Kent State University

EIN: 316402079

UEI: KXNVA7JCC5K6

Data as of August 25, 2026

Kent State University10 audit years1 findings
10
Audit Years
1
Total Findings
0
Repeat Findings

FY 2023-06-30

Management decision deadline — for entities that funded this organization

The FAC accepted this audit on November 28, 2023. Under 2 CFR 200.521(d), a pass-through entity that provided federal funds to this organization for this audit period must issue a management decision on these findings by May 28, 2024 (820 days ago).

What is a management decision? →
2023-001
Activities Allowed or Unallowed / Cost Allowability / Period of Performance / Reporting
QUESTIONED COSTS

Criteria or specific requirement (including statutory, regulatory, or other citation) - During the fiscal years June 30, 2018 to June 30, 2023, the University incurred unallowed expenditures for a federal grant that were not identified by the internal controls in place over the grant program. According to 2 CFR § 200.413, Direct Costs, direct costs are those costs that can be directly assigned to a direct cost activity with a high degree of accuracy. In addition, according to 2 CFR § 200.516, Audit Findings, the auditor must report known fraud affecting a federal award as well as known questioned costs that are greater than $25,000 for a federal program which is not audited as a major program, as an audit finding. Condition- From fiscal year 2018 through 2023, the University was not able to support that expenses paid from a federal grant for salary, benefits, and travel and other expense reimbursements for an adjunct faculty member were related to allowable activities to eligible clients under the terms of the grant agreement due to false reporting by the adjunct faculty member. More specifically, the adjunct faculty member misrepresented that services were or would be provided per the terms of the grant to eligible clients. In addition, the adjunct faculty member provided false reporting of the impact of services provided to the clients and utilized fraudulent documentation as evidence for their work performed. As a result, the University was reimbursed for expenses by the grant related to services that were not provided or were unallowable. Cause - Lack of oversight and insufficient review of work performed of adjunct faculty member. Effect- The University was reimbursed federal grant monies for work that was not performed under the terms and conditions of the grant award. Questioned costs - For fiscal years 2018 to 2023, questioned costs totaled $209,101. Identification as a repeat finding - Not applicable – this matter is not a repeat finding Recommendation - We recommend the University, along with the internal audit function, continue to emphasize with staff existing job responsibilities, the critical task of secondary reviews and thoroughness of those reviews. The reviews should include ensuring compliance with grant terms and conditions, as well as adequate documentation is provided and maintained to support the federal expenditure and the secondary reviews.

Show full finding ▾
Full finding narrative

Criteria or specific requirement (including statutory, regulatory, or other citation) - During the fiscal years June 30, 2018 to June 30, 2023, the University incurred unallowed expenditures for a federal grant that were not identified by the internal controls in place over the grant program. According to 2 CFR § 200.413, Direct Costs, direct costs are those costs that can be directly assigned to a direct cost activity with a high degree of accuracy. In addition, according to 2 CFR § 200.516, Audit Findings, the auditor must report known fraud affecting a federal award as well as known questioned costs that are greater than $25,000 for a federal program which is not audited as a major program, as an audit finding. Condition- From fiscal year 2018 through 2023, the University was not able to support that expenses paid from a federal grant for salary, benefits, and travel and other expense reimbursements for an adjunct faculty member were related to allowable activities to eligible clients under the terms of the grant agreement due to false reporting by the adjunct faculty member. More specifically, the adjunct faculty member misrepresented that services were or would be provided per the terms of the grant to eligible clients. In addition, the adjunct faculty member provided false reporting of the impact of services provided to the clients and utilized fraudulent documentation as evidence for their work performed. As a result, the University was reimbursed for expenses by the grant related to services that were not provided or were unallowable. Cause - Lack of oversight and insufficient review of work performed of adjunct faculty member. Effect- The University was reimbursed federal grant monies for work that was not performed under the terms and conditions of the grant award. Questioned costs - For fiscal years 2018 to 2023, questioned costs totaled $209,101. Identification as a repeat finding - Not applicable – this matter is not a repeat finding Recommendation - We recommend the University, along with the internal audit function, continue to emphasize with staff existing job responsibilities, the critical task of secondary reviews and thoroughness of those reviews. The reviews should include ensuring compliance with grant terms and conditions, as well as adequate documentation is provided and maintained to support the federal expenditure and the secondary reviews.

Corrective Action Plan

Upon learning of the possibility of frauduelent activity, the University began an internal audit review and all activity on the grant was stopped. Throughout the process, the University coordinated with the Ohio Department of Development. The internal audit procedures led to the determination that $209,101 was incorrectly reported by the program advisor and was not detected by the program director. These funds were returned to the Ohio Department of Development on October 11, 2023. The program has been termianted and program income returned. The individuals involved with this program are no longer employees of the University. The University is in the process of seeking reimbursement from the former employee. An internal controls questionnaire was prepared and reviewed for the other Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program noting no areas of concern. The FY24 internal audit plan will include additional review of the remaining SBDC program as well as review of controls within the department which previously managed the program noted in the finding. In addition, training related to roles and responsibilities for supervisors/approvers will be provided in FY24 to emphasize the guidance provided in the grants manual. Contact person responsible for the corrective action: Mark Polatajko, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration.

About Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs / Cost Principles, Period of Performance, Reporting →

Data source: This information comes from the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, the official repository of Single Audit data. All data is public domain. Verify this organization's audit history at fac.gov.

Are you this organization?

Track your findings and corrective action plans across audit cycles.

Start tracking findings →

Do you fund this organization?

Monitor subrecipient audit findings and compliance status.

Start monitoring →

Product

Resources

Legal

Single Audit Intelligence is an independent tool powered by Federal Audit Clearinghouse data. Not affiliated with GSA, OMB, or any federal agency.

© 2026 Single Audit Intelligence. All data is public domain.