Finding 58940 (2022-005)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-05-31
Audit: 56341
Organization: Polk County, Florida (FL)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Significant deficiencies in internal controls over compliance with reporting requirements for the Covid-19 Fiscal Recovery Funds.
  • Impacted Requirements: Inaccurate reporting of obligations, expenditures, and entity types in quarterly Project and Expenditure Reports.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Correct future reports, ensure timely reconciliation of transactions, and clarify entity classifications to improve accuracy.

Finding Text

2022-005-Reporting Federal Agency: U.S. Department of the Treasury Federal Program Name: Covid-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Award Identification Number: Z1890 Award Period: March 3, 2021 through December 31, 2026 Type of Finding: ? Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance ? Other Matters Criteria or specific requirement: The U.S. Treasury Department's current version of its Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Guidance on Recipient Compliance and Reporting Responsibilities (collectively, the "SLFRF Guidance") provides information on the reporting requirements of the program. During the audit period, the Interim Report and quarterly Project and Expenditure Reports were required under this guidance. Condition: The quarterly Project and Expenditure Reports contain key line items under the following three subcategories: 1) Obligations and Expenditures, 2) Subawards, and 3) Detailed information on any loans issued; contracts and grants awarded; transfers made to other government entities; and direct payments made by the recipient that are greater than $50,000. Questioned costs: N/A Context: The auditors selected and tested a statistically valid sample of 10 organizations reported on the interim report and all 4 quarterly reports until a total sample of 40 items were tested. See the chart below for identified exceptions. Exception Type Number of Items Tested Number of Exceptions Missing key line-item data excluded from quarterly report 8 8 Entity type (subrecipient, beneficiary, contractor) reported was not accurate 40 23 Expenditure amount did not agree to schedule of expenditures 40 6 Obligated amounts per Organization?s contract did not agree with value reported as obligated on quarterly reports 40 40 Obligated amount was not reported in a timely manner 40 2 Cause: The key personnel assigned to reporting did not fully understand the distinction between subrecipients, contractors, and beneficiaries. Additionally, the nuances of the reporting portal caused errors for reporting obligations verse expenditures and therefore obligations reported had errors. Effect: Inaccurate data reported to the Treasury could impact the allowed funding the County can earn for these funds. Repeat Finding: No. Recommendation: We recommend corrections to quarterly reports be made in subsequent quarterly reports to ensure obligations match actuality. We recommend timely reconciliation of accounting transactions to allow for accurate reporting of expenditures through the quarter. Additionally, we recommend careful consideration of assignment for type of entity for which the County enters transactions with related to this funding. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Corrective Action Plan

U.S. Department of the Treasury 2022-005 Covid-19 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds - Assistance Listing No. 21.027 Recommendation: We recommend corrections to quarterly reports be made in subsequent quarterly reports to ensure obligations match actuality. We recommend timely reconciliation of accounting transactions to allow for accurate reporting of expenditures through the quarter. Additionally, we recommend careful consideration of assignment for type of entity for which the County enters transactions with related to this funding. Explanation of disagreement with audit finding: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: The COVID-19 funds were distributed under an emergency declaration due to the worldwide pandemic and had to be administered by staff with limited grant experience. The County is implementing processes and procedures regarding the reconciliation of transactions to ensure accurate reporting of expenditures for each quarter and to make any necessary corrections in subsequent quarterly reports. Processes and procedures are also being implemented to properly identify subrecipients, contractors, and beneficiaries. Staff will review the most recent Federal guidance, training, and webinars as necessary to ensure they are up to date with the most recent information. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Christia Johnson, Budget and Management Services Director Planned completion date for corrective action plan: June 30, 2023

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Reporting Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 58934 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 58935 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 58936 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 58937 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 58938 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 58939 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 58941 2022-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 58942 2022-007
    Significant Deficiency
  • 58943 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 58944 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 635376 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 635377 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 635378 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 635379 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 635380 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 635381 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency Repeat
  • 635382 2022-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 635383 2022-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 635384 2022-007
    Significant Deficiency
  • 635385 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 635386 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $4.92M
21.023 Emergency Rental Assistance Program $3.62M
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $889,844
20.219 Recreational Trails Program $488,294
14.218 Community Development Block Grants/entitlement Grants $412,342
14.231 Emergency Solutions Grant Program $382,972
45.310 Grants to States $348,351
93.563 Child Support Enforcement $287,119
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $274,480
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $187,572
93.958 Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services $184,346
93.959 Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse $99,548
16.738 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program $94,906
20.505 Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning and Research $85,928
93.575 Child Care and Development Block Grant $72,683
93.498 Provider Relief Fund $70,974
15.631 Partners for Fish and Wildlife $70,956
93.556 Promoting Safe and Stable Families $39,701
14.239 Home Investment Partnerships Program $36,631
94.002 Retired and Senior Volunteer Program $31,414
97.039 Hazard Mitigation Grant $15,900
97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants $12,329
90.404 2018 Hava Election Security Grants $7,989
16.812 Second Chance Act Reentry Initiative $5,583