Finding 612610 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-06-11
Audit: 26976
Organization: Upper Columbia United Tribes (WA)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: UCUT used an outdated indirect cost rate agreement, leading to an overestimation of costs in reimbursement requests.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 and effective internal controls over Federal awards were not maintained.
  • Recommended Follow-up: Review and update policies to ensure accurate reporting of expenditures on the SEFA after FEMA approval and when eligible costs are incurred.

Finding Text

Condition/Context UCUT applied an outdated Indirect cost rate agreement (ICRA) to its reimbursement requests. The updated indirect cost rate was effective as of June 10, 2022 which reduced the ICRA by 12.51%. Criteria 2 CFR Part 200, Appendix VII, section D1 states that All departments or agencies of the governmental unit desiring to claim indirect costs under Federal awards must prepare an indirect cost rate proposal and related documentation to support those costs. The approved indirect costs rate agreement received by UCUT indicated a indirect cost rate that should be applied to a base that included total direct costs, less capital expenditures and passthrough funds. Per 2 CFR 200.303 a non-Federal entity must 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). Cause UCUT received an updated ICRA and did not update the amounts utilized in the reimbursement requests. Questioned Costs None. $22,070 Effect UCUT requested an additional $22,070 of indirect costs from the grantor. Recommendation We recommend that the Tribe review its policies and procedures to ensure that it reports expenditures on the SEFA when (1) FEMA has approved the nonfederal entity?s PW, and (2) it has incurred the eligible expenditures. Federal awards expended in years subsequent to the fiscal year in which the PW is approved are to be recorded on the nonfederal entity?s SEFA in those subsequent years.

Categories

Questioned Costs Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Cash Management Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 36168 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 36169 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 612611 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
15.036 Indian Rights Protection $699,087
81.U01 Fish and Wildlife Administraiton $512,612
15.024 Indian Self-Determination Contract Support $141,530