Finding 576759 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-10-03
Audit: 588

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Inadequate documentation for costs charged to federal programs, specifically the Aging Cluster, leading to non-compliance with allowable cost principles.
  • Impacted Requirements: Title 2 U.S. Code Part 200.403(g) mandates that all costs must be properly documented to be considered allowable.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should enhance internal controls and record retention practices, especially during periods of staff turnover.

Finding Text

2022-002 Significant Deficiency in Compliance and Internal Controls over Compliance - Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Identification of federal program: 93.044,93.045,93.053 Aging Cluster Criteria: Title 2 U.S. Code Part 200.403(g) requires that for costs charged to a federal program to be allowable, they must be adequately documented. Condition: Certain approved costs charged to this program by management were unable to be substantiated by through adequate payroll and purchasing documentation supporting the allocated expense. Cause: There was a significant amount of turnover in key positions for both accounting and management with limited personnel working for during the course of the year under audit and consequently some of the supporting documentation was not sufficiently maintained. Effect or potential effect: Documentation for some costs charged to the program via allocation of cost pools were not supported in accordance with allowable cost principles. Questioned Costs: $8,180 Known $116,687 Likely. Context: During sample testing for allowable costs, we identified 12 out of 22 transactions (error rate of 54.5%) where documentation of underlying support for cost was not able to be located or identified. Management charges costs to grants based on cost pools created via monthly expenditure reports exported directly from the financial system. Of 40 samples tested, 22 were allocations and no deviations were noted in sample testing of 18 direct expenditures. Expenditures tested via sampling were $315,093. Cost charged via allocations were 68% of the population sampled. Identification of Repeat Finding: Not applicable. Recommendations: We recommend management ensure its internal control design and procedures account for proper record retention during unusual circumstances such as a period of turnover and limited personnel. Views of Responsible Officials: See Corrective Action Plan

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 313 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 314 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 315 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 316 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 317 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 318 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 576755 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 576756 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 576757 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 576758 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 576760 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.045 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part C_nutrition Services $550,113
93.044 Special Programs for the Aging_title Iii, Part B_grants for Supportive Services and Senior Centers $173,808
93.053 Nutrition Services Incentive Program $106,709
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $75,000
93.052 National Family Caregiver Support, Title Iii, Part E $57,852