Finding Text
Finding 2022-004
Program Affected
Under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - Award Year October 1, 2021 - September 30, 2022:
Assistance Listing 93.262 Occupational Safety and Health Program
Criteria
2 CFR §200.430(i) specifies that "Charges to Federal awards for salaries and wages must be based on records that accurately reflect the work performed. These records must: Be supported by a system of internal control which provides reasonable assurance that the charges are accurate, allowable, and properly allocated..."
Condition and Context
During our program audit procedures related to the payroll cycle, we noted an internal control deficiency related to allocation of payroll costs among federally funded programs. Management did not perform sufficient review of payroll allocations to identify that some payroll expenses were being recorded in excess of readily available wage and time and effort data. We tested a nonstatistical sample of 13, totaling $100,952 from a population totaling $672,541.
Cause and Effect
The condition identified was caused by infrequent and periodic review of program-related payroll costs which were reconciled on a biannual basis. This process did not occur on a pay period basis. This resulted in an overstatement of program-related payroll expenses of $6,348.
Questioned Costs
$6,348
Identification as a Repeat Finding, if Applicable
Not applicable.
Recommendation
We recommend the Organization strengthen controls surrounding program-related record keeping, including increasing the frequency of reconciliations and program wage allocation procedures to match the payroll cycle.
Views of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Plan
Management agrees with the finding. See attached Corrective Action Plan.