Finding 571920 (2021-004)

Finding 2021-004 – Internal Controls and Noncompliance Over the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) PASS THROUGH GRANTOR: Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services FEDERAL AGENCY: U.S. Department of the Treasury ASSISTANCE LISTING: 21.019 FEDERAL PROGRAM NAME: Coronavirus Relief Fund FEDERAL AWARD YEAR: 2021 CONTROL CATEGORY: Activities Allowed or Unallowed; Allowable Costs/Cost Principles; Period of Performance QUESTIONED COSTS: $-0- Condition: During our review and reconciliation of the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA) as initially prepared by the County, we identified federal programs that were not listed accurately which resulted in federal expenditures being understated by $180,089. Cause of Condition: Policies and procedures have not been designed and implemented to ensure accurate reporting of expenditures for all federal awards. Effect of Condition: This condition resulted in inaccurate recording of the federal expenditures on the SEFA. This condition could result in the failure to identify Single Audit requirements. Recommendation: OSAI recommends county officials and department heads gain an understanding of federal programs awarded to Choctaw County. Internal control policies and procedures should be designed and implemented to ensure accurate reporting of expenditures on the SEFA and to ensure compliance with federal requirements. Management Response: Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners: We will adopt procedures and implement to ensure accurate reporting of expenditures on the SEFA and to ensure compliance with federal requirements. County Clerk: We will pay more attention to what is being put on SEFA schedule. County Treasurer: I will do my part in correcting this issue to make sure that all qualifying expenditures are reported accurately in the future. Criteria: 2 CFR § 200.303(a) Internal Controls reads as follows: The non-Federal entity must: Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in “Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government” issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the “Internal Control Integrated Framework”, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). 2 CFR § 200.508(b) Auditee responsibilities reads as follows: The auditee must: Prepare appropriate financial statements, including the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards in accordance with §200.510 Financial statements. 2 CFR § 200.510(b) Financial statements reads as follows: Schedule of expenditures of Federal awards. The auditee must also prepare a schedule of expenditures of Federal awards for the period covered by the auditee's financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with §200.502 Basis for determining Federal awards expended. Further, GAO Standards – Section 2 – Establishing an Effective Internal Control System - Objectives of an Entity - OV2.23 states in part: Compliance Objective Management conducts activities in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. As part of specifying compliance objectives, the entity determines which laws and regulations apply to the entity. Management is expected to set objectives that incorporate these requirements.