Finding 961225 (2022-003)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2024-03-26

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The organization lacks proper tracking of employee time and effort related to grant expenses, leading to significant deficiencies in internal controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: Noncompliance with 2 CFR sections 200.303 and 200.430 regarding internal controls and documentation of payroll disbursements.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a formal policy for tracking employee time, adjust budget allocations based on actual hours worked, and have a knowledgeable reviewer oversee the process.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of the Treasury Federal Program Name: Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Assistance Listing Number: 21.027 Federal Award Identification Number and Year: N/A Pass-Through Agency: State of Arizona, the Office of the Governor Pass-Through Number(s): GR-ARPA-AHCA-050122-01 Award Period: May 1, 2022 - June 30, 2024 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance and Other Matters Condition/Context: Although management had processes and procedures in place to allocate budgeted employee time and costs to their grant award program, management either did not maintain or did not perform procedure to formally track employees' actual time and effort. Criteria or specific requirement: In accordance with the Compliance Supplement, Part 6 – Internal Control, 2 CFR section 200.303 requires that nonfederal entities receiving federal awards establish and maintain internal control over the federal awards that provides reasonable assurance that the nonfederal entity is managing the federal awards in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal awards. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.430 (a), costs of compensation are allowable to the extent that they satisfy the specific requirements of this part, and that the total compensation for individual employees: (1) Is reasonable for the services rendered and conforms to the established written policy of the non- Federal entity consistently applied to both Federal and non-Federal activities; (2) Follows an appointment made in accordance with a non-Federal entity's laws and/or rules or written policies and meets the requirements of Federal statute, where applicable; and (3) Is determined and supported as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, when applicable. In accordance with 2 CFR 200.430 (g), for compensation to members of nonprofit organizations, trustees, directors, associates, officers, or the immediate families thereof, determination must be made that such compensation is reasonable for the actual personal services rendered rather than a distribution of earnings in excess of costs. This may include director's and executive committee member's fees, incentive awards, allowances for off-site pay, incentive pay, location allowances, hardship pay, and cost-of-living differentials. Questioned costs: None. Cause: The Organization did not have established internal controls and policies over the documentation of time and effort related to payroll disbursements. Because of the limited number of staff participating in the grant, management was aware that the actual time spent by employees met or exceeded the budgeted allocations. Effect: The Organization was not in compliance with the Compliance Supplement and the Code of Federal Regulations related to the documentation of time and effort provisions for payroll disbursements. Repeat Finding: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Association adopt a formal policy for tracking employee time and effort supporting grant expenses. Additionally, management should summarize the actual time employees spend on grant award programs and adjust the budgeted cost allocations to reflect the actual time spent. A second person knowledgeable of grant award requirements should review the time and effort summaries for proper completion and recording. This will help ensure that internal controls over compliance are established and will help ensure that cost charged to grant award programs are supported and allowable. Views of responsible officials: Management agrees with the audit condition.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 384783 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 384784 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 961226 2022-004
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
21.027 Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $1.59M
93.889 National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program $300,000