Finding 635385 (2022-004)

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

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance, specifically a lack of review for financial and performance reports related to federal grants.
  • Impacted Requirements: The County must comply with laws and regulations, ensuring internal controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance of compliance.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Review GFOA's Best Practices for Internal Control for Grants and implement processes to maintain oversight during staff turnover, including cross-training personnel.

Finding Text

2022 ? 004-Controls Over Reporting Federal Agency: U.S. Department of the Treasury Federal Program Name: Covid-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Assistance Listing Number: 21.023 Federal Award Identification Number: 1505-0266 and 1505-0270 Award Period: September 30, 2021-September 30, 2022, for ERA1 and May 10, 2021 through September 30, 2025 for ERA 2 Type of Finding: ? Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or specific requirement: As a condition of receiving federal awards, non-federal entities agree to comply with laws, regulations, and the provisions of grant agreements and contracts, and to also maintain internal control to provide reasonable assurance of compliance within these requirements. The County management is responsible for establishing and maintaining internal controls over grants. Condition/Context: Auditor selected and tested a statistically valid sample of 5 financial reports and 8 performance reports from the audit period. There was no evidence of review performed on any of the 13 reports. Questioned costs: N/A Cause: During the audit period there was turnover in grant management. Reports that were previously prepared by a knowledgeable member and then reviewed by the HND Manager discontinued to be reviewed after the departure of the HND Manager. There was no assigned replacement for the review process since the original preparer ultimately was promoted into the HND Manager roll. Effect: A lack of review can cause errors to go undetected in the reporting to the grantor. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend the County review Government Finance Officers Association's (GFOA) Best Practices for Internal Control for Grants published September 1, 2022, and update internal processes to ensure tasks and review of tasks continue even during periods of staff turnover or vacancies. The County should consider cross-training personnel to allow preparation of certain reports to be prepared and reviewed by separate knowledgeable individuals. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.

Categories

Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Reporting Significant Deficiency Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Special Tests & Provisions

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
  • 58940 2022-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 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
  • 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