Finding 570919 (2023-005)

-
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2025-07-10
Audit: 361880
Organization: YWCA New Hampshire (NH)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Payroll charges for the grant were based on management-set percentages, not actual hours worked, violating time and effort documentation requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.430 is necessary to ensure proper allocation of employee time to federal programs.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a system for tracking and documenting actual hours worked by employees for each grant program to ensure accurate expense allocation.

Finding Text

Criteria: Time and effort requirements state that employee time must be maintained with sufficient documentation to provide for appropriate allocation to the federal program. Time and effort requirements are outlined in 2 CFR 200.430. 32 Condition: Payroll charges for the grant were based on a percentage of time by employee. This percentage was based on management’s decision and set when budgeting; the percentage charged to the grant was not based on actual hours worked. Cause: Payroll was processed by an outside service provider based on information provided by management. Management did not require the breakdown of hours as it relates to the federal programs which were being charged. Management was unaware of this time and effort requirement. Effect or potential effect: The costs submitted for reimbursement under the grant may not be appropriate. The failure to report time appropriately and allocate by program could increase the risk of errors in amounts reported as expended. Questioned costs: The questioned costs are unknown, as the amount of payroll that could have been inappropriately charged to the grant is unable to be recalculated at this time. The true allocation of hours was not recorded. Context: The YWCA New Hampshire expended in excess of $750,000 in federal awards and assistance during the year ending June 30, 2023 requiring a compliance audit in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. The organization has not required a compliance audit in previous years and management was not aware of the various requirements of the Uniform Guidance. The payroll deficiencies were a systemic problem noted during the audit. Recommendation: We recommend that time and effort be maintained in accordance with the Uniform Guidance. We recommend that employees clearly identify hours by grant program for appropriate allocation of the expenses. Views of Responsible Officials: YWCA New Hampshire’s management concurs with this audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Description of Finding: Payroll charges for grants were based on a percentage of time reported by employees. The percentage was based on management’s decision and set when budgeting and not based on actual hours worked. There was not sufficient documentation to provide the basis for an appropriate allocation of payroll charges to the federal program. Planned Corrective Action: To ensure accurate payroll allocation to federal programs, YWCA New Hampshire will implement the following: 1. Time and Effort Reporting: Implement a time and effort reporting system by August 31, 2025, requiring employees to track actual hours worked on grant-funded activities weekly. 2. Policy Update: Revise the Payroll Allocation Policy to mandate that payroll charges to grants be based on actual hours worked, supported by time and effort reports. 3. Training: Train all grant-funded employees and supervisors on the time and effort reporting system by September 15, 2025. 4. Certification Process: Require employees and supervisors to certify time and effort reports monthly, with certifications retained for audit purposes. 36 5. Monitoring: The Finance Manager will review time and effort reports quarterly to ensure accurate allocation, with findings reported to the Executive Director. Responsible Party: Finance Manager, overseen by Caroline Catlender, Executive Director Anticipated Completion Date: September 30, 2025

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $252,827
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $173,991
93.493 Congressional Directives $94,240
14.267 Continuum of Care Program $60,543
16.736 Transitional Housing Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Stalking, Or Sexual Assault $36,334
16.017 Sexual Assault Services Formula Program $31,629
93.671 Family Violence Prevention and Services/domestic Violence Shelter and Supportive Services $28,302
93.136 Injury Prevention and Control Research and State and Community Based Programs $15,310
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $10,000
16.588 Violence Against Women Formula Grants $9,321