Finding Text
Reference Number: 2022-002Federal Agency: U.S. Department of EducationFederal Program: Education Stabilization FundAssistance Listing Number: 84.425F, 84.425E, 84.425MAward Number and Period: P425M200011, May 5, 2020 ? June 30, 2023; P425F200021,May 4, 2020 ? June 30, 2023; P425E200504, April 22, 2020 ?May 11, 2022Compliance Requirement: Allowable Costs/Cost PrinciplesType of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Controls over Compliance, Other MattersCriteria or specific requirement:Per HEERF III, FAQ Question 22 (Issued May 11, 2021), Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) grant funds must not be used for senior administrator or executive salaries, benefits, bonuses, contracts, incentives, stock buybacks, shareholder dividends, capital distributions, and stock options, or any other cash or other benefit for a senior administrator or executive.Condition:The College used HEERF grant funds to pay 3 executives a special payment for working in person through the pandemic.Context:As part of the review of HEERF grant funds paid to employees, CLA identified 3 executives that received a special payment.Cause:The College did not have controls in place to ensure payments made to senior administrator or executives were not funded with grants funds. Management was not aware of the specific requirement for senior administrator or executive compensation.Effect:The College made payments to executives that were not eligible to receive grant funds.Repeat Finding: NoQuestioned Costs:$23,016Recommendation:We recommend the College review current procedures to ensure all grant regulations are being followed prior to payments.Views of Responsible Officials:Management agrees with the finding.