Finding 975415 (2023-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
BC
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-05-30

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: There is a significant deficiency in internal controls over compliance related to grant reimbursement requests.
  • Impacted Requirements: The Organization must ensure completeness and accuracy in grant reimbursements, including proper documentation and review processes.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement policies for thorough documentation and review of grant reimbursements, ensuring sign-offs and dates are included; corrective actions are planned by December 31, 2024.

Finding Text

Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Defense Federal Program Name or Cluster: Research and Development Cluster Assistance Listing Number: 12.RD Federal Award Identification Number and Year: SP4701-20-C-0076; SP4701-22-D-0120 Pass-Through Agencies: N/A Pass-Through Number: N/A Award Period: September 23, 2020 through April 30, 2024; February 14, 2022 through February 13, 2025 Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria or Specific Requirement: The Organization is required to maintain controls to ensure the completeness and accuracy of grant reimbursement requests, including the determination of indirect costs. The Organization is also required to maintain supporting documentation for the submitted grant reimbursement requests. Condition: Through audit procedures performed, we noted 2 grant reimbursements that were prepared by a single individual without documented review and approval. Questioned Costs: None Context: Two errors were identified in a total of eight grant reimbursements tested. Cause: Unknown Effect: Inadequate review or lack of an audit trail for submitted grant reimbursements could result in improper funding received by the Organization from the granting agency. Repeat Finding: This is not a repeat finding. Recommendation: We recommend that the Organization follow the current policies and procedures over grant reimbursement transactions to maintain documentation supporting the request. This should include all supporting documentation and back-up, and preparer and reviewer sign-offs and dates. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. The Society was short of trained billing staff due to employee leave and has provided training to additional back-up staff for future use. Name of the contact person responsible for corrective action: Kelly Moritz, Vice President of Finance and Contracts. Planned completion date for corrective action plan: December 31, 2024

Categories

Cash Management Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 398972 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 398973 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 398974 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 975414 2023-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 975416 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
12.RD Steel Technology Advanced Research $4.52M
12.RD Steel Performance Initiative $2.22M
12.RD Innovative Casting Technologies $202,651
12.800 Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program $20,000
12.RD Casting Procurement Readiness and Acquisition Improvement Through Cast-It Major Subordinate Command Support $3,606