Finding Text
2022-006 -FINDING - Insufficient Controls over Expenses Charged to TRIO Grant Federal Agency: Department of Education Assistance Listing Number: 84.042 Program Names and Award Numbers: TRIO ? Student Support Services, P042A200421 Program Expenditures: $809,380 Questioned Costs: $19,174 Northeastern Illinois University (University) charged unallowable expenditures to the Federal TRIO Program (TRIO) - Student Support Services grant During the testing of 40 expenditures selected from all of the TRIO grants, we noted one (3%) expenditure from the TRIO Student Support Services grant was an unallowable direct cost. It was for a legal settlement of $17,500 paid to an employee plus directly associated costs of $1,674. There was no approval request sent to the Department of Education. The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.441) state that costs resulting from non-Federal entity violations of, alleged violations of, or failure to comply with, Federal, state, tribal, local or foreign laws and regulations are unallowable, except when incurred as a result of compliance with specific provisions of the Federal award, or with prior written approval of the Federal awarding agency. Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200.303(a)) requires nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain effective internal control designed to reasonably ensure compliance with Federal laws, statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award. Effective internal controls should include procedures to ensure that all allowability policies are followed. University officials stated, there was inadequate communication between the departments involved. Failure to adequately review costs allowable under the uniform guidance principles resulted in the University overstating expenditures charged to the grant. (Finding Code No. 2022-006) RECOMMENDATION - We recommend the University ensure costs charged to grants are allowable under the Uniform Guidance. UNIVERSITY?S RESPONSE - The University agrees with the recommendation.