Finding 573040 (2024-002)

- Repeat Finding
Requirement
M
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2025-08-07
Audit: 363920
Organization: The Chamber Foundation (ND)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Chamber Foundation failed to properly monitor subrecipients, missing required audits and necessary information in subawards.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with Uniform Guidance (2 CFR sections 200.331) regarding subrecipient audits and identification.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure yearly audit requests are made and include all required details in subawards to meet compliance standards.

Finding Text

Federal Program: AL 11.307 – Economic Adjustment Assistance Criteria: Uniform Guidance requires, for any funds passed through to a subrecipient, that the pass-through entity (The Chamber Foundation) must perform certain activities to ensure that the subrecipient uses funds within provisions of the grant award and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR sections 200.331 (d) through (f)). This includes review of independent audits of subrecipients and response to deficiencies detected through audits (2 CFR section 200.331(f)). It also includes requiring all subawards granted to subrecipients have specific identifications with the award to ensure the subaward is clearly identifiable (2 CFR Section 200.331(a)). Condition: For the four-month period from September 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, we reviewed the Foundation’s subrecipient internal controls, requesting supporting documentation for monitoring activities included, and interviewed key members of management when documentation was not available. Performance of several of the policies noted as required under Unform Guidance for subrecipient monitoring and per the Foundation’s internal controls could not be substantiated or were determined to not have occurred during the year under audit. Cause: Due to internal control deficiency noted in 2024-001, the subrecipient monitoring requirement was not in compliance during the year. Context: Of the federal expenditures under the program noted, $91,125 are passed through to subrecipients. The following are specific items noted that were not in compliance with the criteria listed above: - We requested copies of the correspondence with subrecipients requesting copies of the financial statement audits performed in compliance with 2 CFR 200. Follow up discussion with the Chamber Foundation staff confirmed that this requirement was not completed during the year under audit. Subsequently, of the four subrecipient audit reports required to be requested, zero were requested. - We requested copies of all subawards awarded to subrecipients. Of the four subawards awarded to pass-through entities, one was missing the following required information under (2 CFR Section 200.331(a)): o Subrecipient’s unique entity identifier. Effect: Increased risk of potential noncompliance with subrecipient monitoring requirements under Uniform Guidance. Questioned costs: None Recommendation: The Foundation should request yearly audit reports as determined by 2 CFR 200. Additionally, the entity should include all required information as determined in CFR Section 200.331(a) in all subawards. Views of Responsible Officials: Management recognizes the deficiency and plans to implement the auditor’s recommendations. Indication of Repeat Finding: This is a repeat finding of August 31, 2024 - 003 from the prior year.

Corrective Action Plan

Person responsible for corrective action: Nicole Meland, Vice President of Finance and Operations Responsible official’s response: Management is in agreement with this finding. Corrective action planned: The Chamber Foundation has subsequently requested all audit reports from all subrecipients. Additionally, the Chamber Foundation has changed subaward formatting to ensure that all required information is included within the award. Planned implementation date of corrective action: Ongoing

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 573039 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1149481 2024-001
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1149482 2024-002
    - Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
11.307 Economic Adjustment Assistance $584,245
47.084 Nsf Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships $60,691
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $45,513