MONTACHUSETT VETERANS OUTREACH CENTER, INC.Non-Profit

2024-001 – Allowable Costs – Internal Control over Payroll and Non-Payroll Costs Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Federal Programs: Veteran Affairs Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program (GPD) – Assistance Listing No. 64.024, Grant Period – October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2025.Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program (SSPG) – Assistance Listing No. 64.055, Grant Period – September 30, 2023 through September 30, 2024. Condition:Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. (MVOC) did not follow its internal control policies and procedures for payroll and non-payroll costs charged to the federal awards. The allocation methodology used to charge payroll and non-payroll transactions to the Federal Award programs was not properly supported for multiple sampled transactions. Criteria: In accordance with Department of Veteran Affairs program guides for each program (the Guide), allowable expenses must meet all the requirements in 2 C.F.R. § 200 which requires expenses charged to the grants to be allocated consistently with a sound methodology and be clearly documented. Additionally, the Guide indicates allowable expenses must meet all the requirements in 2 C.F.R. § 200.403 part (d) and (g), except where otherwise authorized by statute, costs must meet the following criteria to be allowable under Federal awards: (d) be accorded consistent treatment and (g) be adequately documented when charged to a federal award. Cause: A formal cost allocation plan was not followed for expensed transactions. Additionally, multiple employee’s bi-weekly timesheets were not properly signed or approved. Effect: Costs charged to the grants may not be allowable for reimbursement by MVOC’s federal funding sources Context: Twelve out of twenty three non-payroll charges lacked supporting documentation for the amount allocated to the grant. Twenty seven out of fifty seven payroll transactions sampled lacked supporting documentation for the amount allocated to the grant. Additionally, those transactions lacked evidence of review by employee or supervisor. Our sample was not a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs: GPD - $18,440 SSPG - $30,121 Recommendation: We recommend that MVOC, update its policies and procedures to help ensure effective internal controls are in place and implemented to adequately support allocations, and amounts charged to the Federal Awards. Management Response: Management agrees with the finding. See management’s attached corrective action plan.