Finding Text
Finding No. 2022-001 ? Reporting Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture Program: Child Nutrition Cluster ? National School Lunch Program: ALN: 10.555 Criteria: The Organization must submit monthly claims for reimbursement for meals and snacks served to eligible students within 60 days following the last day of the month covered by the claim. Each month?s claim for reimbursement and all data used in the claims review process must be maintained on file. Accurate records must be maintained justifying all meals claimed and documenting that all program funds were spent only on allowable child nutrition program costs. Condition: Of the 3 monthly claims that we selected for test work, we identified 1 monthly claim submitted for reimbursement to the State agency that did not agree to supporting records indicating the meals served for one site were 2,839 and actual meals served were 2,246, overstating meals served by 593. Questioned Costs: $2,170 which consisted of 593 meals claimed for reimbursement at the applicable rate that were not served. Prevalence: Identified in 1 out of 3 monthly reports tested. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Effect: Failure to properly review claims for reimbursement could lead to noncompliance and potential questioned costs or termination of funding from the program for lack of controls over compliance requirements. Cause: The Organization did not have a process in place to review the claim for reimbursement after it was entered into the State agency?s system and prior to submission. Due to lack of review prior to submitting the claim for reimbursement potential errors were not identified timely which resulted in the Organization being improperly reimbursed for meals served. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization implement an additional layer of review of the claims to supporting records prior to submission for reimbursement. View of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: Management agrees with the finding.