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FINDING 2022-004 Subject: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund - Reporting Federal Agency: Department of Education Federal Program: COVID-19 - Education Stabilization Fund Assistance Listings Number: 84.425 Federal Award Numbers and Years or (Other Identifying Numbers): S425D200013, S425D210013, S425U210013 Pass-Through Entity: Indiana Department of Education Compliance Requirement: Reporting Audit Findings: Material Weakness, Other Matters Condition and Context An effective internal control system was not designed, nor implemented at the School Corporation to ensure compliance with requirements related to the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. The School Corporation had not designed, nor implemented a system of internal control to ensure that the annual Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) annual data reports (Reports) were complete and accurately submitted. The Reports were prepared by one employee without an oversight, or review process in place to detect and correct errors. Additionally, for one of ten key line items tested the School Corporation did not accurately report the information. The Full-time Equivalent (FTE) positions as of March 13, 2020, and September 30, 2020, as required by the ESSER 1, Year 1 annual data report did not agree with the documentation provided. The lack of internal controls was a systemic issue throughout the audit period. The noncompliance was isolated to the ESSER I, Year 1 report. Criteria 2 CFR 200.303 states in part: "The non-Federal entity must: (a) Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. These internal controls should be in compliance with guidance in 'Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government' issued by the Comptroller General of the United States or the 'Internal Control Integrated Framework', issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). . . ." 2 CFR 200.302(b) states in part: "The financial management system of each non-Federal entity must provide for the following . . . (2) Accurate, current, and complete disclosure of the financial results of each Federal award or program in accordance with the reporting requirements set forth in ?? 200.328 and 200.329. . . ." 34 CFR 76.722 states: "A State may require a subgrantee to submit reports in a manner and format that assists the State in complying with the requirements under 34 CFR 76.720 and in carrying out other responsibilities under the program." Cause Management had not developed, nor implemented a system of internal control that would have ensured compliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. Effect The failure to establish an effective internal control system enabled material noncompliance to go undetected. Noncompliance with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement could result in the loss of future federal funds to the School Corporation. Questioned Costs There were no questioned costs identified. Recommendation We recommended that the School Corporation's management establish internal controls to ensure compliance and comply with the grant agreement and the Reporting compliance requirement. Views of Responsible Officials For the views of responsible officials, refer to the Corrective Action Plan that is part of this report.