Finding 64492 (2022-003)

Material Weakness
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-03-27
Audit: 73872
Organization: Eastern University (PA)
Auditor: Capincrouse LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The University inaccurately reported student grant information and expenditures in the HEERF Annual Report for 2021.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.329 was not met due to reporting discrepancies.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Amend the 2021 annual report when the 2022 reporting portal is available.

Finding Text

Higher Education Stabilization Fund Reporting Material Weakness DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ALN #: 84.425E, 84.425F, 84.425L Federal Award Identification #: P425E202018, P425F202629, P425L200204 Condition: The University did not accurately report their student grant information and institutional expenditures on the HEERF Annual Report for the calendar year 2021. Criteria: 2 CFR 200.329 Questioned Costs: $-0- Context: During the audit, it was identified that the University did not accurately report the total student grants and institutional expenses in the HEERF annual report. The University reviewed what was reported and corrected the report during the audit process. Cause: There was a transition in the key personnel completing the annual report, and part of the information used did not have the correct parameters for the calendar year 2021. Effect: The amounts reported on the annual report to the Department did not agree to the underlying records of the University or the quarterly reports prepared by the University. Identification as repeat finding, if applicable: Not applicable. Recommendation: We recommend the University amend the 2021 annual report when the 2022 reporting cycle opens up the portal. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the finding. See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Higher Education Stabilization Fund Reporting Planned Corrective Action: I have worked with our IT department, specifically the individual that works closely with Financial Aid reports and data, to ensure I have received accurate data in order to correct this report. The IT person who initially provided me with the information for the report is no longer in that department. Additionally, I am working with our former CFO who still works for Eastern on Special Projects to submit the Year 3 report. We are sharing our data with our new CFO and our Director of Accounting and Finance to help close the information gap. Person Responsible for Corrective Action Plan: Andrea L Ruth, Director of Financial Aid Anticipated Date of Completion: 3/24/2023

Categories

Material Weakness Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.268 Federal Direct Student Loans $26.62M
84.425 Covid-19 Education Stabilization Fund Heerf - Student Aid Portion $3.08M
84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program $2.65M
84.031 Higher Education_institutional Aid $641,089
84.425 Covid-19 Education Stabilization Fund Heerf - Minority Serving Institutions $505,572
84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program $456,264
84.425 Covid-19 Education Stabilization Fund Heerf - Institutional Portion $309,892
84.007 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants $195,900
84.033 Federal Work-Study Program $183,545
84.379 Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grants (teach Grants) $23,732