Finding Text
Finding 2023-003 - Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance and Material Noncompliance (Qualified Opinion) - Inadequate Tracking of Expenditures and Retention of Documentation: Activities Allowed or Unallowed: Allowable Costs/Cost Principles and Reporting (A/B/L) for Assistance Listing Number 19.510 and 93.567
Criteria: The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 200.510(b) states in part, “The auditee must also prepare a schedule of federal expenditures for the period covered by the auditee’s consolidated financial statements which must include the total Federal awards expended as determined in accordance with 200.502.” Also, in accordance with CFR Section 200.302(b) - Financial Management, the auditees financial management system must provide 1) identification of all federal awards received and expended; 2) accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each federal award or program; 3) records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally‐funded activities; 4) effective control over, and accountability for, all funds, property, and other assets; 5) comparison of expenditures with budget amounts for each Federal award; 6) written procedures to implement the requirements of section 200.305 and; 7) written procedures for determining the allowability of costs in accordance with Subpart E and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Recipients of federal awards must submit accurate, complete and timely financial and performance reports. The Organization should have internal controls designed to ensure compliance with those provisions. The Organization should retain sufficient documentation such as invoice and allocation support for expenditures to retain documentation for audit purposes.
Condition: During detail testing of expenditures, it was noted that the Organization did not maintain adequate documentation to support how certain costs were allocated to the federal program. Several transactions lacked sufficient detail, such as invoice or expense reimbursement form. Several expenditures selected for testing did not obtain sufficient approval by an individual at the Organization. It was noted that quarterly reports provided to the federal program were not reviewed by an individual at the Organization prior to submission to ensure accurate report of expenditures.
Cause: The Organization does not have an adequate system in place to ensure quarterly reports have sufficient supporting documentation, proper approval/review, and accurate reporting prior to
submission. Responsibilities for expenditure tracking were not clearly assigned, and there was no formal review process in place. The Organization is not following their Document Retention Policy.
Effect: The effect of this condition increases the possibility that quarterly financial reports are misstated or inaccurate and increase the risk of noncompliance with federal requirements. The effect of this condition also increases the risk that expenditures are unallowable per the grant, federal regulations, or cost principles due to the insufficient support of proper approval retained.
Questioned costs: None
Repeat Finding: Yes - 2022-004
Recommendation: Policies and procedures should be in place to ensure quarterly financial reports are properly supported, accurately reported, and adequately approved and reviewed. A formal review process should be established to ensure compliance. The Organization should following the Document Retention Policy that was put in place and required by law.
Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with this finding and their response is included in the Corrective Action Plan.