Finding 573005 (2024-001)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
A
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-08-07
Audit: 363873
Auditor: Cbiz CPAS PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Costs charged to the HIV Emergency Relief Project Grants were based on an outdated allocation methodology, leading to questioned costs of $865.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR § 200.405 on allocable costs was not met, indicating a material weakness in internal controls.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance processes to ensure cost allocation methodologies are updated each reporting period to accurately reflect benefits.

Finding Text

Item: 2024-001 Assistance Listing Number: 93.914 Program: HIV Emergency Relief Project Grants Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass-Through Agencies: Maricopa County Department of Public Health Services Pass-Through Grantor Identifying Number: A23MHSSWC, A24MHSSWC, A23MNSSWC, A24MNSSWC, A23MCMSWC, A24MCMSWC, A23NMCSWC, A24NMCSWC, A23FBMSWC, A24FBMSWC, A24SASSWC Award Year: March 1, 2023 - February 28, 2024; March 1, 2024 - February 28, 2025 Compliance Requirement: Allowable Activities and Costs Criteria: In accordance with 2 CFR § 200.405 – Allocable Costs - (d) If a cost benefits two or more projects or activities in proportions that can be determined without undue effort or cost, the cost must be allocated to the projects based on the proportional benefit. Condition: Costs charged to the federal program were based on an allocation methodology that was not properly updated for the current period. Questioned Costs: $865 Context: During testing of non-payroll costs charged to the program, we received a report from the organization showing the variances between expenses allocated for reimbursement to the program using an incorrect allocation methodology, and the correct amounts that should have been allocated. The variance between the amounts charged and the amounts incurred by the tested program, $10,869 and $10,004, respectively, was $865, which is trivial in nature. However, this is a repeat finding and is deemed to be a material weakness in internal control over compliance. Effect: The system of internal controls was not properly implemented. Cause: Turnover within key positions of the organization resulted in insufficient documentation and/or inadequate implementation of the control procedures. Additionally, issue not discovered until prior year audit discovery in August 2024. Identification as a Repeat Finding: Repeat finding – prior year 2023-002 Recommendation: The Organization should enhance its processes and controls to ensure that cost allocation methodologies utilized to bill federal awards are properly updated each reporting period as deemed necessary to accurately reflect the proportional benefit. Views of Responsible Officials: Management of the Organization concurs with the finding. See Corrective Action Plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Item: 2024-001 Assistance Listing Number: 93.914 Programs: HIV Emergency Relief Project Grants Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pass-through Agency: Maricopa County Department of Public Health Services Compliance Requirement: Allowable Activities and Costs Criteria or Specific Requirement: In accordance with 2 CFR 200.405 - Allocable Costs - (d) If a cost benefits two or more projects or activities in proportions that can be determined without undue effort or cost, the cost must be allocated to the projects based on the proportional benefit. Condition: Costs charged to the federal program were based on an allocation methodology that was not properly updated for the current period. Name of Contact Person: Rosalie Johnson, Chief Financial Officer Phone Number: (602) 595-8109 Anticipated Completion Date: January 1, 2025 Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding. The Organization will update allocations timely going forward.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Cash Management Material Weakness Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 573006 2024-002
    Material Weakness
  • 573007 2024-003
    Material Weakness
  • 1149447 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1149448 2024-002
    Material Weakness
  • 1149449 2024-003
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.914 Hiv Emergency Relief Project Grants $1.05M
93.243 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance $578,136
93.939 Hiv Prevention Activities Non-Governmental Organization Based $506,266
93.940 Hiv Prevention Activities Health Department Based $428,384
93.917 Hiv Care Formula Grants $322,641
93.217 Family Planning Services $312,125
93.977 Sexually Transmitted Diseases (std) Prevention and Control Grants $195,119
93.391 Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local and Territorial (stlt) Health Department Response to Public Health Or Healthcare Crises $19,096