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OMB Circular A-133 Compliance Supplement - Provisional 6/97TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1 - BACKGROUND, PURPOSE, AND APPLICABILITY PART 2 - MATRIX OF COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
PART 3 - COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS PART 4 - AGENCY PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS No. and Agency Name 10 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 17 Department of Labor (DOL) 20 Department of Transportation (DOT) 83 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 84 Department of Education (ED) 93 Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) PART 5 - CLUSTERS OF PROGRAMS PART 6 - INTERNAL CONTROL PART 7 - GUIDANCE FOR AUDITING PROGRAMS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS
COMPLIANCE SUPPLEMENT
APPENDICES
I. Federal Programs Excluded From the A-102
Common Rule
II. Federal Agency Codification of Certain
Governmentwide Grants Requirements
III. Federal Agency Contacts for A-133 Audits
PART 1 - BACKGROUND, PURPOSE, AND APPLICABILITY BACKGROUND
The Single Audit Act of 1984 established requirements for audits of States, local governments,
and Indian tribal governments that administer Federal financial assistance programs. In 1985, the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued OMB Circular A-128, "Audits of State and
Local Governments," to provide implementing guidance. In 1990, OMB administratively
extended the single audit process to non-profit organizations by issuing OMB Circular A-133,
"Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Non-Profit Organizations."
On July 5, 1996, the President signed the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 USC
Chapter 75). The 1996 Amendments extended the statutory audit requirement to non-profit
organizations and substantially revised various provisions of the 1984 Act. The final revisions to
OMB Circular A-133 implement the 1996 Amendments, extend OMB Circular A-133's coverage
to States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments, and rescind OMB Circular A-128.
This Compliance Supplement is based on the requirements of the 1996 Amendments and the final
revision of OMB Circular A-133 which provide for the issuance of a compliance supplement to
assist auditors in performing the required audits. The Senate and House Reports supporting the
1996 Amendments cited studies of the single audit process performed by the General Accounting
Office, the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency and the National State Auditors
Association (NSAA). All three studies supported the need for a current compliance supplement.
The NSAA study stated, "The Compliance Supplement provides an invaluable tool to both
Federal agencies and auditors in setting forth the important provisions of Federal assistance
programs. This tool allows Federal agencies to effectively communicate items which they believe
are important to the successful management of the program and legislative intent . . . Such a
valuable tool requires constant review and update."
This document serves to identify existing important compliance requirements which the Federal
Government expects to be considered as part of an audit required by the 1996 Amendments.
Without this Supplement, auditors would need to research many laws and regulations for each
program under audit to determine which compliance requirements are important to the Federal
Government and could have a direct and material effect on a program. Providing this Supplement
is a more efficient and cost effective approach to performing this research. For the programs
contained herein, this Supplement provides a source of information for auditors to understand the
Federal program's objectives, procedures, and compliance requirements relevant to the audit as
well as audit objectives and suggested audit procedures for determining compliance with these
requirements.
This Supplement also provides guidance to assist auditors in determining compliance requirements
relevant to the audit, audit objectives, and suggested audit procedures for programs not included
herein. For single audits, this Supplement replaces agency audit guides and other audit
requirement documents for individual Federal programs.
OMB Circular A-133 provides that Federal agencies are responsible to annually inform OMB of
any updates needed to this Supplement. This responsibility includes ensuring that program
objectives, procedures, and compliance requirements, noncompliance with which could have a
direct and material effect on these individual Federal programs, are provided to OMB for
inclusion in this Supplement, and that agencies keep current these program objectives,
procedures, and compliance requirements (including statutory and regulatory citations). To
facilitate agency efforts to meet this responsibility, Part 4 of this Supplement provides a
stand-alone section for each program included in this Supplement which contains program
objectives, program procedures, and compliance requirements. These individual sections can be
updated or replaced as Federal programs change. Also, sections will be added for additional
programs once the program objectives, program procedures, and compliance requirements
relevant to the program are written.
PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY (Part 1)
Purpose
This Supplement is effective for audits of fiscal years beginning after June 30, 1996, and
supersedes the Compliance Supplements "Audits of States and Local Governments," issued in
1990, and "Audits of Institutions of Higher Education and Other Non-Profit Organizations,"
issued in 1991. It is intended to assist auditors in planning and performing audits in accordance
with the requirements of the 1996 Amendments and OMB Circular A-133.
OMB Circular A-133 describes the non-Federal entity's responsibilities for managing Federal
assistance programs (§ ___.300) and the auditor's responsibility with respect to the scope of audit
(§___.500). This Supplement is intended to assist non-Federal entities and auditors in meeting
their respective responsibilities.
Applicability
General
Auditors shall consider this Supplement and the referenced laws, regulations, and OMB Circulars
(as codified by Federal agencies in agency regulations) in determining the compliance
requirements that could have a direct and material effect on the programs included herein. For
program-specific audits performed in accordance with a Federal agency's program-specific audit
guide, the auditor shall follow such program-specific audit guide. Finally, for major programs not
included in this Supplement or the Housing Authority or Education programs (HUD and ED
Interim Supplements) discussed below, the auditor shall follow the guidance in Part 7 and use the
types of compliance requirements in Part 3 to identify the applicable compliance requirements
which could have a direct and material effect on the program.
Update of Requirements
OMB Circular A-133 provides that Federal agencies are responsible to annually inform OMB of
any updates needed to this Supplement. The heading of each page of this Supplement indicates
the date as of which the information is current. However, auditors should recognize that laws and
regulations change periodically and that delays will occur between such changes and revisions to
this Supplement. Moreover, auditors should recognize that there may be provisions of contract
and grant agreements that are unique to a particular non-Federal entity and, therefore, the
specifics of such are not included in this Supplement (e.g., the grant agreement may specify a
certain matching percentage; and a non-Federal entity may have agreed to additional requirements
which are not required by law or regulation, perhaps as part of resolution of prior audit findings).
Accordingly, the auditor should perform reasonable procedures to ensure that compliance
requirements are current. Reasonable procedures would be inquiry of non-Federal entity
management and review of the contract and grant agreements for programs selected for testing
(i.e., major programs) to determine whether the compliance requirements for such programs
presented in Part 4 of this Supplement are current and whether there are any additional provisions
of contract and grant agreements that should be covered by an audit under the 1996 Amendments.
Responsibility for Other Requirements
Although the focus of this Supplement is on compliance requirements that could have a direct and
material effect on a major program, auditors also have responsibility under Generally Accepted
Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) for other requirements when specific information
comes to the auditors' attention that provides evidence concerning the existence of possible
noncompliance that could have a material indirect effect on a major program.
HUD and ED Interim Supplements
Two Federal agencies, the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and
Education (ED), have issued supplements to address the requirements of certain agency
programs. These supplements provide guidance similar to that provided in Part 4 of this
Supplement for programs included herein. A description of the HUD and ED supplements and the
authoritative status of each are discussed below.
Housing Authorities - Guidance for audits of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) Authorities is
contained in the "Public and Indian Housing Compliance Supplement for Annual Audits of Public
Housing Agencies and Indian Housing Authorities by Independent Auditors" (PIH Supplement).
The PIH Supplement was developed by the HUD Office of Public and Indian Housing and the
Office of Inspector General. It was originally issued in May 1995 and reissued in May 1996. For
audits of PIH Authorities under OMB Circular A-133, the agency program requirements (which
would otherwise be listed in Part 4 of this Supplement) are provided in the PIH Supplement. This
supplement is currently available on the Internet at the HUD OIG Home Page
(http://www.hud.gov/oig/oigguide.html) under the listing of "Audit
Guides" or can be obtained by sending a fax to 202-401-3963.
ED Programs - In June 1996, ED published a Compliance Supplement which includes the
compliance requirements and associated audit guidance for the following programs: (1) Title I
Grants to Local Education Agencies (CFDA 84.010), (2) Migrant Education - Basic State Grant
Program (84.011), (3) Eisenhower Professional Development State Grants (84.281), (4) Safe and
Drug-Free Schools - State Grants (84.186), (5) Innovative Education Program Strategies
(84.298), (6) Bilingual Education (84.288, 84.291, and 84.290), and (7) Impact Aid (84.041).
The Title I (CFDA 84.010) program is also included in Part 4 of this Supplement. Each of the
other ED programs ultimately will be included. In the interim, for audits under OMB Circular
A-133, the agency program requirements (which would otherwise be listed in Part 4 of this
Supplement) are provided in the ED Supplement. However, when Title I (84.010) is a major
program and none of the other ED programs listed above are major programs, the guidance listed
in Part 4 of this Supplement should be used for audits of Title I. This interim supplement is
currently available on the Internet at the ED/OIG Non-Federal Audit Team Home Page
( OVERVIEW OF THIS SUPPLEMENT
Matrix of Compliance Requirements (Part 2)
The Matrix of Compliance Requirements (Matrix) identifies the Federal
programs and compliance requirements addressed by this Supplement and
associates the programs with the applicable
compliance requirements. The Matrix also identifies the applicable
Federal agency and Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number
for each program included in this Supplement.
Compliance Requirements (Part 3)
Part 3 lists and describes the 14 types of compliance requirements and the related audit objectives
that the auditor shall consider in every audit conducted under OMB Circular A-133 with the
exception of program-specific audits performed in accordance with a Federal agency's
program-specific audit guide. Suggested audit procedures are also provided to assist the auditor
in planning and performing tests of non-Federal entity compliance with the requirements of
Federal programs. Auditor judgment will be necessary to determine whether the suggested audit
procedures are sufficient to achieve the stated audit objectives and whether additional or
alternative audit procedures are needed. Determining the nature, timing, and extent of the audit
procedures necessary to meet the audit objectives is the auditor's responsibility.
Because of the diversity of systems in place among non-Federal entities, Part 3 does not include
suggested audit procedures to test internal control. The auditor must determine appropriate
procedures to test internal control on a case by case basis considering factors such as the
non-Federal entity's internal control, the compliance requirements, the audit objectives for
compliance, the auditor's assessment of control risk, and the audit requirement to test internal
control as prescribed in OMB Circular A-133.
The compliance requirements for Special Tests and Provisions are unique to each Federal
program; therefore, compliance requirements, audit objectives, and suggested audit procedures
for Special Tests and Provisions are not included in Part 3.
Agency Program Requirements (Part 4)
For each Federal program included, Part 4 discusses program objectives, program procedures,
and compliance requirements which are specific to the program. With the exception of Special
Tests and Provisions, the auditor shall refer to Part 3 for the audit objectives and suggested audit
procedures that pertain to the compliance requirements associated with the programs. Since
Special Tests and Provisions are unique to the program, the audit objectives and suggested audit
procedures for the program are included in Part 4.
The description of program procedures is general in nature. Some programs may operate
somewhat differently than described due to: (1) the complexity of governing Federal and State
laws and regulations; (2) the administrative flexibility afforded non-Federal entities; and, (3) the
nature, size, and volume of transactions involved. Accordingly, the auditor should obtain an
understanding of the applicable compliance requirements and program procedures in operation at
the non-Federal entity to properly plan and perform the audit.
Clusters of Programs (Part 5)
A cluster of programs is a grouping of closely related programs that have similar compliance
requirements. The types of clusters are: Research and Development (R&D), Student Financial
Aid (SFA), and other clusters. "Other clusters" are as identified in this Supplement or designated
in a State award document.
A cluster of programs is treated as a single program for the purpose of meeting the audit
requirements of OMB Circular A-133 (§__.105). Part 5 provides compliance requirements, audit
objectives, and suggested audit procedures for R&D and SFA clusters and lists other clusters.
In planning and performing the audit, the auditor should determine whether programs
administered by the non-Federal entity are part of a cluster by referring to the provisions of Part 5
of this Supplement and the State award documents.
Internal control (Part 6)
As a condition of receiving Federal awards, non-Federal entities agree to comply with applicable
laws, regulations, and the provisions of contract and grant agreements, and to maintain internal
control to provide reasonable assurance of compliance with these requirements. OMB Circular
A-133 requires auditors to obtain an understanding of the non-Federal entity's internal control
over Federal programs sufficient to plan the audit to support a low assessed level of control risk
for major programs, plan the testing of internal control over major programs to support a low
assessed level of control risk for the assertions relevant to the compliance requirements for each
major program, and, unless internal control is likely to be ineffective, perform testing of internal
control as planned. Part 6 is intended to assist non-Federal entities and their auditors in
complying with these requirements by presenting characteristics of internal control which may be
used to reasonably ensure compliance with the types of compliance requirements in Part 3. The
characteristics of internal control presented in Part 6 are neither mandatory nor all inclusive.
Guidance for Auditing Programs Not Included in this Compliance Supplement (Part 7)
Part 7 provides guidance to auditors in identifying the compliance requirements and designing
tests of compliance with such requirements for programs not included in this Supplement.
Federal Programs Excluded from the A-102 Common Rule (Appendix I)
This Appendix lists block grants and entitlement programs excluded from the requirements of the
"Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and
Local Governments" (also known as the "A-102 Common Rule").
Federal Agency Codification of Certain Governmentwide Grants Requirements (Appendix
II)
This Appendix provides regulatory citations and Federal agencies' codification of the A-102
Common Rule and OMB Circular A-110, "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and
Agreements With Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit
Organizations," in agency regulations. Some agencies have not yet codified the November 1993
revision to OMB Circular A-110 but either are in the process of doing so or have provided such
policies to grantees through other means such as grant agreements.
Federal Agency Contacts for A-133 Audits (Appendix III)
This Appendix identifies Federal agency contacts from which auditors can request information or
materials about Federal programs or the audit requirements of OMB Circular A-133.
Page Numbering Scheme
The following page numbering scheme is used in this Supplement to facilitate future revisions.
Each page included in Parts 1, 2, 3 (introduction), 6 (introduction), and 7 is identified by a label
that represents the part number and sequential page number. A dash (-) separates the part number
from the page number. For example, Part 1 is numbered as follows: 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, and so on.
Each page included in Parts 3 (excluding introduction), 4, 5, and 6 (excluding introduction) is
identified by a label that represents the part number, section number identifier, and sequential page
number. For example, Section A of Part 3 is numbered 3-A-1, 3-A-2, 3-A-3, and so on. The
section number identifier for Part 4 represents the CFDA number of the applicable program. For
example, the Department of Labor (DOL) Unemployment Insurance program, CFDA number
17.225, is numbered 4-17.225-1, 4-17.225-2, 4-17.225-3, and so on.
HOW TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE
Guidance to assist auditors in performing audits in accordance with OMB Circular A-133 can be
obtained from the following sources.
Office of Management and Budget
OMB Home Page on the Internet (/WH/EOP/omb) under a section in
the OMB documents list called "Grants Management."
- OMB publications, including OMB Circulars and this Supplement for audits under OMB
Circular A-133. OMB Fax Information Line - Telephone: (202) 395-9068:
- OMB publications of less than 50 pages.
Office of Administration: - OMB publications.
General Services Administration (GSA) - Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA).
A searchable copy of the CFDA is available through the Internet on the GSA Home Page
(http://www.gsa.gov/fdac). The CFDA is also available in hard copy (from the Government
Printing Office), and on machine-readable magnetic tape, high-density floppy diskettes, and
CD-ROM (from GSA).
Government Printing Office (GPO) - Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. Inspectors General
IGnet Home Page on the Internet (http://www.sba.gov/ignet).
PART 2 - MATRIX OF COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS INTRODUCTION
The boxes for each type of compliance requirement will either contain a "Y" (for yes if the type of
compliance requirement may apply) or be shaded (if the program normally does not have activity
subject to this type of compliance requirement). Even though a "Y" indicates that the compliance
requirement applies to the Federal program, it may not apply at a particular non-Federal entity
because that entity does not have activity subject to that type of compliance requirement or the
activity could not materially effect a major program. For example, Real Property
Acquisition/Relocation Assistance would not apply if the non-Federal entity did not acquire real
property covered by the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies
Act. Similarly, a "Y" may be included under "Procurement;" however, the audit would not be
expected to address this type of compliance requirement if the non-Federal entity charges only
small amounts of purchases to a major program.
When a "Y" is present on the matrix, the auditor should use Part 3, Compliance Requirements,
and Part 4, Agency Program Requirements, in planning and performing the tests of compliance.
For example, if a program entry in the matrix includes a "Y" in the Program Income column, Part
3 provides overall guidance on testing program income. Part 4 may also include specific
information on program income criteria pertaining to the program, such as restrictions on how
program income may be used. Part 6, Internal Control, may be useful in assessing control risk
and designing tests of internal control with respect to each applicable
compliance requirement.
Legend:
An empty box indicates the program normally does not have activity subject to this type of compliance requirement.
PART 3 - COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS INTRODUCTION
The objectives of most compliance requirements for Federal programs administered by States,
local governments, Indian tribal governments, and non-profit organizations are generic in nature.
For example, most programs have eligibility requirements for individuals or organizations. While
the criteria for determining eligibility vary by program, the objective of the compliance
requirement that only eligible individuals or organizations participate is consistent across all
programs.
Rather than repeat these compliance requirements, audit objectives, and suggested audit
procedures, for each of the programs contained in Part 4 - Agency Program Requirements, they
are provided once in this part. For each program in this Compliance Supplement (this
Supplement), Part 4 contains additional information about the compliance requirements that arise
from laws and regulations applicable to each program, including the requirements specific to each
program that should be tested using the guidance in this part.
Administrative Requirements
The administrative requirements that apply to most programs arise from two sources: the
"Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements to State and
Local Governments" (also known as the "A-102 Common Rule") and OMB Circular A-110,
"Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with Institutions of Higher
Education, Hospitals, and Other Non-Profit Organizations, " and the agencies' codification of
OMB Circular A-110. The applicable guidance followed depends on the type of organization
undergoing audit. Other administrative compliance requirements unique to a single program or a
cluster of programs, are provided in the Special Tests and Provisions section of Part 4.
State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments
Governmentwide guidance for administering grants and cooperative agreements to States, local
governments, and Indian tribal governments is contained in the A-102 Common Rule which was
codified by each Federal funding agency in its volume of the Code of Federal Regulations. The
A-102 Common Rule section numbers are referred to without the Federal agency's part number
(e.g., §____.37 would refer to sections in all agency regulations). This allows auditors to refer to
the same section numbers when discussing administrative issues with different Federal funding
agencies.
These requirements apply to all grants and subgrants to governments, except where they are
inconsistent with Federal statutes or with regulations authorized in accordance with the exception
provision of the A-102 Common Rule. Block grants authorized by the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1981 and several other specifically identified grants or payment programs
are exempted from the A-102 Common Rule. Appendix I to this Compliance Supplement lists
legislation and programs where exclusions exist.
In some cases the A-102 Common Rule permits States to follow their own laws and procedures,
e.g., when addressing equipment management. These are noted in the sections that follow. The
auditor will have to refer to an individual State's rules in those situations.
The basic cost principles applicable to State, local, and Indian tribal governments can be found in OMB Circular A-87, "Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments." Non-Profit Organizations
The major source of requirements applicable to non-profit organizations is OMB Circular A-110.
The provisions of OMB Circular A-110 are codified in agency regulations, generally following the
section numbers in the circular. The OMB Circular A-110 section numbers are referred to similar
to the A-102 Common Rule references. However, unlike the A-102 Common Rule, agencies with
OMB approval, could modify certain provisions of A-110 to meet their special needs. OMB
Circular A-110 states "Federal agencies responsible for awarding and administering
grants . . . shall adopt the language in the circular unless different provisions are required by
Federal statute or are approved by OMB." Subpart A, §____.4, of OMB Circular A-110 states
that "Federal awarding agencies may apply more restrictive requirements to a class of recipients
when approved by OMB." Federal awarding agencies may apply less restrictive requirements
when awarding small awards, except for those requirements which are statutory. Exceptions on a
case-by-case basis may also be made by Federal awarding agencies.
Appendix II to this supplement contains a list of agencies that have codified OMB Circular A-110
and the CFR citations for these codifications.
The cost principles applicable to non-profit organizations can be found in OMB Circulars:
A-21 "Cost Principles for Educational Institutions"
A-122 "Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations"
Subrecipients
Governmental subrecipients are subject to the provisions of the A-102 Common Rule. However,
the A-102 Common Rule permits States to impose their own requirements on their governmental
subrecipients, e.g., equipment management or procurement. Thus, in some circumstances, the
auditor may need to refer to State rules and regulations rather than Federal requirements.
All non-profit subrecipients, regardless of the type of organization making the subaward, shall
follow the provisions of OMB Circular A-110 as implemented by the agency when awarding or
administering subgrants except under block grants authorized by the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1981 and the Job Training Partnership Act where State rules apply instead.
Compliance Requirements, Audit Objectives, and Suggested Audit Procedures
Auditors shall consider the compliance requirements and related audit objectives in Parts 3 and
Part 4 (for programs included in this Supplement) in every audit of non-Federal entities conducted
under OMB Circular A-133 with the exception of program-specific audits performed in
accordance with a Federal agency's program-specific audit guide. In making a determination not
to test a compliance requirement, the auditor must conclude that the requirement either does not
apply to the particular non-Federal entity or that noncompliance with the requirement could not
have a material effect on a major program (e.g., the auditor would not be expected to test
Procurement if the non-Federal entity charges only small amounts of purchases to a major
program).
The suggested audit procedures are provided to assist auditors in planning and performing tests of
non-Federal entity compliance with the requirements of Federal programs. Auditor judgment will
be necessary to determine whether the suggested audit procedures are sufficient to achieve the
stated audit objective and whether additional or alternative audit procedures are needed.
The suggested procedures are in lieu of specifying audit procedures for each of the programs
included in this Supplement. This approach has several advantages. First, it provides guidelines
to assist auditors in designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstance. Second,
it helps auditors develop audit procedures for programs that are not included in this Supplement.
Finally, it simplifies future updates to this Supplement.
Internal Control
Because of the diversity of systems in place among non-Federal entities, Part 3 does not include
suggested audit procedures to test internal control. The auditor must determine appropriate
procedures to test internal control on a case by case basis considering factors such as the
non-Federal entity's internal control, the compliance requirements, the audit objectives for
compliance, the auditor's assessment of control risk, and the audit requirement to test internal
control as prescribed in OMB Circular A-133.
A. ACTIVITIES ALLOWED OR UNALLOWED
Compliance Requirements
The specific requirements for activities allowed or unallowed are unique to each Federal program
and are found in the laws, regulations, and the provisions of contract or grant agreements
pertaining to the program. For programs listed in the Compliance Supplement, the specific
requirements can be found in Part 4. This type of compliance requirement specifies the activities
that can or cannot be funded under a specific program.
Audit Objectives
Determine whether Federal awards were expended only for allowable activities.
Suggested Audit Procedures 1. Allowability of Specific Transactions and Activities
a. Identify the types of activities which are either specifically allowed or prohibited by the laws,
regulations, and the provisions of contract or grant agreements pertaining to the program.
b. When allowability is determined based upon summary level data, perform procedures to verify
that:
1. Activities were allowable.
2. Individual transactions were properly classified and accumulated into the activity total.
c. When allowability is determined based upon individual transactions, select a sample of
transactions and perform procedures to verify that the transaction was for an allowable activity.
d. The auditor should be alert for large transfers of funds from program accounts which may have
been used to fund unallowable activities.
2. Allowable Activities for Subrecipients (This requirement only applies to pass-through entities)
Test a sample of approved subrecipient agreements to verify that the activities covered by the
agreement were allowable.
B. ALLOWABLE COSTS/COST PRINCIPLES
Applicability of OMB Cost Principles Circulars
The following OMB cost principles circulars prescribe the cost accounting policies associated
with the administration of Federal awards by non-profit organizations, States, local governments,
and Indian tribal governments. However, for block grants authorized by the Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1981 and the Job Training Partnership Act, State rules for expenditures of
State funds apply (Appendix 1). Federal awards include Federal programs and cost-type
contracts and may be in the form of grants, contracts, and other agreements.
- OMB Circular A-87, "Cost Principles for State, Local and Indian Tribal Governments"
- OMB Circular A-21, "Cost Principles for Educational Institutions"
- OMB Circular A-122, "Cost Principles for Non-Profit Organizations"
All institutions of higher education are subject to the cost principles contained in OMB Circular
A-21. States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments are subject to OMB Circular
A-87. Non-profit organizations are subject to OMB Circular A-122, except those non-profit
organizations listed in Attachment C of OMB Circular A-122. These non-profit organizations are
not subject to OMB Circular A-122 but are subject to the standards issued by the Cost
Accounting Standards Board (48 CFR part 99) and the commercial cost principles contained in
the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
Federal awards administered by publicly-owned hospitals and other providers of medical care are
exempt from OMB's cost principles circulars, but are subject to requirements promulgated by the
sponsoring Federal agencies (45 CFR part 74, appendix E).
The cost principles applicable to a non-Federal entity apply to all Federal awards received by the
entity, regardless of whether the awards are received directly from the Federal Government or
indirectly through a pass-through entity.
The circulars describe selected cost items, allowable and unallowable costs, and standard
methodologies for calculating indirect costs rates (e.g., methodologies used to recover facilities
and administrative costs (F&A) at institutions of higher education).
The cost principles articulated in the three circulars are in most cases substantially identical but a
few differences do exist. These differences are necessary because of the nature of the
Federal/State/local/non-profit organization relationship, programs administered, and breadth of
services offered by some grantees and not others. Exhibit 1, Selected Cost Items Not Treated the
Same Among the Circulars, lists selected cost items for which treatment are not substantially
identical among the cost principles circulars. Exhibit 2, Selected Unallowable Cost Items, lists
selected items that are unallowable in one or more of the cost principles circulars.
Compliance Requirements - Allowability of Costs - General Criteria (applicable to both
direct and indirect costs)
The general criteria affecting allowability of costs under Federal awards are:
- Costs must be reasonable and necessary for the performance and administration of Federal
awards.
- Costs must be allocable to the Federal awards under the provisions of OMB's cost principles
circulars. A cost is allocable to a particular cost objective (e.g., a specific function, program,
project, department, or the like) if the goods or services involved are charged or assigned to such
cost objective in accordance with relative benefits received.
- Costs must be given consistent treatment through application of those generally accepted
accounting principles appropriate to the circumstances. A cost may not be assigned to a Federal
award as a direct cost if any other cost incurred for the same purpose in like circumstances was
allocated to the Federal award as an indirect cost.
- Costs must conform to any limitations or exclusions set forth in the circulars, Federal laws, State
or local laws, sponsored agreements or other governing regulations as to types or amounts of cost
items.
- Costs must be net of all applicable credits that result from transactions that reduce or offset
direct or indirect costs. Examples of such transactions include purchase discounts, rebates or
allowances, recoveries or indemnities on losses, insurance refunds or rebates, and adjustments for
overpayments or erroneous charges.
- Costs must be documented in accordance with OMB Circular A-110 for non-profit
organizations or the A-102 Common Rule for State, local and Indian Tribal governmental units.
Compliance Requirements - Indirect Costs
Indirect costs are those costs that benefit common activities and, therefore, cannot be readily assigned to a specific direct cost objective or project. In order to recover indirect costs, organizations must prepare cost allocation plans (CAPs) which
apply only to States, local and Indian tribal governments or indirect cost rate proposals (IDCRPs)
in accordance with the guidelines provided in OMB's circulars. States, major local governments,
Indian tribal governments, institutions of higher education, and non-profit organizations must
submit CAPs or IDCRPs to the Federal cognizant agency for indirect cost negotiation for
approval. Other organizations, such as smaller local governments, must prepare the appropriate
CAPs or IDCRPs and maintain them on file for review. These other organizations may use the
allocation methods and indirect cost rate maintained on file for cost recovery.
At institutions of higher education, indirect costs include the following categories: building and
equipment depreciation or use allowance, operation and maintenance expenses, interest expenses,
general administrative expenses, departmental administration expenses, library expenses, and
student administration expenses.
At non-profit organizations, indirect costs generally include general administrative costs (e.g., the
president's office, payroll, general accounting) and facility costs (e.g., rental costs, operations and
maintenance, interest expense) that are not treated as direct costs.
The indirect cost proposals prepared by institutions of higher education and other non-profit
organizations are based on the most current financial data supported by the organization's
accounting system and audited financial statements. These indirect cost proposals can be used to
either establish predetermined or fixed indirect cost rates, or to establish or finalize provisional
rates.
There are three types of plans/proposals submitted by States, local governments, and Indian tribal
governments:
1. State and Local Governmentwide CAPs - These plans are used to allocate service center costs
(or Section I costs) to individual departments and agencies and describe the methods used for
charging billed costs (or Section II costs) to individual user organizations or activities.
2. Department or Local IDCRP - These rate proposals combine the billed and allocated costs
from the State-wide or local-wide plan with departmental or local level indirect costs and
compute an indirect cost rate to be used in charging indirect costs to individual programs and
activities.
3. Public Assistance CAPs - These CAPs describe the methods for allocating State-wide or
local-wide allocated and/or billed indirect costs and departmental indirect, administrative, and
operating costs of State or local welfare or human services organizations to the Medicaid, Food
Stamps and welfare programs, etc. These plans are required by the terms of 45 CFR part 95,
which incorporates OMB Circular A-87 by reference, and they must be revised and resubmitted to
the Federal Government whenever an organizational or programmatic change invalidates the
currently-approved allocation method.
At States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments, indirect costs are accumulated at
two levels: the State/local-wide level and the department/agency level. At the State/local-wide
level, indirect costs include: (1) central service costs that are allocated (referred to as Section I
costs, which typically include general accounting, personnel, and purchasing); and ,(2) central
service costs that are billed (referred to as Section II costs, which typically include computer
services, motor pool, insurance, and fringe benefits). Certain costs, such as facilities and
operations and maintenance, can be classified as Section I or Section II costs by State/local
governments.
At State or local governmental departments or agencies, where Federal awards are usually carried
out, indirect costs normally include the facilities and administrative costs of each department or
agency and the allocated central service costs distributed through the State/local-wide CAP.
Additionally, Section II costs are direct charges to these departments or agencies. As such, these
direct billings may be charged directly to Federal awards or be included in the department or
agency indirect cost pools.
CAPs are comprised of two parts: a narrative section that describe the service cost center and
allocation methodologies, and a mathematical allocation of these service center costs to the user
departments using the described allocation methods. CAPs and IDCRPs prepared by States, local
governments, and Indian tribal governments usually are prepared on a prospective basis using
actual financial data for a prior year or budget data for the current year. When the actual costs for
the year covered by the CAP (or a rate agreement with respect to a fixed rate) are determined, the
difference between the costs recovered based on the CAP (or rate agreement) and the costs that
would have been recovered had the CAP or rate agreement been based on actual results is either
carried forward to a subsequent CAP or IDCRP or used to adjust individual awards on a
retroactive basis, with the approval of the Federal cognizant agency for indirect cost negotiation.
Three different types of indirect cost rates can be used by the Federal cognizant agency for
indirect cost negotiation: predetermined, fixed, and provisional/final. Predetermined rates are
established for the current or multiple future period(s) based on current data (usually data from
the most recently ended fiscal year, known as the base period). Predetermined rates are not
subject to adjustment, except under very unusual circumstances. Fixed rates are based on current
data in the same manner as predetermined rates, except that the difference between the costs of
the base period used to establish the rate and the actual costs of the current period is carried
forward as an adjustment to the rate computation for a subsequent period. Provisional rates are
temporary rates used for funding and billing indirect costs, pending the establishment of a final
rate for a period.
Special Compliance Requirements - Institutions of Higher Education
OMB Circular A-21 requires institutions of higher education that receive more than $25 million in
Federal funding in a fiscal year to prepare and submit a Disclosure Statement (DS-2) that
describes the institution's cost accounting practices. These institutions are required to submit a
DS-2 within six months after the end of the institution's fiscal year that begins after May 8, 1996,
unless the institution is required to submit a DS-2 earlier due to a receipt of a cost accounting
standard (CAS) covered contract in accordance with 48 CFR section 9903.202-1.
These institutions are responsible for maintaining an accurate DS-2 and complying with disclosed
cost accounting practices. They are also responsible for filing amendments to the DS-2 when
disclosed practices are changed or modified.
Audit Objectives (Direct and Indirect Costs)
Determine whether the organization complied with the provisions of the applicable OMB cost
principles circulars (OMB Circulars A-87, A-21, A-122) as follows:
1. Direct charges to Federal awards were for allowable costs.
2. Charges to cost pools used in calculating indirect cost rates were for allowable costs.
3. For States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments, charges to cost pools allocated
to Federal awards though CAPs were for allowable costs.
4. The methods of allocating the costs are in accordance with the applicable provisions of the cost
principles circulars and produce an equitable distribution of costs (e.g., cost allocation bases
include all allowable and unallowable base costs to which allowable indirect costs are allocable
and the cost allocation methodology complies with the applicable cost principles and provides
equitable and consistent allocation of indirect costs to benefitting cost objectives).
5. Indirect cost rates were applied in accordance with approved rate agreements and associated
billings were the result of applying the approved rate to the proper base amount(s).
6. For States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments, cost allocations were in
accordance with CAPs approved by the Federal cognizant agency for indirect cost negotiation or,
in cases where such plans are not subject to approval, in accordance with the plan on file.
7. Cost accounting practice disclosures, described in the DS-2, represented actual practice
consistently applied (only applies to institutions of higher education that are required to submit the
DS-2).
Suggested Audit Procedures (Direct and Indirect Costs)
General
1. The following procedures apply to direct charges to Federal awards as well as to charges to
cost pools that are allocated wholly or partially to Federal awards or used in formulating indirect
cost rates used for recovering indirect costs from Federal awards. If the auditor identifies
unallowable costs, the auditor should be aware that "directly associated costs" may have been
charged. Directly associated costs are costs incurred solely as a result of incurring another cost,
and would not have been incurred if the other cost had not been incurred. For example, fringe
benefits are "directly associated" with payroll costs. When an unallowable cost is incurred,
directly associated costs are also unallowable.
Test a sample of transactions for conformance with the following criteria contained in the "Basic
Guidelines" section of applicable OMB cost principles circulars.
a. For State and local governments, authorized or not prohibited under State or local laws or
regulations.
b. Approved by the Federal awarding agency, if required.
c. Conform with the allowability of costs provisions of applicable OMB cost principles, or
limitations in the program agreement, program regulations, or program statute.
d. Conform with the allocability provisions of applicable OMB cost principles circulars.
e. Represent charges for actual costs, not budgeted or projected amounts.
f. With respect to fringe benefit allocations, charges, or rates, such allocations, charges, or rates
are based on the benefits received by different classes of employees within the organization.
g. Applied uniformly to Federal and non-Federal activities.
h. Given consistent accounting treatment within and between accounting periods. Consistency in
accounting requires that costs incurred for the same purpose, in like circumstances, be treated as
either direct costs only or indirect costs only with respect to final cost objectives.
i. Calculated in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles or another
comprehensive basis of accounting, when required under the cost principles circulars. Costs for
post-employment benefits must be funded to be allowable.
j. Not included as a cost or used to meet cost sharing requirements of other federally-supported
activities of the current or a prior period.
k. Net of all applicable credits, e.g., volume or cash discounts, insurance recoveries, refunds,
rebates, trade-ins, and scrap sales.
l. Not included as both a direct billing and as a component of indirect costs, e.g., excluded from
cost pools included in CAPs and/or IDCRPs, if charged directly to Federal awards.
m. Supported by appropriate documentation, such as approved purchase orders, receiving reports,
vendor invoices, canceled checks, and time and attendance records, and correctly charged as to
account, amount, and period. Documentation requirements for salaries and wages, and time and
effort distribution are described in applicable OMB cost principles circulars. Documentation may
be in an electronic form.
Internal service, central service, pension, or similar activities or funds
2. When material charges are made from internal service, central service, pension, or similar
activities or funds, the auditor should verify that the charges from these activities or funds are in
accordance with the OMB cost principles circulars. The auditor should consider procedures, such
as:
a. For activities accounted for in separate funds, ascertain if: (1) retained earnings/fund balances
(including reserves) were computed in accordance with the applicable cost principles; (2) working
capital was not excessive in amount (generally not greater than 60 days for cash expenses for
normal operations incurred for the period exclusive of depreciation, capital costs and debt
principal costs); and, (3) refunds were made to the Federal Government for its share of any
amounts transferred or borrowed from internal service or central service funds for purposes other
than to meet the operating liabilities, including interest on debt, of the fund.
b. Test that all users of services are billed in a consistent manner.
c. Test that billing rates exclude unallowable costs, in accordance with applicable cost principles.
d. Test, where activities are not accounted for in separate funds, that billing rates (or charges) are
developed based on actual costs and were adjusted to eliminate profits.
e. For organizations that have self-insurance and a certain type of fringe benefit programs (e.g.
pension funds), ascertain if independent actuarial studies appropriate for such activities are
performed at least biennially and that current period costs were allocated based on an appropriate
study which is not over two years old.
IDCRP (Testing of the plan)
3. The IDCRP is based upon costs charged to cost pools representing costs of a base year. The
base year often precedes the year in which the IDCRP is prepared and the year the resulting
Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (IDCRA) is used to charge indirect costs. For example, a
non-Federal entity may submit an IDCRP in January 1998, based upon costs incurred and charged
to cost pools during fiscal year ending June 30, 1997 (1997), the base year. The resulting IDCRA
negotiated during year ending June 30, 1998 (1998) would be used as the basis for charging
indirect costs to Federal awards in the year ended June 30, 1999 (1999). For this example, the
term IDCRA will also include an IDCRP which is not required to be submitted to the Federal
agency for indirect cost negotiation but is retained on file and is used to charge indirect costs to
Federal awards the same as an approved plan resulting in an IDCRA.
An audit timing consideration is that the audit for 1997 (which covers the applicable cost pools)
may be completed before the IDCRP is submitted. Therefore, as part of the 1997 audit, the
auditor cannot complete testing of the IDCRP. Also, if the auditor waits to test the IDCRP until
1999 (the year when this IDCRP is first used to charge Federal awards), the auditor would be
testing 1997 records which would then be two years old.
Continuing this example, when the IDCRA is the basis for material charges to a major program in
1999, the auditor for 1999 is required to obtain appropriate assurance that the costs collected in
the cost pools and allocation methods are in compliance with the applicable cost principles
circulars. The following are some acceptable options the auditor may use to obtain this
assurance:
- Perform interim testing of the costs charged to cost pools (e.g., determine from management the
cost pools that management expects to include in the IDCRP and test the costs charged to those
pools for compliance with the cost principles circulars) during the 1997 audit. As part of the
1998 audit, complete testing and verify management's representation against the IDCRP finally
submitted in 1998.
- Test costs charged to the cost pools underlying the IDCRP during the audit of 1998, the year
immediately following the base year. This would require testing of 1997 transactions.
- Wait until 1999, the year in which charges from the IDCRA are material to a major program and
test costs charged to cost pools (1997) used to prepare the IDCRP. This is a much more difficult
approach because it requires going back two years to audit the cost charged to cost pools of the
base year.
Advantages of the first two methods are that the testing of the costs charged to the cost pools
occurs closer to the time when the transactions occur (which makes the testing easier to perform)
and should there be audit exceptions, corrective action may be taken earlier to minimize
questioned costs (which makes audit exceptions easier to resolve). When material indirect costs
are charged to any Type A program (determined in accordance with Circular A-133), auditors are
strongly encouraged to use one of the first two methods. This is because under the risk-based
approach, described in OMB Circular A-133, all Type A programs are required to be considered
major programs at least once in every three years and the IDCRA is usually used to charge
Federal awards for at least three years.
When the auditee submits the IDCRP, the auditee provides written assurances to the Federal
government that the plan includes only allowable costs. Accordingly, any material unallowable
costs reflected in the IDCRP should be reported as an audit finding in the year in which they are
first found by audit.
An IDCRP may result in an IDCRA that covers only one year, but most often results in a
multi-year IDCRA. When an IDCRP has been tested in a prior year and this testing provides the
auditor appropriate audit assurance, in subsequent years the auditor is only required to perform
tests to ascertain if there have been material changes to the cost accounting practices and, if so,
that the Federal cognizant agency for indirect cost negotiation has been informed.
The auditor should take appropriate steps to coordinate testing of costs charged to cost pools
supporting an IDCRP with the auditee and, as appropriate, with the Federal cognizant agency for
indirect cost negotiation. The auditor should consult with the auditee in the base year and
the year in which the IDCRP is submitted to determine the best (e.g., most efficient)
alternative under the circumstances.
The following procedures are applicable when material charges are made to a major program
based upon an IDCRP:
a. Ascertain if the IDCRP has been tested in a prior year.
(1) When the testing performed in a prior year provides appropriate audit assurance, further
review of the IDCRP is not required unless there have been material changes to cost accounting
practices supporting the IDCRP. To ascertain if there have been material changes, the auditor
should inquire of auditee management as to whether any changes have been made to the cost
accounting practices and the likely effect of these changes.
(2) When the auditor believes the changes in cost accounting practices are material, and the
auditee is required the file the IDCRP with a Federal cognizant agency for indirect cost
negotiation, the auditor should ascertain if the Federal cognizant agency for indirect cost
negotiation has been appropriately notified of the changes in cost accounting practices. For
colleges and universities that are required to file a DS-2, this testing is performed in Step 6 "DS-2
Requirements."
When prior testing of the IDCRP does not provide appropriate audit assurance (e.g., was not performed). b. Test the cost pools which form the basis of the IDCRP and the resulting charges to Federal
awards to ascertain if they include only allowable costs in accordance with the applicable OMB
cost principles circulars. Suggested audit procedure number 1 provides guidance for specific
tests.
c. Test the methods of allocating the costs to ascertain if they are in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the cost principles circulars and produce an equitable distribution of
costs. Appropriate detailed tests may include:
(1) Test statistical data (e.g., square footage, case counts, salaries and wages) to ascertain if the
proposed allocation or rate bases are reasonable, updated as necessary, and do not contain any
material omissions.
(2) Review time studies or time and effort reports (where and if used) to ascertain if they are
mathematically and statistically accurate, are implemented as approved, and are based on the
actual effort devoted to the various functional and programmatic activities to which the salary and
wage costs are charged.
(3) Review the allocation methodology for consistency and test the appropriateness of methods
used to make changes.
CAP (Testing of the plan)
4. Since costs allocated through CAPs may include current year and prior year costs, the auditor should test the costs charged to cost pools supporting CAPs and the methods of allocating costs from CAPs in each year when these costs are material to a major program. The auditor should consider the following procedures:
a. Test the cost pools which form the basis of the CAP and the resulting charges to Federal
awards to ascertain if they include only allowable costs in accordance with the applicable OMB
cost principles circulars. Suggested audit procedure number 1 provides guidance for specific
tests.
b. Test the methods of allocating the costs to ascertain if they are in accordance with the
applicable provisions of the cost principles circulars and produce an equitable distribution of
costs. Appropriate detailed tests may include:
(1) Test statistical data (e.g., square footage, case counts, salaries and wages) to ascertain if the
proposed allocation or rate bases are reasonable, updated as necessary, and do not contain any
material omissions.
(2) Review time studies or time and effort reports (where and if used) to ascertain if they are
mathematically and statistically accurate, are implemented as approved, and are based on the
actual effort devoted to the various functional and programmatic activities to which the salary and
wage costs are charged.
(3) Review the allocation methodology for consistency and test the appropriateness of methods
use to make charges changes.
IDCRA and CAPs (Testing of charges based upon plans)
5. Perform the following procedures to test the application of charges to Federal awards based
upon an IDCRA and a CAP.
a. Ascertain if material indirect costs or centralized or administrative services costs were allocated
or charged to a major program. If not, the following suggested audit procedures b through e do
not apply.
b. Obtain and read the current IDCRA and/or CAP and determine the terms in effect.
Indirect Cost Rate Agreements
c. Select a sample of claims for reimbursement and verify that the rates used are in accordance
with the rate agreement, that rates were applied to the appropriate bases, and that the amounts
claimed were the product of applying the rate to the applicable base.
Public Assistance CAPs (for States, local governments, and Indian tribal governments only)
d. Verify that the methods of charging costs to Federal awards are in accordance with the
provisions of the approved CAP or prepared CAP on file.
State and Local Government-Wide CAPs
e. Ascertain if the amounts used for reimbursement of central service costs for Federal awards
were in accordance with the approved CAPs or plans on file, when approval is not required.
DS-2 Requirements (For applicable institutions of higher education only)
6. Perform the following procedures for the DS-2
a. Read the DS-2 and its amendments and ascertain if the disclosures agree with the policies
prescribed in the institution's policies and procedures documents.
b. Test that the disclosures agree with actual practices for the period covered by audit, including
whether the practices were consistent throughout the period.
COMPARISON AMONG OMB COST PRINCIPLES CIRCULARS
The following two exhibits provide comparisons between the OMB cost principles circulars.
Exhibit 1 lists selected cost items for which treatment are not substantially identical among the
three circulars. Exhibit 2 lists selected items that are unallowable in one or more of the cost
principles circulars.
For several of the selected cost items, changes have already been proposed in OMB Circular A-122 to be consistent with OMB Circulars A-87 or A-21. Auditors should be alert for when these changes are finalized and effective. In addition, several cost items are unique to one type of entity and not to other entities (e.g., commencement & convocation costs are only applicable to universities). The numbers in parentheses refer to the cost item in the applicable circulars.
C. CASH MANAGEMENT
Compliance Requirements When entities are funded on a reimbursement basis, program costs must be paid for by entity
funds before reimbursement is requested from the Federal Government. When funds are
advanced, recipients must follow procedures to minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of
funds from the U.S. Treasury and disbursement. When advance payment procedures are used,
recipients must establish similar procedures for subrecipients. Pass-through entities must establish
reasonable procedures to ensure receipt of reports on subrecipients' cash balances and cash
disbursements in sufficient time to enable the pass-through entities to submit complete and
accurate cash transactions reports to the Federal awarding agency or pass-through entity.
Pass-through entities must monitor cash drawdowns by their subrecipients to assure that
subrecipients conform substantially to the same standards of timing and amount as apply to the
pass-through entity. Interest earned on advances by local government grantees and subgrantees is
required to be submitted promptly, but at least quarterly, to the Federal agency. Up to $100 per
year may be kept for administrative expenses. Interest earned by non-State nonprofit entities on
Federal fund balances is required to be remitted to Department of Health and Human Services,
Payment Management System, Rockville, MD 20852.
Treasury regulations at 31 CFR part 205, which implement the Cash Management Improvement
Act of 1990 (CMIA) (P.L. 101-453), require State recipients to enter into agreements which
prescribe specific methods of drawing down (funding techniques) Federal funds for selected large
programs. The longest any of the CMIA funding methods allow funds to be requested in advance
is three days. The agreements also specify the terms and conditions in which an interest liability
would be incurred. Any State which does not enter into a Treasury-State agreement is subject to
default procedures prescribed by Treasury.
The requirements for cash management are contained in the OMB Circular 102 (Paragraph 2.a.),
the A-102 Common Rule (§___.21), OMB Circular A-110 (§___.22), Treasury regulations at 31
CFR part 205, Federal awarding agency regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award.
Audit Objectives Determine whether: 1. The recipient/subrecipient followed procedures to minimize the time elapsing between the
transfer of funds from the U.S. Treasury and their disbursement.
2.. States have complied with the terms and conditions of the Treasury-State agreement or default
procedures prescribed by Treasury.
3. The pass-through entity implemented procedures to assure that subrecipients conformed
substantially to the same timing requirements that apply to the pass-through entity.
4. Interest earned was reported/remitted as required.
Suggested Audit Procedures 1. Select a sample of advances of Federal funds and compare to the dates the funds were
disbursed and/or checks were presented to the banks for payments. Using these data, verify that:
a. For States, the timing of disbursements were in compliance with the CMIA Treasury/State
agreement or default procedures, whichever is applicable.
b. For advances to other recipients and subrecipients, established procedures to minimize the time
elapsing between drawdown and disbursement were followed.
2. Where applicable, select a sample of reimbursement requests and trace to supporting
documentation showing that the costs for which reimbursement was requested were paid prior to
the date of the reimbursement request.
3. For audits of States, review the calculation of the interest obligation owed to or by the Federal
Government, reported on the annual report submitted by the State to ascertain that the calculation
was in accordance with Treasury regulations and the terms of the Treasury-State agreement or
default procedures. Trace amounts used in the calculation to supporting documentation.
4. For audits of other entities, review records to determine if interest was earned on advances. If
so, review evidence to ascertain whether it was returned to the appropriate agency.
D. DAVIS-BACON ACT
Compliance Requirements
When required by the Davis Bacon Act, the Department of Labor's (DOL) governmentwide
implementation of the Davis-Bacon Act, or by Federal program legislation, all laborers and
mechanics employed by contractors or subcontractors to work on construction contracts in excess
of $2000 financed by Federal assistance funds must be paid wages not less than those established
for the locality of the project (prevailing wage rates) by the DOL (40 USC 276a to 276a-7).
Audit Objective
Determine whether the non-Federal entity ensured that contractors and subcontractors paid
prevailing wage rates for projects covered by the Davis-Bacon Act.
Suggested Audit Procedures 1. Ascertain if the non-Federal entity receives Federal funds for construction projects; if so,
review program/project requirements to ascertain if the program/project is covered by the
Davis-Bacon Act.
2. Select a sample of construction contracts and subcontracts and verify that the required
prevailing wage rate clauses were included in contracts for construction which exceed $2000.
3. Determine the prevailing wage rates applicable at the time of the construction payroll. (DOL's
Wage and Hour Division publishes a Register of Wage Determinations.)
4. Examine a sample of contractor or subcontractor payroll submissions and certifications and
ascertain if such submissions indicate that laborers and mechanics were paid the prevailing wage
rates established by the DOL for the locality at the time of the construction payroll.
E. ELIGIBILITY
Compliance Requirements
The specific requirements for eligibility are unique to each Federal program and are found in the
laws, regulations, and the provisions of contract or grant agreements pertaining to the program.
For programs listed in the Compliance Supplement, the specific eligibility requirements are in Part
4. This compliance requirement specifies the criteria for determining the individuals, groups of
individuals, or subrecipients that can participate in the program and the amounts for which they
qualify.
Audit Objectives
Determine whether:
1. Only eligible individuals or groups of individuals (including area of service delivery)
participated in the program.
2. Subawards were made only to eligible subrecipients.
3. Amounts provided to or on behalf of eligibles were calculated in accordance with program
requirements.
Suggested Audit Procedures 1. Eligibility for Individuals
a. For some Federal programs with a large number of people receiving benefits, the non-Federal entity may use a computer system for processing individual eligibility determinations and delivery of benefits. Often these computer systems are complex and will be separate from the non-Federal entity's regular financial accounting system. Typical functions a computer system for eligibility may perform are: - Perform calculations to assist in determining who is eligible and the amount of benefits - Pay benefits (e.g., write checks) - Maintain eligibility records, including information about each individual and benefits paid to or on behalf of the individual (regular payments, refunds, and adjustments) - Track the period of time an individual is eligible and stop benefits at the end of a predetermined period unless, there is a redetermination of eligibility - Perform matches with other computer data bases to verify eligibility (e.g., matches to verify earnings or identify individuals who are deceased) - Control who is authorized to approve benefits for eligibles (e.g., an employee may be approving benefits on-line and this process may be controlled by passwords or other access controls) - Produce exception reports indicating likely errors which need follow-up (e.g., when benefits
exceed a certain amount, would not be appropriate for a particular classification of individuals, or
are paid more frequently than normal)
Because of the diversity of computer systems, both hardware and software, it is not practical for
the Compliance Supplement to provide suggested audit procedures to address each system.
However, generally accepted auditing standards provide guidance for the auditor when computer
processing relates to accounting information that can materially effect the financial statements
being audited. Similarly, when eligibility is material to a major program, and a computer system is
integral to eligibility compliance, the auditor should follow this guidance and consider the
non-Federal entity's computer processing. The auditor should perform audit procedures relative
to the computer system for eligibility as necessary to support the opinion on compliance for the
major program. Due to the nature and controls of computer systems, the auditor may choose to
perform these tests of the computer systems as part of testing the internal controls for eligibility.
b. Perform procedures to ascertain if the non-Federal entity's records/database includes all
individuals receiving benefits during the audit period (e.g., that the population of individuals
receiving benefits is complete).
c. Select a sample of individuals receiving benefits and perform tests to ascertain if the:
(1) Specific individuals were eligible in accordance with the compliance requirements of the
program. (Note that some programs have both initial and continuing eligibility requirements and
the auditor should design and perform appropriate tests for both.)
(2) Benefits paid to or on behalf of the individuals were calculated correctly and in compliance
with the requirements of the program.
(3) Benefits were discontinued when the period of eligibility expired.
d. In some programs, the non-Federal entity is required to use a quality control process to obtain
assurances about eligibility. Review the quality control process and perform tests to ascertain if it
is operating to effectively meet the objectives of the process and in compliance with applicable
program requirements.
2. Eligibility for Group of Individuals or Area of Service Delivery
a. In some cases, the non-Federal entity may be required to perform procedures to determine
whether a population or area of service delivery is eligible. Test information used in determining
eligibility and ascertain if the population or area of service delivery was eligible.
b. Perform tests to ascertain if :
(1) The population or area served was eligible.
(2) The benefits paid to or on behalf of the individuals or area of service delivery were calculated
correctly.
3. Eligibility for Subrecipients
a. If the determination of eligibility is based upon an approved application or plan, obtain a copy
of this document and identify the applicable eligibility requirements.
b. Select a sample of the awards to subrecipients and perform procedures to verify that the
subrecipients were eligible and amounts awarded were within funding limits.
F. EQUIPMENT AND REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Compliance Requirements
Equipment Management
Title to equipment acquired by a non-Federal entity with Federal awards vests with the
non-Federal entity. Equipment means tangible nonexpendable property, including exempt
property, charged directly to the award having a useful life of more than one year and an
acquisition cost of $5000 or more per unit. However, consistent with a non-Federal entity's
policy, lower limits may be established.
A State shall use, manage, and dispose of equipment acquired under a Federal grant in accordance
with State laws and procedures. Subrecipients of States who are local governments or Indian
tribes shall use State laws and procedures for equipment acquired under a subgrant from a State.
Local governments and Indian tribes shall follow the A-102 Common Rule for equipment
acquired under Federal awards received directly from a Federal awarding agency. Non-profit
organizations shall follow the provisions of OMB Circular A-110. Basically the A-102 Common
Rule and OMB Circular A-110 require that equipment be used in the program which acquired it
or, when appropriate, other Federal programs. Equipment records shall be maintained, a physical
inventory of equipment shall be taken at least once every two years and reconciled to the
equipment records, an appropriate control system shall be used to safeguard equipment, and
equipment shall be adequately maintained. When equipment with a current per unit fair market
value in excess of $5000, is no longer needed for a Federal program, it may be retained or sold
with the Federal agency having a right to a proportionate (percent of Federal participation in the
cost of the original project) amount of the current fair market value. Proper sales procedures
shall be used that provide for competition to the extent practicable and result in the highest
possible return.
The requirements for equipment are contained in the A-102 Common Rule (§___.32), OMB
Circular A-110 (§___.34), Federal awarding agency program regulations, and the terms and
conditions of the award.
Real Property Management
Title to real property acquired by non-Federal entities with Federal awards vests with the
non-Federal entity. Real property shall be used for the originally authorized purpose as long as
needed for that purpose. For non-Federal entities covered by OMB Circular A-110 and with
written approval from the Federal awarding agency, the real property may be used in other
federally-sponsored projects or programs that have purposes consistent with those authorized for
support by the Federal awarding agency. The non-Federal entity may not dispose of or encumber
the title to real property without the prior consent of the awarding agency.
When real property is no longer needed for the federally-supported programs or projects, the
non-Federal entity shall request disposition instructions from the awarding agency. (For purposes
of this compliance requirement, the awarding agency for recipients under OMB Circular A-110 or
the A-102 Common Rule and subrecipients under OMB Circular A-110 is the Federal agency
providing the funding. The awarding agency for subrecipients under the A-102 Common Rule is
the pass-through entity.) When real property is sold, sales procedures should provide for
competition to the extent practicable and result in the highest possible return. If sold, non-Federal
entities are normally required to remit to the awarding agency the Federal portion (based on the
Federal participation in the project) of net sales proceeds. If retained, the non-Federal entity shall
normally compensate the awarding agency for the Federal portion of the current fair market value
of the property. Disposition instructions may also provide for transfer of title in which case, the
non-Federal entity is entitled to compensation for its percentage share of the current fair market
value.
The requirements for real property are contained in the A-102 Common Rule (§___.31), OMB
Circular A-110 (§___.32), Federal awarding agency regulations, and the terms and conditions of
the award.
Audit Objectives
Determine whether the:
1. The non-Federal entity maintains proper records for equipment and adequately safeguards and
maintains equipment.
2. Disposition or encumbrance of any equipment or real property acquired under Federal awards
is in accordance with Federal requirements and that the awarding agency was compensated for its
share of any property sold or converted to non-Federal use.
Suggested Audit Procedures
(Procedures 1 and 2 only apply to subrecipients of States that are local governments or Indian tribal governments.) 1. Obtain entity's policies and procedures for equipment management and ascertain if they comply
with the State's policies and procedures.
2. Select a sample of equipment transactions and test for compliance with the State's policies and
procedures for management and disposition of equipment.
(Procedures 3-4 only apply to non-profit organizations and Federal awards received directly from a Federal awarding agency by a local government or an Indian tribal government.) 3. Inventory Management of Equipment
a. Inquire if a required physical inventory of equipment acquired under Federal awards was taken
within the last two years. Test whether any differences between the physical inventory and
equipment records were resolved.
b. Identify equipment acquired under Federal awards during the audit period and trace selected
purchases to the property records. Verify that the property records contain the following
information about the equipment: description (including serial number or other identification
number), source, who holds title, acquisition date and cost, percentage of Federal participation in
the cost, location, condition, and any ultimate disposition data including, the date of disposal and
sales price or method used to determine current fair market value.
c. Select a sample of equipment identified as acquired under Federal awards from the property
records and physically inspect the equipment including whether the equipment is appropriately
safeguarded and maintained.
4. Dispositions of Equipment
a. Determine the amount of equipment dispositions for the audit period and perform procedures
to verify that dispositions were properly classified between equipment acquired under Federal
awards and equipment otherwise acquired.
b. For dispositions of equipment acquired under Federal awards, perform procedures to verify
that the dispositions were properly reflected in the property records.
c. For dispositions of equipment acquired under Federal awards with a current per-unit fair
market value in excess of $5000, test whether the awarding agency was reimbursed for the
appropriate Federal share.
(Procedure 5 applies to States, local governments, Indian tribal governments and non-profit organizations regardless of whether funding is received as a recipient or subrecipient) 5. Dispositions of Real Property
a. Determine real property dispositions for the audit period and ascertain such real property
acquired with Federal awards.
b. For dispositions of real property acquired under Federal awards, perform procedures to verify
that the non-Federal entity followed the instructions of the awarding agency which will normally
require reimbursement to the awarding agency for the Federal portion of net sales or fair market
value at the time of disposition, as applicable.
G. MATCHING, LEVEL OF EFFORT, EARMARKING
Compliance Requirements
The specific requirements for matching, level of effort, and earmarking are unique to each Federal
program and are found in the laws, regulations, and the provisions of contract or grant
agreements pertaining to the program. For programs listed in the Compliance Supplement, the
specific requirements can be found in Part 4, Agency Program Requirements.
However, for matching, the A-102 Common Rule (§____.24) and OMB Circular A-110
(§___.23) provide detailed criteria for acceptable costs and contributions. The following is a list
of the basic criteria for acceptable matching:
- Are verifiable from the non-Federal entity's records. - Are not included as contributions for any other federally-assisted project or program, unless specifically allowed by Federal program laws and regulations. - Are necessary and reasonable for proper and efficient accomplishment of project or program objectives. - Are allowed under the applicable cost principles. - Are not paid by the Federal Government under another award, except where authorized by Federal statute to be allowable for cost sharing or matching. - Are provided for in the approved budget when required by the Federal awarding agency. - Conform to other applicable provisions of the A-102 Common Rule and OMB Circular A-110
and the laws, regulations, and provisions of contract or grant agreements applicable to the
program.
Matching, level of effort and earmarking are defined as follows:
(1) Matching or cost sharing includes requirements to provide contributions (usually non-Federal)
of a specified amount or percentage to match Federal awards. Matching may be in the form of
cash or in-kind contributions.
(2) Level of effort includes requirements for (a) a specified level of service to be provided from
period to period, (b) a specified level of expenditures from non-Federal or Federal sources for
specified activities to be maintained from period to period, and (c) Federal funds to supplement
and not supplant non-Federal funding of services.
(3) Earmarking includes requirements that specify the minimum and/or maximum amount or
percentage of the program's funding that must/may be used for specified activities, including funds
provided to subrecipients.
Audit Objectives 1. Matching - Determine whether the minimum amount or percentage of contributions or
matching funds was provided.
2. Level of Effort - Determine whether specified service or expenditure levels were maintained.
3. Earmarking - Determine whether minimum or maximum limits for specified purposes were
met.
Suggested Audit Procedures
1. Matching
a. Perform tests to verify that the required matching contributions were met.
b. Ascertain the sources of matching contributions and perform tests to verify that they were
from an allowable source.
c. Test records to corroborate that the values placed on in-kind contributions are in accordance
with the OMB cost principles circulars, the A-102 Common Rule, OMB Circular A-110, program
regulations, and the terms of the award.
d. Test transactions used to match for compliance with the allowable costs/cost principles
requirement. This test may be performed in conjunction with the testing of the requirements
related to allowable costs/cost principles.
2.1 Level of Effort - Maintenance of Effort a. Identify the required level of effort and perform tests to verify that the level of effort
requirement was met.
b. Perform test to verify that only allowable categories of expenditures or other effort indicators
(e.g., hours, number of people served) were included in the computation and that the categories
were consistent from year to year. For example, in some programs, capital expenditures may not
be included in the computation.
c. Perform procedures to verify that the amounts used in the computation were derived from the
books and records from which the audited financial statements were prepared.
d. Perform procedures to verify that non-monetary effort indicators were supported by official
records.
2.2 Level of Effort - Supplement Not Supplant
a. Ascertain if the entity used Federal funds to provide services which they were required to make
available under Federal, State, or local law and were also made available by funds subject to a
supplement not supplant requirement.
b. Ascertain if the entity used Federal funds to provide services which were provided with
non-Federal funds in the prior year.
(1) Identify the federally-funded services.
(2) Perform procedures to determine whether the Federal program funded services that were
previously provided with non-Federal funds.
(3) Perform procedures to ascertain if the total level of services applicable to the requirement
increased in proportion to the level of Federal contribution.
3. Earmarking
a. Identify the applicable percentage or dollar requirements for earmarking.
b. Perform procedures to verify that the amounts recorded in the financial records met the
requirements (e.g., when a minimum amount is required to be spent for a specified type of
service, perform procedures to verify that the financial records show that at least the minimum
amount for this type of service was charged to the program; or, when the amount spent on a
specified type of service may not exceed a maximum amount, perform procedures to verify that
the financial records show no more than this maximum amount for the specified type of service
was charged to the program).
c. When earmarking requirements specify a minimum percentage or amount, select a sample of
transactions supporting the specified amount or percentage and perform tests to verify proper
classification to meet the minimum percentage or amount.
d. When the earmarking requirements specify a maximum percentage or amount, review the
financial records to identify transactions for the specified activity which were improperly classified
in another account (e.g., if only 10 percent may be spent for administrative costs, review
accounts for other than administrative costs to identify administrative costs which were
improperly classified elsewhere and cause the maximum percentage or amount to be exceeded).
H. PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS
Compliance Requirements
Federal awards may specify a time period during which the non-Federal entity may use the Federal
funds. Where a funding period is specified, a non-Federal entity may charge to the award only
costs resulting from obligations incurred during the funding period and any pre-award costs
authorized by the Federal awarding agency . Also, if authorized by the Federal program,
unobligated balances may be carried over and charged for obligations of the subsequent funding
period. Obligations means the amounts of orders placed, contracts and subgrants awarded, goods
and services received, and similar transactions during a given period that will require payment by
the non-Federal entity during the same or a future period (A-102 Common Rule, §___.23; OMB
Circular A-110, §___.28).
Non-Federal entities subject to the A-102 Common Rule shall liquidate all obligations incurred
under the award not later than 90 days after the end of the funding period (or as specified in a
program regulation) to coincide with the submission of the annual Financial Status report
(SF-269). The Federal agency may extend this deadline upon request (A-102 Common Rule,
§___.23).
An example used by a program to determine when an obligation occurs (is made) is found under
Part 4, Department of Education, CFDA 84.010 (Title I).
Audit Objective
Determine whether Federal funds were obligated within the period of availability and obligations
were liquidated within the required time period.
Suggested Audit Procedures
1. Review the award documents and regulations pertaining to the program and determine any
award-specific requirements related to the period of availability and document the availability
period.
2. Test a sample of transactions charged to the Federal award after the end of the period of
availability and verify that the underlying obligations occurred within the period of availability and
that the liquidation (payment) was made within the allowed time period.
3. Test a sample of transactions that were recorded during the period of availability and verify that
the underlying obligations occurred within the period of availability.
4. Select a sample of adjustments to the Federal funds and verify that these adjustments were for
transactions that occurred during the period of availability. I. PROCUREMENT AND SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT
Compliance Requirements
Procurement
States, and governmental subrecipients of States, shall use the same policies and procedures used
for procurements from non-Federal funds. They also shall ensure that every purchase order or
other contract includes any clauses required by Federal statutes and executive orders and their
implementing regulations.
Local governments and Indian tribal governments which are not subrecipients of States will use
their own procurement procedures provided that they conform to applicable Federal law and
regulations and standards identified in the A-102 Common Rule.
Non-profit organizations shall use procurement procedures that conform to applicable Federal law
and regulations and standards identified in OMB Circular A-110. All non-Federal entities shall
follow Federal laws and implementing regulations applicable to procurements, as noted in Federal
agency implementation of the A-102 Common Rule and OMB Circular A-110.
Requirements for procurement are contained in the A-102 Common Rule (§____.36), OMB
Circular A-110 (§____.40 through §____.48), Federal awarding agency regulations, and the
terms of the award. The specific references for the A-102 Common Rule and OMB Circular
A-110, respectively are given for each procedure. (The first number listed refers to the A-102
Common Rule and the second refers to A-110.)
Suspension and Debarment
Non-Federal entities are prohibited from contracting with or making subawards under covered
transactions to parties that are suspended or debarred or whose principals are suspended or
debarred. Covered transactions include procurement contracts for goods or services equal to or
in excess of $100,000 and all nonprocurement transactions (e.g., subawards to subrecipients).
Contractors receiving individual awards for $100,000 or more and all subrecipients must certify
that the organization and its principals are not suspended or debarred. The non-Federal entities
may rely upon the certification unless it knows that the certification is erroneous. Non-Federal
entities may, but are not required to, check for suspended and debarred parties which are listed in
the List of Parties Excluded From Federal Procurement or Nonprocurement Programs, issued by
the General Services Administration (GSA). The information contained on the list is available in
printed and electronic formats. The printed version is published monthly. Copies may be
obtained by purchasing a yearly subscription from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S.
Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, or by calling the Government Printing
Office Inquiry and Order Desk at (202) 783-3238. The electronic version can be accessed on the
Internet (http://www.arnet.gov/epls). Please note that the user will be required to record their
name and organization for purposes of the Computer Matching and Privacy Act of 1988.
Requirements for suspension and debarment are contained in the Federal agencies' codification of
the governmentwide debarment and suspension common rule (see Appendix II for CFR cites)
which implements Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, Debarment and Suspension, and the terms
of the award.
Audit Objectives
Determine whether:
1. Procurements were made in compliance with the provisions of the A-102 Common Rule and
OMB Circular A-110.
2. The non-Federal entity obtained the required certifications for covered contracts and
subawards.
Suggested Audit Procedures
(Procedures 1 - 5 apply only to non-profit organizations and Federal awards received directly from a Federal awarding agency by a local government or an Indian tribal government.) 1. Obtain entity's procurement policies. Verify that the policies comply with applicable Federal
requirements (§____.36(b)(1) and §____.43).
2. Ascertain if the entity has a policy to use statutorily or administratively-imposed in-State or
local geographical preferences in the evaluation of bids or proposals. If yes, verify that these
limitations were not applied to Federal procurements except where applicable Federal statutes
expressly mandate or encourage geographic preference (§____.36(c)(2) and §____.43).
3. Examine procurement policies and procedures and verify the following:
a. Written selection procedures require that solicitations incorporate a clear and accurate
description of the technical requirements for the material, product, or service to be procured,
identify all requirements that the offerors must fulfill, and include all other factors to be used in
evaluating bids or proposals (§____.36(c)(3) and §____.44(a)(3)).
b. There is a written policy pertaining to ethical conduct (§____.36(b)(3) and §____.42).
4. Select a sample of procurements and perform the following:
a. Examine contract files and verify that they document the significant history of the procurement,
including the rationale for the method of procurement, selection of contract type, contractor
selection or rejection, and the basis of contract price (§____.36(b)(9) and §____.46).
b. Verify that procurements provide full and open competition (§____.36(c)(1) and §____.43).
c. Examine documentation in support of the rationale to limit competition in those cases where
competition was limited and ascertain if the limitation was justified (§____.36(b)(1) and (d)(4);
and §____.43 and §____.44(e)).
d. Verify that contract files exist and ascertain if appropriate cost or price analysis was performed
in connection with procurement actions, including contract modifications and that this analysis
supported the procurement action (§____.36(f) and §____.45).
e. Verify that the awarding Federal agency approved procurements exceeding $100,000 when
such approval was required. Procurements (1) awarded by noncompetitive negotiation, (2)
awarded when only a single bid or offer was received, (3) awarded to other than the apparent low
bidder, or (4) specifying a "brand name" product (§____.36(g)(1) and §____.44(e)), may require
prior Federal awarding agency approval.
(Procedure 5 only applies to States and Federal awards subgranted by the State to a local government or Indian tribal government.) 5. Test a sample of procurements to ascertain if the State's laws and procedures were followed
and that the policies and procedures used were the same as for State funds.
(Procedures 6 applies to all non-Federal entities) 6. Test a sample of procurements and subawards and ascertain if the required suspension and
debarment certifications were received for subawards and covered contracts. Alternatively, the
auditor may test a sample of procurements and subawards to the List of Parties Excluded From
Federal Procurement or Nonprocurement Programs, issued by the General Services
Administration (GSA) and ascertain if contracts were awarded to suspended or debarred parties.
J. PROGRAM INCOME
Compliance Requirements Program income is gross income received that is directly generated by the federally-funded project
during the grant period. If authorized by Federal regulations or the grant agreement, costs
incident to the generation of program income may be deducted from gross income to determine
program income. Program income includes, but is not limited to, income from: fees for services
performed, the use or rental of real or personal property acquired with grant funds, the sale of
commodities or items fabricated under a grant agreement, and payments of principal and interest
on loans made with grant funds. Except as otherwise provided in the Federal awarding agency
regulations or terms and conditions of the award, program income does not include interest on
grant funds (covered under Cash Management), rebates, credits, discounts, refunds, etc. (covered
under Allowable Costs/Cost Principles), or interest earned on any of them (covered under Cash
Management). Program income does not include the proceeds from the sale of equipment or real
property (covered under Equipment and Real Property Management).
Program income may be used in one of three methods: deducted from outlays, added to the
project budget, or used to meet matching requirements. Unless specified in the Federal awarding
agency regulations or the terms and conditions of the award, program income shall be deducted
from program outlays. However, for research and development activities by colleges and
universities and other non-profit organizations, the default method is to add program income to
the project budget. Unless Federal awarding agency regulations or the terms and conditions of
the award specify otherwise, non-Federal entities have no obligation to the Federal Government
regarding program income earned after the end of the grant period.
The requirements for program income are found in the A-102 Common Rule (§____.25), OMB
Circular A-110 (§____.2 (program income definition) and §____.24), Federal awarding agency
laws, program regulations, and the provisions of the contract or grant agreements pertaining to
the program.
Audit Objective Determine whether program income is correctly recorded and used in accordance with the
program requirements, A-102 Common Rule, and OMB Circular A-110, as applicable.
Suggested Audit Procedures 1. Identify Program Income
a. Review the laws, regulations, and the provisions of contract or grant agreements applicable to
the program and ascertain if program income was anticipated and, if so, the requirements for
recording and using program income.
b. Inquire of management and review accounting records to ascertain if program income was
received.
2. Recording of Program Income - Perform tests to verify that all program income was properly
recorded in the accounting records.
3. Use of Program Income - Perform tests to ascertain if program income was used in accordance
with the program requirements, the A-102 Common Rule, and OMB Circular A-110.
K. REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION AND RELOCATION ASSISTANCE
Compliance Requirements
The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as
amended, (URA) provides for uniform and equitable treatment of persons displaced by
federally-assisted programs from their homes, businesses, or farms. Property acquired must be
appraised by qualified independent appraisers. All appraisals must be examined by a review
appraiser to assure acceptability. After acceptance, the review appraiser certifies the
recommended or approved value of the property for establishment of the offer of just
compensation to the owner. Federal requirements govern the determination of payments for
replacement housing assistance, rental assistance, and down payment assistance for individuals
displaced by federally-funded projects. The regulations also cover the payment of moving-related
expenses and reestablishment expenses incurred by displaced businesses and farm operations.
Governmentwide requirements for real property acquisition and relocation assistance are
contained in Department of Transportation's single governmentwide rule at 49 CFR part 24,
Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Regulations for Federal and
Federally-Assisted Programs.
Audit Objective
Determine whether the non-Federal entity complied with the real property acquisition, appraisal,
negotiation, and relocation requirements.
Suggested Audit Procedures
1. Inquire of management and review the records of Federal programs to ascertain if the
non-Federal entity administers federally-assisted programs that involve the acquisition of real
property or the displacement of households or businesses.
2. Property Acquisitions For a sample of acquisitions: a. Appraisal - Test records to ascertain if: (1) the just compensation amount offered the property
owner was determined by an appraisal process; (2) the appraisal(s) was examined by a review
appraiser; and, (3) the review appraiser prepared a signed statement which explains the basis for
adjusting comparable sales to reach the review appraiser's determination of the fair market value.
b. Negotiations - Test supporting documentation to ascertain if: (1) a written offer of the
appraised value was made to the property owner; and (2) a written justification was prepared if
the purchase price for the property exceeded the amount offered and that the documentation (e.g.,
recent court awards, estimated trial costs, valuation problems) supports such administrative
settlement as being reasonable, prudent, and in the public interest.
c. Residential Relocations - Test supporting documentation to ascertain if the non-Federal entity
made available to the displaced persons one or more comparable replacement dwellings.
3. Replacement Housing Payments - For a sample, test the non-Federal entity's records to
ascertain if there is documentation that supports the following;
a. The owner occupied the displacement dwelling for at least 180 days immediately prior to
initiation of negotiations.
b. The non-Federal entity examined at least three comparable replacement dwellings available for
sale and computed the payment on the basis of the price of the dwelling most representative of the
displacement dwelling.
c. The asking price for the comparable dwelling was adjusted, to the extent justified by local
market data, to recognize local area selling price reductions.
d. The allowance for increased mortgage cost "buy down" amount was computed based on the
remaining principal balance, the interest rate, and the remaining term of the old mortgage on the
displacement dwelling.
e. The non-Federal entity prepared written justification on the need to employ last resort housing
provisions, if the total replacement housing payment exceeded $22,500.
4. Rental or Downpayment Assistance - For a sample, test the non-Federal entity's records to
ascertain if there is documentation that supports the following:
a. The displacee occupied the displacement dwelling for at least 90 days immediately prior to
initiation of negotiations.
b. The displacee rented, or purchased, and occupied a decent, safe, and sanitary replacement
dwelling within one year.
c. The non-Federal entity prepared written justification if the payment exceeded $5250.
5. Business Relocations -
For a sample of business relocations: a. Moving Expenses - Test that payments for moving and related expenses were for actual costs
incurred or that fixed payments, in lieu of actual costs, were limited to a maximum of $20,000 and
computed based on the average annual net earnings of the business, as evidenced by income tax
returns, certified financial statements, or other reliable evidence.
b. Business Reestablishment Expense - Verify that (1) the displacee was eligible as a farm
operation, a non-profit organization, or a small business to receive reestablishment assistance, and
(2) the payment was for actual costs incurred and did not exceed $10,000.
L. REPORTING
Compliance Requirements
Financial Reporting
Recipients should use the standard financial reporting forms or such other forms as may be
authorized by OMB (approval is indicated by an OMB paperwork control number on the form).
These other forms may include financial, performance, and special reporting. Each recipient must
report program outlays and program income on a cash or accrual basis, as prescribed by the
Federal awarding agency. If the Federal awarding agency requires accrual information and the
recipient's accounting records are not normally maintained on the accrual basis, the recipient is not
required to convert its accounting system to an accrual basis but may develop such accrual
information through analysis. The awarding agency may accept identical information from the
recipient in machine-readable format, computer printouts, or electronic outputs in lieu of the
prescribed formats. (The open-ended entitlement programs (Appendix 1) require quarterly
reports.)
The reporting requirements for subrecipients are as specified by the pass-through entity. In many
cases, these will be the same as or similar to the following requirements for recipients.
The standard financial reporting forms are as follows:
1. Financial Status Report (FSR) (SF-269 (OMB No. 0348-0039) or SF-269A (OMB No.
0348-0038)). Recipients use the FSR to report the status of funds for all non-construction
projects and for construction projects when the FSR is required in lieu of the SF-271.
2. Request for Advance or Reimbursement (SF-270 (OMB No. 0348-0004)). Recipients use the
SF-270 to request Treasury advance payments and reimbursements under non-construction
programs.
3. Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Programs (SF-271 (OMB No.
0348-0002)). Recipients use the SF-271 to request funds for construction projects unless
advances or the SF-270 is used.
4. Federal Cash Transaction Report (SF-272 (OMB No. 0348-0003) or SF-272-A (OMB No.
0348-0003)). Recipients use the SF-272 when payment is by advances or reimbursements. The
awarding agency may waive the requirement for an SF-272 when electronic payment mechanisms
provide adequate data.
OMB is working on versions of these standard forms which will be located on the OMB Home Page on the Internet (/WH/EOP/omb). In the interim, copies of the standard forms can be obtained via OMB's FAX Information Line: 202-395-9068. The 4-digit fax-on-demand numbers for each form are indicated below. SF-269, Financial Status Report (Long Form) (fax-on-demand #2690) SF-269A, Financial Status Report (Short Form) (fax-on-demand #2691) SF-270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement (fax-on-demand #2700) SF-271, Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Programs fax-on-demand #2710) SF-272, Federal Cash Transactions Report (fax-on-demand #2720) SF-272A, Federal Cash Transactions Report (fax-on-demand #2721)
Performance Reporting
Recipients shall submit performance reports at least annually but not more frequently than
quarterly. Performance reports generally contain, for each award, brief information on each of the
following:
1. A comparison of actual accomplishments with the goals and objectives established for the
period.
2. Reasons why established goals were not met, if appropriate.
3. Other pertinent information including, when appropriate, analysis and explanation of cost
overruns or high unit costs.
Special Reporting
Non-Federal entities may be required to submit other reporting which may be used by the Federal
agency for such purposes as allocating program funding.
Compliance testing of performance and special reporting are only required for data that are
quantifiable and meet the following criteria:
1. Have a direct and material effect on the program.
2. Are capable of evaluation against objective criteria stated in the laws, regulations, contract or
grant agreements pertaining to the program.
Performance and special reporting data specified in Part 4, Compliance Requirements, meet the
above criteria.
Reporting requirements are contained in the following documents:
a. A-102 Common Rule -- Financial reporting, §____.41; Performance reporting, §____.40(b).
b. OMB Circular A-110 -- Financial reporting, §____.52; Performance reporting, §____.51.
c. The laws, regulations, and the provisions of contract or grant agreements pertaining to the
program.
Audit Objective
Determine whether required reports for Federal awards include all activity of the reporting period,
are supported by applicable accounting or performance records, and are fairly presented in
accordance with program requirements.
Suggested Audit Procedures
1. Review applicable laws, regulations, and the provisions of contract or grant agreements
pertaining to the program for reporting requirements. Determine the types and frequency of
required reports. Obtain and review Federal awarding agency, or pass-through entity in the case
of a subrecipient, instructions for completing the reports.
a. For financial reports, ascertain the accounting basis used in reporting the data (e.g., cash or
accrual).
b. For performance and special reports, determine the criteria and methodology used in compiling
and reporting the data.
2. Perform appropriate analytical procedures and ascertain the reason for any unexpected
differences. Examples of analytical procedures include:
(a) Comparing current period reports to prior period reports.
(b) Comparing anticipated results to the data included in the reports.
(c) Comparing information obtained during the audit of the financial statements to the reports.
Note: The results of the analytical procedures should be considered in determining the nature,
timing, and extent of the other audit procedures for reporting.
3. Select a sample of each of the following report types.
a. Financial reports:
(1) Ascertain if the financial reports were prepared in accordance with the required accounting
basis.
(2) Trace the amounts reported to accounting records that support the audited financial
statements and the schedule of expenditures of Federal awards and verify agreement or perform
alternative procedures to verify the accuracy and completeness of the reports and that they agree
with the accounting records.
b. Performance and special reports:
(1) Trace the data to records that accumulate and summarize data.
(2) Perform tests of the underlying data to verify that the data were accumulated and summarized
in accordance with the required or stated criteria and methodology, including the accuracy and
completeness of the reports.
c. When intervening computations or calculations are required between the records and the
reports, trace reported data elements to supporting worksheets or other documentation that link
reports to the data.
d. Test mathematical accuracy of reports and supporting worksheets.
4. Test the selected reports for completeness.
a. For financial reports, review accounting records and ascertain if all applicable accounts were
included in the sampled reports (e.g., program income, expenditure credits, loans, and reserve
funds).
b. For performance and special reports, review the supporting records and ascertain if all
applicable data elements were included in the sampled reports.
5. Obtain written representation from management that the reports provided to the auditor are
true copies of the reports submitted or electronically transmitted to the Federal awarding agency
or pass-through entity in the case of a subrecipient.
M. SUBRECIPIENT MONITORING
Compliance Requirements
A pass-through entity is responsible for:
- Identifying to the subrecipient the Federal award information (e.g., CFDA title and number,
award name, name of Federal agency) and applicable compliance requirements.
- Monitoring the subrecipient's activities to provide reasonable assurance that the subrecipient
administers Federal awards in compliance with Federal requirements.
- Ensuring required audits are performed and requiring the subrecipient to take prompt corrective
action on any audit findings.
- Evaluating the impact of subrecipient activities on the pass-through entity's ability to comply
with applicable Federal regulations.
Factors such as the size of awards, percentage of the total program's funds awarded to
subrecipients, and the complexity of the compliance requirements may influence the extent of
monitoring procedures.
Monitoring activities may take various forms, such as reviewing reports submitted by the
subrecipient, performing site visits to the subrecipient to review financial and programmatic
records and observe operations, arranging for agreed upon procedures engagements for certain
aspects of subrecipient activities, such as eligibility determinations, reviewing the subrecipient's
single audit or program-specific audit results and evaluating audit findings and the subrecipient's
corrective action plan.
The requirements for subrecipient monitoring are contained in the A-102 Common Rule (§___.37
and §___.40(a)), OMB Circular A-110 (§___.50(a), Federal awarding agency program
regulations, and the terms and conditions of the award.
Audit Objectives
Determine whether the pass-through entity:
1. Identified Federal award information and compliance requirements to the subrecipient.
2. Monitored subrecipient activities to provide reasonable assurance that the subrecipient
administers Federal awards in compliance with Federal requirements.
3. Ensured required audits are performed and requires appropriate corrective action on
monitoring and audit findings.
4. Evaluates the impact of subrecipient activities on the pass-through entity.
Suggested Audit Procedures
(Note: The auditor may consider coordinating the tests related to subrecipients performed as part
of Activities Allowed or Unallowed (tests that subrecipient agreements were for allowable
activities), Cash Management (tests of cash reports submitted by subrecipients), Eligibility (tests
that subawards were made only to eligible subrecipients), and Procurement (tests of suspension
and debarment certifications) with the testing of Subrecipient Monitoring.)
1. Discuss subrecipient monitoring with the pass-through entity's staff to gain an understanding of
the scope of monitoring activities, including the number, size, and complexity of awards to
subrecipients.
2. Test award documents to ascertain if the pass-through entity made subrecipients aware of the
award information and requirements imposed by laws, regulations, and the provisions of contract
or grant agreements pertaining to the program. This testing should include procedures to verify
that the pass-through entity required subrecipients expending $300,000 or more in Federal awards
during the subrecipient's fiscal year to have audits made in accordance with OMB Circular A-133.
3. Review the pass-through entity's documentation of subrecipient monitoring to ascertain if the
pass-through entity monitored that subrecipients used Federal funds for authorized purposes and
takes actions in response to monitoring findings. This review should include procedures to verify
that the pass-through entity monitored the activities of subrecipients not subject to OMB Circular
A-133, using techniques such as those discussed in the Compliance Requirements provisions of
this section.
4. Verify that the pass-through entity receives audit reports from subrecipients required to have an
audit in accordance with OMB Circular A-133, issues timely management decisions on audit and
monitoring findings, and requires subrecipients to take timely corrective action on deficiencies
identified in audits and subrecipient monitoring.
5. Verify that the effects of subrecipient noncompliance are properly reflected in the pass-through
entity's records.
N. SPECIAL TESTS AND PROVISIONS
Compliance Requirements
The specific requirements for special tests and provisions are unique to each Federal program and
are found in the laws, regulations, and the provisions of contract or grant agreements pertaining
to the program. For programs listed in this Supplement, the compliance requirements, audit
objectives, and suggested audit procedures for this type of compliance requirement can be found
in Part 4 - Agency Program Requirements. For programs not listed in this Supplement, the
auditor shall review the program's contract and grant agreements and referenced laws and
regulations to identify the compliance requirements and develop the audit objectives and audit
procedures for Special Tests and Provisions which could have a direct and material effect on a
major program. The auditor should also inquire of the non-Federal entity to help identify and
understand any Special Tests and Provisions.
Additionally, for both programs included and not included in this Supplement, the auditor shall
identify any additional compliance requirements which are not based in law or regulation (e.g.,
were agreed to as part of audit resolution of prior audit findings) which could be material to a
major program. Reasonable procedures to identify such compliance requirements would be
inquiry of non-Federal entity management and review of the contract and grant agreements
pertaining to the program. Any such requirements which may have a direct and material on a
major program shall be included in the audit.
PART 4 - AGENCY PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS INTRODUCTION
For each Federal program included in this Supplement, Part 4 provides "I. Program Objectives"
and "II. Program Procedures." Also, Part 4 provides information about compliance requirements
specific to a program in "III. Compliance Requirements."
When five types of compliance requirements ("A. Activities Allowed or Unallowed," "E.
Eligibility," "G. Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking," "L. Reporting," and "N. Special Tests
and Provisions") are applicable to a program included in this Supplement, Part 4 will always
provide information specific to the program. The auditor should look to Part 3 for a general
description of the compliance requirements, audit objectives, and suggested audit procedures and
to Part 4 for information about the specific requirements for a program. An exception is that for
"N. Special Tests and Provisions;" all such information is included in Part 4.
The other nine types of compliance requirements generally are not specific to a program and
therefore are usually not listed in Part 4. However, when one of these other nine types of
compliance requirements have information specific to a program, this specific information will be
provided with the program in Part 4.
In developing the audit procedures to test compliance with the requirements for a Federal
program, the auditor should first look to Part 2, Matrix of Compliance Requirements, to
identify which of the 14 types of compliance requirements described in Part 3 are
applicable and then look to Parts 3 and 4 for the details of the requirements.
For R&D and SFA, Part 5 is the equivalent of Part 4; therefore the auditor will need to consider
Parts 2, 3, and 5 in developing the audit program for these programs (program clusters).
PART 5 - CLUSTERS OF PROGRAMS INTRODUCTION
Part 5 identifies those programs that are considered to be clusters of programs as defined by
OMB Circular A-133 (§___.105). A cluster of programs means Federal programs with different
CFDA numbers that are defined as a cluster of programs because they are closely related
programs that share common compliance requirements. This Part identifies research and
development (R&D) and Student Financial Aid (SFA) as clusters, as well as certain other
programs included in Part 4, Agency Program Requirements, that are deemed to be clusters. For
R&D and SFA, the following sections of this Part are the equivalent of Part 4.
This Part also defines other clusters of programs that are not included in this Compliance
Supplement. If a cluster is defined in this Part, but not included in Part 4, the auditor will have to
determine the compliance requirements to test in accordance with Part 7, Guidance for Auditing
Programs Not Included in This Compliance Supplement.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
I. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The Federal Government sponsors research and development activities to achieve objectives
agreed upon between the sponsoring agency and the institution. The types of research and
development conducted under these agreements vary widely. The objective of individual projects
is explained in the Federal award document.
II. PROGRAM PROCEDURES
Research is a systematic study directed toward fuller scientific knowledge or understanding of the
subject studied. Development is the systematic use of knowledge and understanding gained from
research directed toward the production of useful materials, devices, systems, or methods,
including design and development of prototypes and processes. The term research also includes
activities involving the training of individuals in research techniques where such activities utilize
the same facilities as other research and development activities and where such activities are not
included in the instruction function.
Research and development grants and contracts are awarded to non-Federal entities on the basis
of research proposals submitted to Federal agencies or pass-through entities. These proposals
are sometimes unsolicited. A grant or contract agreement is then negotiated in which the purpose
of the project is specified, the amount of the award is indicated, and terms of administration are
delineated.
III. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS AND SUGGESTED AUDIT PROCEDURES
In developing the audit procedures to test compliance with the requirements for a Federal
program, the auditor should first look to Part 2, Matrix of Compliance Requirements, to
identify which of the 14 types of compliance requirements described in Part 3 are
applicable and then look to Parts 3 and 4 for the details of the requirements.
A. Activities Allowed or Unallowed
The objective(s) of individual research and development projects are explained in the applicable
award documents. Testing of compliance with this requirement should ensure that funds were
used only for activities for the furtherance of such objective(s).
B. Allowable Cost/Cost Principles
Individual employee compensation and related benefits generally comprise a significant portion of
total costs charged to research and development projects. The auditor should give particular
attention to the allocability of these costs. The distribution of individual employee compensation
and related benefits to Federally sponsored research projects must follow the applicable Federal
cost principles and the Federal award document. Therefore, the auditor's testing should included
tests of the time and effort reporting system to support the distribution of salaries and wages.
Indirect costs is a second major category of cost charged to research and development projects.
The third most prevalent type of cost charged is supplies and equipment.
The auditor should determine if journal entries, computer generated costs (e.g., payroll, benefits,
supplies, computer usage), and transfers were made to the research and development projects. If
so, a representative sample of these should be included as a part of allowable costs testing.
G. Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking
1. Matching
Non-Federal entities may be required to share in the cost of research either on an overall entity or
individual grant basis. The specific program regulations or individual Federal award will specify
matching requirements if applicable.
2. Level of Effort - Not Applicable
3. Earmarking - Not Applicable
L. Reporting
1. Financial Reporting
The specific program regulations or the Federal award will specify the required financial reports.
The auditor is responsible for testing the standard Federal financial reports or alternate forms that
report the same or similar information.
2. Performance Reporting - Not Applicable
3. Other Special Reports - Not Applicable
N. Special Tests and Provisions
The larger R&D awards may contain special terms and conditions which could have a direct and
material effect on the Research and Development Cluster. The auditor should make inquiries of
the non-Federal entity's management and review a sample of the larger R&D awards to ascertain
if such special terms and conditions exist. When special terms and conditions exist which could
be material to this Cluster, the auditor should develop the audit objectives, audit procedures, and
perform tests for test compliance with the special terms and conditions.
STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS Department of Education Department of Health and Human Services CFDA 84.007 FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY GRANT
PROGRAM (FSEOG) I. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The objective of the student financial assistance programs is to provide financial assistance to
eligible students attending institutions of postsecondary education.
II. PROGRAM PROCEDURES
Institutions must apply to either the Secretary of Education or Secretary of Health and Human
Services to participate in their particular SFA programs. Some applications must be filed
annually, others upon initial entry and once approved, periodically thereafter. Institutions may be
approved to participate in only one program or a combination of programs. Institutions are
responsible for" (1) determining student eligibility; (2) verifying student data (when required); (3)
calculating, as required, the amount of financial aid a student can receive; (4) completing and/or
certifying parts of various loan applications and/or promissory notes; (5) drawing funds from the
Federal government and disbursing or delivering SFA funds to students through disbursement
and/or credits to students' accounts; (6) making borrowers aware of loan repayment
responsibilities; (7) submitting, as requested, data on borrowers listed on student status
confirmation reports; (8) making refunds to students, lenders and programs, as appropriate, if
students withdraw, drop out or are expelled from their course of study; (9) collecting SFA
overpayments; (10) establishing, maintaining and managing (including collecting loan repayments)
a revolving loan fund for applicable programs; and, (11) reporting the use of funds. Institutions
may contract with third-party servicers to perform many of these functions.
Title IV Programs - General
The programs cited in this cluster that are administered by the Department of Education (those
with CFDAs beginning with 84) are authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965
(the Act), as amended, and collectively are referred to as the "Title IV programs." Because they
are administered at the institutional level, the Federal Perkins Loan Program, Federal Work-Study
Program and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant program are referred to
collectively as the "campus-based programs." In addition to the Act and implementing regulations
found in Title 34 of the CFR, the Department of Education annually publishes the Federal Student
Financial Aid Handbook, which provides detailed guidance on administering the Title IV
programs. These and other guidance material are available from the Department of Education by
calling 1-800-4FEDAID (1-800-433-3243) or on the Internet (http://sfa.ed.gov/).
For Title IV programs, students complete an application (Free Application for Federal Student
Aid (FAFSA) and send it to a central processor (a contractor of the Department of Education that
administers the Central Processing System). The central processor provides Student Aid Reports
(SARs) to applicants and provides Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) to
institutions. Among other things, the SAR contains the applicant's Expected Family Contribution.
Students take their SARs to the institution (or the institution uses the ISIR) to help determine
student eligibility, award amounts and disbursements. (Note: The central processor is a service
organization of the Department of Education, not of the schools. Therefore, Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 70 does not apply when auditing the schools.)
Federal Pell Grant (Pell) (CFDA 84.063)
The Federal Pell Grant program provides grants to eligible undergraduate students and is intended
to provide a foundation of financial aid. The program is administered by the Department of
Education and postsecondary educational institutions. Maximum and minimum Pell grant awards
are established by statute. The Department of Education provides funds to the institution based
on actual and estimated Pell expenditures.
Federal Perkins Loan (FPL) (CFDA 84.038) The FPL, HPSL, and NSL programs provide long-term low-interest loans to students who
demonstrate the need for financial aid to pursue their course of study at postsecondary
educational institutions. Revolving loan funds are established and maintained at institutions
through applications to participate in the programs. The funds are started with the Federal
Capital Contribution (FCC) and a matching Institutional Capital Contribution (ICC). Repayments
of principal and interest, new FCC, and new ICC are deposited in the revolving funds. The
institution is fully responsible for administering the program (i.e., approving, disbursing and
collecting the loans).
Federal Work Study (FWS) (CFDA 84.033)
The Federal Work Study (FWS) program provides part-time employment to students who need
the earnings to help meet costs of postsecondary education. This program also authorizes the
establishment of the Job Location and Development (JLD) program, the purpose of which is to
expand off-campus part-time or full-time employment opportunities for all students, regardless of
their financial need, who are enrolled in eligible institutions and to encourage students to
participate in community service activities.
Funds are provided to institutions upon submission of an annual application, Fiscal Operations
Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) (this application covers all campus-based
programs), and in accordance with statutory and regulatory formulae. FWS funds are matched
with institutional funds. The institution decides the award amount, places the student in a job, and
pays the student or arranges to have the student paid by an off-campus employer. The institution
may use a portion of FWS funds for a JLD program.
Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) (CFDA 84.007)
The FSEOG program provides grants to eligible undergraduate students. Priority is given to
Federal Pell recipients who have the lowest expected family contributions. The institution decides
the amount of the grant, which can be up to $4000 but not less than $100, for an academic year.
Federal funds are matched with institutional funds (34 CFR sections 676.10 and 676.20).
Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL) (CFDA 84.032) The FFEL and Direct Loan programs make interest subsidized or unsubsidized loans available to
students or parents of dependent students (PLUS loan) to pay for the cost of attending
postsecondary educational institutions. FFEL loans are made by eligible lenders (e.g. banks,
savings and loan institutions, etc.) and insured by State or not-for-profit guaranty agencies. In
some cases, institutions of higher education are approved as eligible lenders. The Federal
Government reinsures the guaranty agencies. Direct Loans are made by the Secretary of
Education. The student's SAR or ISIR, along with other information, is used by the institution to
certify (for FFEL) or originate (for Direct Loan) a student's loan. The student financial aid
administrator is also required to provide and confirm certain information.
Direct Loan is a new program that is changing annually. Institutions participate in loan
origination options: Option 1, Option 2 or Standard. Functions performed by loan origination
option vary and are described in the Direct Loan School Guide. Direct Loan is an electronic
program except for the promissory note. Electronic records are created, batched, transmitted
(exported) to a loan origination center (LOC) and acknowledged (imported from) by the LOC, on
a cycle approach. A cycle is not complete until the last activity in it is finished, i.e., an action has
been accepted by the LOC and the school's system reflects the acceptance. Direct Loan has five
types of cycles: Loan Origination Records (one for each loan), Promissory Note Manifests,
Disbursement Records, Change Records, and Reconciliation Records. For a loan to be "booked"
the institution must have electronically transmitted to the LOC, and the LOC must have accepted
these records: (1) the loan origination record; (2) the Promissory Note Manifest (matched with
the paper promissory note sent by the school/student); and, (3) the first disbursement of loan
proceeds. The borrower's original accepted promissory note is maintained at the LOC; the
institution is not required to keep a copy.
When auditing institutions of higher education, tests of the compliance requirements are not
expected to be made at the FFEL lending institutions (e.g., banks, credit unions, etc.) or the
Direct Loan LOC. However, if the institution is participating in FFEL as an eligible lender, and
SFA is a major program, the auditor's compliance opinion on SFA includes compliance with
requirements associated with its role as a lender. Therefore, if the lending activity under FFEL is
material to SFA as a whole, the auditor would need to perform procedures to support his or her
opinion with respect to the institution's role as a FFEL lender. Compliance requirements
associated with lenders under the FFEL program are not included in this compliance supplement,
but are identified in an audit guide available from the Department of Education: Compliance
Audits (Attestation Engagements) for Lenders and Lender Servicers Participating in the Federal
Family Education Loan Program, dated December 1996.
The FFEL program at Guaranty Agencies (84.032) is not part of the Student Financial Assistance
Cluster and is included in Part 4, Agency Program Requirements.
Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) (CFDA 93.108)
HEAL encourages lenders to provide loans to graduate students enrolled in eligible educational
programs in specified health professions at participating institutions of higher education. HEAL
loans are made by eligible lenders and are insured by the Federal Government. Students complete
an application and submit it to the institution. The institution is responsible for certifying the loan
application and confirming certain information. Tests of the compliance requirements are not
expected to be made at the lender when auditing participating institutions.
Scholarship Program for Students of Exceptional Financial Need (EFNS) (CFDA 93.820)
EFNS encourages those needy students, who might otherwise be reluctant to do so, to pursue a
career as a health professional. These scholarships are awarded without a service or financial
obligation to health professional students of exceptional financial need. Annual awards are made
to participating health professional schools. Each school makes awards to eligible students.
III. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
In developing the audit procedures to test compliance with the requirements for a Federal
program, the auditor should first look to Part 2, Matrix of Compliance Requirements, to
identify which of the 14 types of compliance requirements described in Part 3 are
applicable and then look to Parts 3 and 4 for the details of the requirements.
Note: While the programs included in this cluster are generally similar in their intent,
administration and documentation, etc., there are differences among them. Because of
space considerations, we could not list all of the differences, exceptions to general rules or
nuances pertaining to specific programs. Auditors should utilize regulations and guidance
applicable to the year(s) being audited when auditing the SFA programs.
A. Activities Allowed or Unallowed
1. Allowability of Specific Transactions and Activities
Generally, SFA funds can be used only for making awards to students and for administration of
the programs. Other allowable uses for specific programs are as follows:
Federal Perkins Loan (FPL)
Certain billing, collection, and litigation costs must first be charged to the borrower and cannot be
charged to the loan fund. If amounts recovered from the borrowers are not sufficient to pay these
collection costs, program funds can be used to pay these costs with certain limits (34 CFR
sections 674.8 and 674.47).
A school may transfer up to a total of 25 percent of its Federal Capital Contribution for an award
year to either or both the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) or
Federal Work Study programs. A school may transfer up to 100 percent of its initial and
supplemental allocations to an approved Work Colleges program. (see 34 CFR section 675.41)
Transferred funds must be used according to the requirements of the program to which they are
transferred. A school that transfers funds to the Federal Work Study , FSEOG or Work Colleges
programs must transfer any unexpended funds back to the Federal Perkins Loan program at the
end of the award year (34 CFR section 674.18).
Federal Work Study (FWS)
The institution may use FWS funds only for awards to students, a Job Location and Development
(JLD) Program, Work-Colleges Program, administrative costs, and transfers to FSEOG (34 CFR
sections 675.18 and 675.33).
Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL), CFDA 93.342 Funds from both programs may also be used for capital distribution in Section 743, or, as agreed
to by the Secretary for costs of litigation; costs associated with membership in credit bureaus and,
to the extent specifically approved by the Secretary, for other collection costs that exceed the
usual expenses incurred in the collection of loan funds. Funds may also be used for repayments of
principal and interest on Federal capital loans (HPSL, 42 CFR section 57.205(a); NSL, 42 CFR
section 57.305(a)).
2. Allowable Activities for Subrecipients - Not Applicable
C. CASH MANAGEMENT
ED pays an institution in advance, or by reimbursement. Under the reimbursement method, the
institution must disburse funds to the students before requesting funds from ED. Under the
advance payment method, the institution's request must not exceed the amount immediately
needed to disburse funds to students. The institution must make the disbursements as soon as
administratively feasible, but no later than three business days following the receipt of funds. Any
amounts not disbursed by the end of the third business day are considered to be excess cash and
generally are required to be promptly returned to ED. However, an excess cash balance tolerance
is allowed if that balance: (1) during a peak period of enrollment, was less than three percent of its
total prior-year drawdowns; (2) for any other period was less than one percent of its prior-year
drawdowns; and, (3) is eliminated within the next seven calendar days. Except for the Federal
Perkins Loan Program earnings, interest earnings greater than $250 must be returned to the ED.
Federal Perkins Loan earnings are reinvested in the Federal Perkins Loan revolving fund (34 CFR
section 668.166).
For the HHS programs, requests for new FCC must only be made when needed. Any idle cash
including any interest earned must be deposited in an income-producing account and all excess
cash must be returned to HHS (HPSL, 42 CFR sections 57.203 and 57.205; NSL, 42 CFR parts
303 and 305).
E. ELIGIBILITY
1. Eligibility for Individuals
The requirements for student eligibility are contained in Appendix A.
The determination of SFA award amounts is based on financial need. Financial need is generally
defined as the student's cost of attendance (COA) minus financial resources reasonably available.
In determining the financial resources available for the HHS programs, the school must use one of
the national need analysis systems or any other procedures approved by the Secretary of
Education. The school must also take into account other information that it has regarding the
student's financial status. For Title IV programs, the financial resources available is generally the
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) that is computed by the central processor and included on
the student's SAR and the ISIR provided to the institution.
For the HHS programs and the FPL, the costs reasonably necessary for the student's attendance
include any special needs and obligations which directly affect the student's ability to attend the
school. The school must document the criteria used for determining these costs. For Title IV
programs the COA is generally the sum of the following: tuition and fees; an allowance for books,
supplies, transportation and miscellaneous personal expenses; an allowance for room and board;
where applicable, allowances for costs for dependent care; costs associated with study abroad and
cooperative education; costs related to disabilities; and fees charged for student loans. There are
exceptions for students attending less than half time, correspondence students, and incarcerated
students. The financial aid administrator also has authority to use professional judgement to
adjust the COA on a case-by-case basis to allow for special circumstances (FPL, 34 CFR section
674.9; FWS, 34 CFR section 675.9; FSEOG, 34 CFR section 676.9; FFEL, 34 CFR section
682.603; Direct Loan 34 CFR sections 685.200 and 301; Pell 34 CFR section 690.75; HPSL, 42
CFR section 57.206(b); NSL, 42 CFR section 57.306(b); EFNS, 42 CFR section 57.2804(b),
57.2806; HEAL, 42 CFR section 60.51(f)); Sections 471 and 472 of the Act).
In addition to the following described requirements and limits, awards must be coordinated among
the various programs and with other Federal and nonfederal aid to assure that total aid is not
awarded in excess of the student's financial need (FPL, 34 CFR sections 674.14 and 674.15;
FWS, 34 CFR sections 675.14 and 675.15; FSEOG, 34 CFR sections 676.14 and 676.15; FFEL,
34 CFR section 682.603; Direct Loan, 34 CFR section 685.301; HPSL, 42 CFR section 57.206;
NSL, 42 CFR section 57.306(b); HEAL, 42 CFR section 60.51(f); EFNS, 42 CFR section
57.2806).
Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL), CFDA 93.342 The total amount of HPSL loans made to a student for a school year may not exceed $2,500 plus
the cost of tuition (42 CFR section 57.207). For medical and osteopathic students who are
applying for a HPSL loan, the school must make its selection based on the order of greatest
financial need, taking into consideration the other resources available to the student. The
resources may include summer earnings, educational loans, veteran (G.I.) Benefits, and earnings
during the school year (HPSL, 42 CFR section 57.206(c)). The total amount of NSL loans made
to a student for an academic year may not exceed $2,500 except that for each of the final two
academic years of the program the total must not exceed $4000. The total of all NSL loans may
not exceed $13,000 (NSL, 42 CFR section 57.307).
Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL), CFDA 93.108
The maximum amount allowable under this program is determined by health professions as
follows: (1) a medical, osteopathy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry or podiatry student
may receive no more than $20,000 per academic year and $80,000 in total; and, (2) a public
health, pharmacy or chiropractic student and a graduate in health administration, clinical
psychiatry and allied health may received no more than $12,500 per academic year and $50,000 in
total. The lender may disburse funds only for making loans in accordance with the HEAL
Insurance Contract (42 CFR sections 60.10(a) and 60.33).
Scholarship Program for Students of Exceptional Financial Need (EFNS), CFDA 93.820
This program applies to the health profession only. Scholarships must be awarded successively to
the eligible individual with the greatest financial need at that school (42 CFR section 57.2803(b)).
A scholarship will include the student's tuition for the first year of study, the cost of all other
reasonable educational expenses, and a stipend of $400 per month (adjusted in accordance with
Section 751(g)(3) of the Act) for 12 consecutive months beginning with the first month of the
school year (42 CFR section 57.2805). If a recipient ceases to be a full-time student at the
school, the school must discontinue all scholarship payments to a student and remit the unused
balance of the scholarship to the Federal Government (42 CFR section 57.2807)).
Federal Pell Grants (Pell)
Each year, based on the maximum Pell grant established by Congress, ED provides to institutions
Payment and Disbursement Schedules for determining Pell awards. The Payment or
Disbursement schedule provides the maximum annual amount a student would receive for a full
academic year for a given enrollment status, EFC and COA. The Payment Schedule is used to
determine the annual award for a full-time student. There are separate Disbursement Schedules
for three-quarter time, half-time and less than half-time students. All of the schedules, however,
are based on the COA of a full-time student for a full academic year (see Chapter 4 of the Federal
SFA Handbook for the year(s) being audited for guidance on selecting formulas for calculating
cost of attendance, prorating costs for programs less or greater than an academic year, and
determining payment periods). The steps to determine Pell awards are as follows:
(1) Determine the student's enrollment status (full-time, three-quarter time, half-time or less than
half-time).
(2) Calculate the cost of attendance. This is always based on the cost for a full-time for a full
academic year. If the student is enrolled in a program or enrollment period that is longer or
shorter than an academic year, the costs must be prorated so that they apply to one full academic
year. There are two allowable proration methods. Costs can be on an actual cost-per-student
basis or an average cost for groups of similar students. If the student is enrolled less than
half-time, the only allowable cost components are tuition and fees, allowance for books and
supplies, transportation allowance, and allowance for dependent care.
(3) Determine the annual award, based on the cost of attendance calculated above and the
Expected Family Contribution, from the Payment or Disbursement Schedule for the student's
enrollment status (i.e., full-time, three quarter-time, half-time or less than half-time).
(4) Determine the payment period. For term programs (semester, trimester, quarter), the payment
period is the term.
(5) Calculate the payment for the payment periods. The calculation of the payment for the
payment period may vary depending on the formula used, the length of the program compared to
the academic year, and whether the institution uses an alternative calculation for students who
attend summer terms (See Chapter 4 of the Federal SFA Handbook).
(6) Disburse funds at prescribed times (This is tested under section N, Special Tests and
Provisions) (34 CFR sections 690.3, 690.61 through 690. 67, Pell Grant Payment Schedules and
Federal SFA Handbook).
Campus-Based Programs (FPL, FWS, FSEOG)
The maximum amount that can be awarded under the campus-based programs is equal to the
student's financial need (COA minus EFC) minus aid from other SFA programs and other
resources. For programs of study or enrollment periods less than or greater than an academic
year, the COA for loans and campus-based aid is based on the student's actual costs for the period
for which need is being analyzed, rather than being prorated to the costs for a full-time student for
a full academic year. The financial aid administrator has discretion in awarding amounts from
each program, subject to certain limitations.
FSEOG
The FSEOG program provides grants to eligible undergraduate students. Priority is given to
Federal Pell recipients who have the lowest expected family contributions. The institution decides
the amount of the grant, which can be up to $4000 but not less than $100, for an academic year
(34 CFR sections 676.10 and 676.20).
FPL
Annual loan maximums at an institution not participating in the Expanded Lending Option (ELO)
Program are: $3000 for a student who has not successfully completed a program of
undergraduate education ($15,000 cumulative), or $5000 for a graduate or professional student
($30,000 cumulative, including loans borrowed as an undergraduate student) ( 34 CFR section
674.12 and the Federal SFA Handbook).
Annual loan maximums at institutions participating in the ELO Program are: $4000 for a student
who has not successfully completed a program of undergraduate education ($8000 cumulative for
a student who has not successfully completed two years of a program leading to a bachelor's
degree, $20,000 cumulative for a student who has successfully completed 2 years of a program
leading to a bachelor's degree but who has not completed the work necessary for the degree), or
$6000 for a graduate or professional student ($40,000 cumulative, including loans borrowed as an
undergraduate student) (34 CFR section 674.7 and the Federal SFA Handbook).
Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFEL, CFDA 84.032) In determining loan amounts for subsidized loans, the financial aid administrator subtracts from
the COA the EFC and the estimated financial assistance for the period of enrollment that the
student (or parent on behalf of the student) will receive from Federal, State, institutional or other
sources. Unsubsidized loans, PLUS loans, loans made by a school to assist the student, and
state-sponsored loans may be used to substitute for EFC (34 CFR sections 682.200 and 682.603,
sections 685.102 and 685.301).
The annual loan limits apply to the length of the school's academic year. Except for PLUS loans and for graduate or professional students, proration of a loan is required when a program is less than an academic year in either clock hours or credit hours or number of weeks; or a program exceeds an academic year but the portion of the program in excess of an academic year remaining is less than an academic year in length. For the purpose of determining loan limits, the number of years that a student has completed in a program of undergraduate study includes any prior enrollment (at the same or another institution) in an eligible program of undergraduate education for which the student was awarded an associate or bachelor's degree, as long as the degree is required by the school for admission to the program in which the student is currently enrolled. The loan limits described below apply to both the FFEL and Direct Loan programs and are cumulative. For example, an undergraduate student who has borrowed $10,000 in subsidized FFEL and $13,000 in subsidized direct loans has reached the aggregate undergraduate limit of $23,000 for both programs (34 CFR sections 682.204 and 685.203). Annual Limits for Subsidized Loans
For an undergraduate student who has not yet successfully completed the first year of study: (1)
up to $2,625 for a program of study at least an academic year in length; (2) up to $1,750 for a
program at least two-thirds of an academic year but less than a full year; and (3) up to $875 for a
program at least one third but less than two-thirds of an academic year.
For an undergraduate student who has successfully completed the first year but has not
successfully completed the second year of an undergraduate program: (1) up to $3,500 for a
program of study at least an academic year in length, and (2) for programs with less than an
academic year remaining, the loan must be prorated.
For an undergraduate student who has successfully completed the first and second year of study
but has not successfully completed the remainder of the program or for a student in a program
who has an associate or baccalaureate degree which is required for admission into the program:
(1) up to $5,500 for a program of study at least an academic year in length, and (2) for programs
with less than an academic year remaining, the loan must be prorated.
Graduate or professional students may borrow up to $8,500 per academic year.
Annual Limits for Unsubsidized Loans
A student may receive an unsubsidized loan for the amount that is the difference between the
subsidized amount for which he or she was eligible and the subsidized amount that he or she
received. For dependent undergraduate students, the unsubsidized loan is the difference between
the student's cost of attendance and the student's estimated financial assistance (including a
subsidized loan if the student qualifies for one). Loan limits are the same as for subsidized loans.
Additional eligibility for unsubsidized loans, beyond the base subsidized/unsubsidized amount, is
available to all independent students and to dependent students whose parents are likely to be
precluded by exceptional circumstances from receiving a PLUS loan, as determined by the SFA
administrator.
For a student who has not successfully completed the first two years of undergraduate study: (1)
up to $4000 for a program of study at least an academic year in length; (2) up to $2,500 for a
program at least two-thirds of an academic year but less than a full year; and, (3) up to $1,500 for
a program at least one third of an academic year but less than two-thirds of an academic year.
For a student who has successfully completed the first and second years of an undergraduate
program but who has not successfully completed the remainder of the program: (1) up to $5000
for a program of study at least an academic year in length; and, (2) for programs with less than a
full academic year remaining, the loan must be prorated.
Graduate or professional students may borrow up to $10,000 per academic year .
Exceptions: Annual increased loan limits for certain health professions students who previously
borrowed under the HEAL program are authorized. See Dear Colleague Letter GEN-96-14 and
subsequent Dear Colleague Letters for detailed information.
Aggregate Loan Limits for Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans
Aggregate loan limits for subsidized and unsubsidized loans is $23,000 for a dependent
undergraduate student; $46,000 for an independent student; and $138,500 ($65,500 subsidized
and $73,000 unsubsidized) for a graduate or professional student (includes loans for
undergraduate study).
Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
PLUS loans are limited to parent borrowers. A PLUS loan may not exceed the student's
estimated cost of attendance minus other financial aid awarded during the period of enrollment for
that student (FFEL, 34 CFR sections 682.201 and 682.204; Direct Loan, 34 CFR sections
685.200 and 685.203) .
2. Eligibility for Group of Individuals or Area of Service Delivery - Not Applicable
3. Eligibility for Subrecipients - Not Applicable
G. MATCHING, LEVEL OF EFFORT, AND/OR EARMARKING REQUIREMENTS
1. Matching
Federal Perkins Loan (CFDA 84.038)
The institution's matching share (Institutional Capital Contribution (ICC)) is one third of the
Federal Capital Contribution (FCC) (or 25 percent of the combined FCC and ICC), except that
schools participating the ELO program must provide a dollar for dollar match with the FCC (34
CFR sections 674.7 and 674.8).
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (CFDA 84.007)
The Federal share of awards may not exceed 75 percent of the total FSEOG awards made by the
school. The Secretary may authorize 100 percent Federal funding if certain conditions are met
(34 CFR section 676.21).
Federal Work Study (CFDA 84.033)
The Federal share of Federal Work Study (FWS) compensation paid a student employed other
than by a private for-profit organization may not exceed 75 percent of the total FWS awards
made by the school. The Federal share of FWS for work at private-for-profit organizations is
limited to 50 percent. A Federal share of 100 percent is allowable in two situations: (1) (a) the
institution is designated an eligible institution under the HEA Title III Strengthening Institutions
Program or the Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program, (b) the work
is performed by the student for the institution, a public agency, or a private nonprofit
organization, and (c) the increased Federal share was requested by the institution as part of its
FWS application for that year; or (2) (a) the student is employed as a reading tutor for children
who are in preschool through elementary school, and (b) the work is performed by the student for
the institution, a public agency, or a private nonprofit organization (34 CFR section 675.26).
Health Professions Student Loan (HPSL), CFDA 93.342 The institution's matching share (ICC) is one ninth of the FCC and must be deposited in a health
professions student loan fund (42 CFR sections 57.202 and 57.302).
2. Level of Effort - Not Applicable
3. Earmarking
Federal Work Study (CFDA 84.033)
An institution shall use at least 5 percent of its allocation for an award year to compensate
students employed in community service activities unless waived by the Secretary. The institution
can only use up to 10 percent of its FWS or $50,000 whichever is less for a JLD program (34
CFR sections 675.18 and 675.32).
L. REPORTING
1. Financial Reporting
a. SF-269, Financial Status Report - Not Applicable
b. SF-270, Request for Advance or Reimbursement - Not Applicable
c. SF-271, Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Program - Not
Applicable
d. SF-272, Federal Cash Transaction Report - Not Applicable
e. ED/PMS-272, Federal Cash Transactions Report - Status of Federal Cash and ED/PMS-272a,
Federal Cash Transactions Report (OMB No. 1880-0172) - These reports replace the SF-272
for the Pell, FPL, FSEOG, and FWS. They are required to be completed monthly or quarterly,
depending on the amount of funds received. The reports are sent by ED to the institution and are
completed and returned. This may done electronically or with hard copy (34 CFR section 668.14,
Federal SFA Handbook).
f. Pell Payment Data (OMB 1840-0668) - The Pell Payment Data is the term used to refer to the
electronic or magnetic payment record used to report to ED the Pell payments to students. The
record contains the EFC, COA, enrollment status and disbursement information. After the school
receives a SAR or ISIR, the school completes the Payment Data by filling in awards information.
The school periodically sends payment data to ED in a batch on one of three automated systems:
Electronic Data Exchange, Recipient Data Exchange or Floppy Disk Data Exchange. ED
processes the Payment Data and returns Processed Payment Data to the school. The Processed
Payment Data includes the information originally provided by the school along with ED
identification of what category each record was placed: Rejected, Accepted with Assumptions,
Duplicates and Accepted. In testing the Pell Payment data, the auditor should be most concerned
with the data ED has categorized as accepted or accepted with assumptions (34 CFR section
690.83 and Federal SFA Handbook).
2. Performance Reports - Not Applicable
3. Special Reports
Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) (ED Form 646-1) (OMB No.
1840-0073) - This electronic report is submitted annually to receive funds for the campus-based
programs. The school uses the Fiscal Operations Report portion to report its expenditures in the
previous award year and the Application to Participate portion to apply for the following year.
FISAPs are required to be submitted by October 1 following the end of the award year (which is
always June 30). For example, by October 1, 1997, the institution should submit its FISAP that
includes the Fiscal Operations Report for the award year ended June 30, 1997, and the
Application to Participate for the 1998-99 award year. Key items are as follows (FPL, FWS,
FSEOG 34 CFR section 674.3; FWS, 34 CFR section 675.3; FSEOG, 676.3, Instruction Booklet
for Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate):
Part II, Application Part III, Fiscal Operations Report Parts IV and V Part VI N. SPECIAL TESTS AND PROVISIONS
1. Separate Funds (HPSL, NSL, FPL)
Compliance Requirement - The institution must maintain a separate fund account for each
program (HPSL, 42 CFR section 57.205; NSL, 42 CFR part 305; and FPL 34 CFR sections
674.8 and 674.19).
Audit Objective - Determine whether separate fund account(s) were established.
Suggested Audit Procedures
Review accounting records to verify that a separate fund was established for each program.
2. Verification
Compliance Requirement - An institution shall require each applicant whose application is
selected by the central processor, based on edits specified by ED, to verify the items specified in
34 CFR section 668.56. The institution is not required to verify the applications of more than 30
percent of its total number of applicants. The institution shall also require applicants to verify any
information used to calculate EFC it has reason to believe is inaccurate. The institution is
required to establish written policies and procedures that incorporate provisions of 34 CFR
section 668.53 for verifying this information. Acceptable documentation for the items is listed in
34 CFR section 668.57.
Audit Objective - Determine whether the institution established policies and procedures to verify
information in student aid applications, and verified all required information of selected
applications in accordance with the requirements.
Suggested Audit Procedures
a. Review the institution's policies and procedures for verifying student applications and verify
that they meet the requirements of 34 CFR section 668.53.
b. Select a sample of applications that were selected for verification and review student aid files to
ascertain whether the institution obtained acceptable documentation to verify the information
required.
3. Disbursements To Or On Behalf of Students
Compliance Requirement
Title IV Programs - General
The institution may not make a disbursement to a student for a payment period or period of
enrollment until the student is enrolled in classes for the period. The earliest an institution may
disburse SFA funds other than FWS (either paying the student directly or crediting the student's
account) is 10 days before the first day of the payment period or period of enrollment for which
the disbursement is intended. However, institutions may not disburse or deliver the first
installment of FFEL or Direct Loans to first year undergraduates who are first time borrowers
until 30 days after the student's first day of classes.
If a student received financial aid while attending one or more other institutions, the financial aid
administrator must request a financial aid transcript (FAT) from the other institutions or obtain
the information from the National Student Loan Data System (See Dear Colleague Letter 96-13).
Once the FAT is requested, the institution can pay the student Pell and campus-based aid for one
payment period only and can certify a FFEL loan or originate a Direct Loan. However, the
institution can't release the proceeds of FFEL or Direct Loans or make any subsequent payments
under the Pell or campus-based programs until the FAT is received (34 CFR sections 668.19).
For students whose applications were selected for verification, if the institution has reason to
believe that information included in the application is inaccurate, the institution may not: (1)
disburse any Pell or campus-based aid; (2) employ the applicant in its FWS program; or (3) certify
FFEL loans or originate Direct Loans (or process proceeds of previously certified or originated
loans) until the applicant verifies or corrects the information. If the institution doesn't have any
reason to believe that the information is inaccurate, the institution may withhold payment aid and
loan certification, or may make one disbursement of Pell or campus-based aid, employ or allow an
employer to employ an eligible student under FWS for the first 60 consecutive days after the
student's enrollment and may certify the FFEL loan or originate the Direct Loan, but can't
process the proceeds. If the verification process is not complete after 45 days, the institution shall
return the proceeds to the lender (34 CFR section 668.58).
Pell
To disburse Pell funds, the institution must have received a valid ISIR from the central processor
or a valid SAR from the student by the earlier of the last work day in August following the end of
the award year or the last date that the student is still enrolled and eligible for payment. The
institution has discretion in disbursing funds within a payment period, but must disburse the full
amount before the end of the payment period. The institution must review and document the
student's eligibility before it makes a payment (34 CFR sections 690.61 and, 690.75 through
690.78).
FPL
If the institution is making a loan for a full academic year and uses standard academic terms, the institution must advance a portion of the loan during each payment period. If standard academic terms are not used, it must advance funds at least twice during the academic year - once at the beginning and once at the midpoint. Loan payments must be supported by a signed promissory note (34 CFR section 674.16). FFEL
The institution must determine that the student has maintained eligibility for the FFEL loan before
each disbursement of loan proceeds. Multiple disbursements are required and the institution is
required to provide the lender with a disbursement schedule. Loan funds provided by electronic
fund transfer or master check may not be requested earlier than: 27 days after the first day of
classes of the first payment period for a first-year, first-time Stafford Loan borrower; or 13 days
before the first day of classes for any subsequent payment period for a first-year, first-time
Stafford Loan borrower or for any payment period for all other FFEL borrowers (34 CFR
sections 682.603, 682.604 and 668.167).
Direct Loan
Except in the case of an allowable late disbursement (see 34 CFR Section 685.303(d)), before
disbursing the loan proceeds, the institution must determine that the student maintained
continuous eligibility from the beginning of the loan period described in the promissory note.
Option 1 and Option 2 institutions may not disburse loan proceeds until they have obtained a
legally enforceable promissory note. Option 1 and standard origination institutions may only
disburse funds for students listed on the Actual Disbursement Roster (34 CFR sections 685.301
and 685.303).
HEAL
Multiple disbursements are normally required and correspond to the borrower's educational
expenses for the period for which the disbursement is made. The school must indicated periods
and expenses on the loan application (HEAL, 42 CFR sections 60.33 and 60.52).
HPSL and NSL
Student loans may be paid to or on behalf of student borrowers in installments considered
appropriate by the school, except that a school may not pay to or on behalf of any borrowers
more than the school determines the student needs for any given installment period (e.g.,
semester, term, or quarter). At the time of payment a HSPL borrower must be a full time student,
a NSL borrower must be at least a half time student (HPSL, 42 CFR section 57.209; NSL, 42
CFR section 57.309). Each student loan must be evidenced by a properly executed promissory
note (HPSL, 42 CFR section 57.208; NSL, 42 CFR section 57.308).
FWS
The student's wages are earned when the work is performed. The institution shall pay the student
at least once per month. The Federal share must be paid by check or similar instrument the
student can cash on his or her endorsement (34 CFR section 675.16).
Audit Objective - Determine whether disbursements to students were made in accordance with
required time frames and required reviews were made and documents obtained before disbursing
SFA funds.
Suggested Audit Procedures
a. Review a sample of disbursements to students and verify that they were made in accordance
with required timeframes and for Direct Loan Option 1 and standard origination institutions, only
to the students listed on the Actual Disbursement Roster.
b. Review loan or other files to verify that the institution performed required procedures and
obtained required documents prior to disbursing funds.
4. Refunds
Compliance Requirement - A school is required to have a fair and equitable refund policy under
which the school shall make refunds of unearned tuition, fees, room and board and other charges
to a student who received HEA Title IV Student Financial Assistance. Under the FFEL program,
the school pays to the original lender (or subsequent holder, if the loan has been transferred and
the school knows the new holder's identity) the portion of the refund that is allocable to the loan.
Refund checks should be promptly processed (34 CFR section 668.22).
Calculation of Amounts
The refund policy should provide for a refund of at least the larger of the amount provided by: (1)
applicable State law; (2) the standards established by the institution's nationally recognized
accrediting agency and approved by the Secretary of Education; or (3) the pro rata refund
calculation described below, for any student attending the school for the first time, and who
withdrew on or before the 60 percent point of the enrollment period. After calculating all possible
refund amounts (State, accrediting agency, and statutory pro rata), the school must compare and
use the calculation that provides the largest refund. If the pro rata refund calculation in (3) above
does not apply (i.e., the student is not attending the institution for the first time or withdrew after
the 60% point in time for the enrollment period) and there are no standards for refunds established
by State law or the accrediting agency, the refund should be at least the larger of the amount
provided by (1) the Federal Refund calculation described below or (2) the school's policy (the
policy it uses for non-SFA students) (34 CFR section 668.22).
Refunds of $25 or less may not have to be repaid. A refund returned to an SFA loan program
would reduce the amount of the loan that a student would have to repay. A school may not keep
any portion of a refund that would be distributed to an SFA loan program unless the school has
written authorization from the student in the enrollment agreement to do so. The enrollment
agreement must explain clearly that the student is permitting the school to keep the funds, rather
than having the funds used to reduce the student's debt, should the student withdraw (34 CFR
section 668.22).
The pro rata refund referred to above means a refund of not less than that portion of the tuition,
fees, room, board, and other charges assessed the student by the institution equal to the portion of
the period of enrollment for which the student has been charged that remains on the withdrawal
date, rounded down to the nearest 10 percent of that period, less: (1) any unpaid amount of a
scheduled cash payment; (2) a reasonable administrative fee not to exceed the lesser of 5 percent
or $100; and, (3) documented costs of equipment issued to the student that is unreturnable or not
returned in good condition (34 CFR section 668.22).
The Federal refund calculation referred to above means a refund of not less than the portion of
institutional charges to be refunded as follows (34 CFR section 668.22):
1. If the student withdraws, drops out, or is expelled before the first day of classes:
(a) Any amount paid to the student under FPL, FSEOG and the Federal Pell grant programs are
considered an overpayment and must be returned to the respective program. (See 34 CFR
sections 668.21, 682.604(d) and 685.303)
(b) All loan proceeds under the FFEL and Direct Loan programs should be returned to the lender
within 30 days of the first day of the period of enrollment.
2. If the institution can't document that a student attended during the period of enrollment:
(a) Any amount paid to the student under FPL, FSEOG and Pell grant programs are considered
an overpayment and must be returned to the respective program.
(b) The institution shall return to FFEL or Direct Loan any loan proceeds directly credited to the student's account, and any amount paid by the student directly to the school, up to the amount of loan proceeds delivered by the school to the student. 3. If the student withdraws on the first day of classes, the institution must refund 100 percent of
institutional charges, less an administrative fee, if any, not to exceed the lesser of 5 percent or
$100.
4. If the student withdraws any time after the first day of classes up to and including the first 10
percent (in time) of the enrollment period, the institution must refund at least 90 percent of
institutional charges, less an administrative fee, if any, not to exceed the lesser of 5 percent or
$100.
5. If the student withdraws any time after the end of the first 10 percent of the enrollment period
up to and including the first 25 percent of the enrollment period, the institution must refund at
least 50 percent of institutional charges, less an administrative fee, if any, not to exceed the lesser
of 5 percent or $100.
6. If the student withdraws any time after the end of the first 25 percent of the enrollment period
up to and including the first 50 percent of the enrollment period, the institution must refund at
least 25 percent of institutional charges, less an administrative fee, if any, not to exceed the lesser
of 5 percent or $100.
The withdrawal date used to calculate the refund is the earlier of: (a) the date that the student
notifies an institution of the student's withdrawal, or the date of withdrawal specified by the
student, whichever is later; or (b) if the student drops out of the institution without notifying the
institution (does not withdraw officially), the last recorded date of class attendance by the student,
as documented by the institution.
Allocation of Refunds to Programs
Refunds must be distributed in the order prescribed below. The prescribed order must be
followed regardless of the school's agreements with other State agencies or private agencies (34
CFR section 668.22(h) and the Federal SFA Handbook).
1. Federal SLS Loan The school must pay the portion of a refund that is allocated to a HEAL loan directly to the
original lender or a subsequent holder of a note. The borrowers must be notified by the school of
such action (42 CFR section 60.54).
Timing of Refunds
Refunds due to the SFA programs (including Direct Loan) are required to be deposited to the
SFA accounts within 30 days or returned to the appropriate FFEL lender within 60 days of the
date the student officially withdraws, is expelled or the insitution determines the student
unofficially withdrew or no later than 30 days following the expiration of an approved leave of
absence. See Chapter 3 of the Federal SFA Handbook for a detailed discussion on determining a
withdrawal date (34 CFR sections 668.22, 682.607, and 685.306).
Audit Objective - Determine whether the institution is making refunds in the proper amount and
in a timely manner and is applying the refunds to Federal programs as required.
Suggested Audit Procedures
a. Identify a sample of students who withdrew or dropped during the refund period. Review
refund determination/calculation for conformity with requirements.
b. Trace refunds to disbursement and accounting records (including canceled checks to lenders
and students) to verify that refunds were applied to programs in the required order, that
disbursements to lenders and students were made when applicable and that credits and payments
were made within required time frames.
c. For a sample of students for which no refunds were made, review academic records to ascertain
whether the students completed the enrollment period. For students who received all failing
and/or incomplete grades, review attendance records to ascertain whether the students had
dropped out and were due a refund.
5. Student Status Changes (HEAL, FFEL and Direct Loan)
Compliance Requirement - Each school must notify the holder of the HEAL loan of any change
in the student's enrollment status within 30 days following the change in status. The school must
also notify the lender of any change in the student's name or address. Under the FFEL and Direct
Loan programs, schools must complete and return within 30 days of receipt student status
confirmation reports sent by guaranty agencies and the Secretary. Unless the school expects to
complete its next student status report within 60 days, the school must notify lender or guaranty
agency (for FFEL loans) or the Secretary (for Direct Loans) within 30 days, if it discovers that a
student who received a loan either did not enroll or ceased to be enrolled on at least a half-time
basis ( HEAL, 42 CFR 60.53; FFEL, 34 CFR section 682.610; Direct Loan 34 CFR section
685.309). (Note: This process is undergoing revision. When revised, the institution will
receive/submit SSCR data to the National Student Loan Data System maintained by ED (or a
contractor), rather than to the guaranty agencies.)
Audit Objective - Determine whether the institution is promptly notifying lenders (or other
appropriate parties) of changes in student status in a timely and accurate manner.
Suggested Audit Procedures
a. Select a sample of HEAL borrowers that graduated, withdrew or dropped out during the
period. Review loan or correspondence files to verify that the institution notified the lender of the
change in student status within the required time frame.
b. Select a sample of FFEL/Direct Loan borrowers that graduated, withdrew or dropped out
during the period. Verify that the change in student status was reported to the lender or other
appropriate party within 30 days, or was included in a student status confirmation report within
60 days.
6. Student Loan Repayments (FPL, HPSL and NSL)
Compliance Requirement - Each student loan, including accrued interest, will be repayable in
equal or graduated periodic installments in amounts calculated on the basis of a 10 year repayment
period. Except as required in 42 CFR section 57.210(a), a repayment of a HPSL loan must begin
one year after the student ceases to be a full time student. For a NSL loan, repayment must begin
nine months after the student ceases to be a full time or half time student, except as required in 42
CFR section 57.310(a). For a FPL loan, the institution must establish a repayment plan. The
repayment period begins after an initial grace period of either six months or nine months after the
student ceases to be at least a half-time student at an institution of higher education, depending on
when the loan was made (34 CFR section 674.31(b)(2).
Borrowers may be eligible for loan deferments or cancellations under certain circumstances.
Examples of when loan payments may be deferred are when the borrower is in certain student
statuses at other eligible institutions, employed as a full-time teacher at certain schools, employed
full-time in other specified occupations, or serving in the military or as a volunteer in the Peace
Corps, ACTION programs or other programs deemed to be comparable. Loans may be canceled
based on full-time employment as a teacher at certain schools or specified fields, other qualifying
employment, military or other volunteer service, and death or disability. Cancellation rates
(amount of loan that is canceled for each year of qualifying service) vary, depending on the
criteria. Specific requirements for deferment and cancellation vary, depending on when the loan
was made. To qualify for a deferment or cancellation, the borrower is required to submit to the
institution to which the loan is owed a written request for the deferment or cancellation, with
documentation required by the institution, by the date established by the institution (FPL, 34 CFR
sections 674.33 through 674.40 and 674.51 through 674.62; HSPL, 42 CFR sections 57.201,
57.211 and 212; NSL, 42 CFR section 57.311 through 313a).
Institutions must exercise due care and diligence in the collection of loans (For HPSL and NSL
see 42 CFR section 57.210(b) and 42 CFR section 57.310(b), respectively). For the FPL, such
due diligence procedures include the following:
(1) A requirement to conduct an exit interview with the borrower before he or she leaves the
institution and to contact the borrower a minimum of three times during the initial grace period
for loans with nine month grace periods or two times for loans with six month grace periods (34
CFR section 674.42).
(2) Specific billing procedures to notify borrowers of overdue payments and to demand overdue
amounts (see 34 CFR section 674. 43).
(3) Specific collection procedures to recover amounts from defaulted borrowers who do not
respond satisfactorily to demands routinely made as part of the institution's billing procedures,
including litigation procedures (see 34 CFR section 674.45).
Audit Objective - Determine whether institutions are processing deferment and cancellation
requests and servicing loans as required.
Suggested Audit Procedures
a. Select a sample of loans that entered repayment during the audit period and review loan records
to verify that the conversion to repayment was timely, and that a repayment plan was established.
b. Review the institution's requirements for applying for and documenting eligibility for loan
deferments and cancellations. Select a sample of loan deferments and loan cancellations and
review documentation to ascertain whether the deferments or cancellations were adequately
supported.
c. Select a sample of defaulted loans and review loan records to ascertain whether the required
interviews, contacts, billing procedures and collection procedures were carried out.
7. Federal Work Study Agreements
Compliance Requirement - FWS students may be employed by the institution, a Federal, State
or local agency, a private not-for-profit organization or a private for-profit organization but the
employment must not: (1) impair existing service contracts; (2) displace employees; (3) fill jobs
that are vacant because the employer's regular employees are on strike; or (4) involve the
construction, operation, or maintenance of any part of a facility used or to be used for religious
worship or sectarian instruction. The institution must enter into a written agreement with any
agency or organization providing employment under the FWS program. If the student is
employed by a Federal, State, local agency or a private-nonprofit organization, the work that the
student performs must be in the public interest. If a student is employed by a private for-profit
organization, the work that the student performs must be academically relevant to the student's
educational program (34 CFR sections 675.20 through 675.23).
Audit Objective - Determine whether written agreements with employers are made as required.
Suggested Audit Procedures
Select a sample of participating students and ascertain if written agreements with the employers
were executed.
IV. OTHER INFORMATION
Pell Adjustments - The following is intended to alert auditors that their clients may request
them to perform additional audit work in conjunction with the single audit, in order to
claim Pell adjustments. It is not intended that this be covered otherwise.
All Pell Payment Data for an award year must be submitted by September 30 after the award year. Adjustments for Pell grants not claimed by September 30 can be made if the first audit report for the period in which the unclaimed Pell grants were made contains a finding that the institution made proper Pell awards for which it has not received either reimbursement or credit. ED has issued a Dear Colleague Letter (GEN 94-14) that provides instructions to institutions for reporting the Pell adjustments and describes the auditor's responsibilities. As of the date of this Compliance Supplement, ED was in the process of issuing a new Dear Colleague Letter which will supersede GEN 94-14.
FEDERAL STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS STUDENT ELIGIBILITY COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
OTHER CLUSTERS
Programs Included in this Supplement Deemed to Be Other Clusters
Agency CFDA No. Name of Other Cluster/Program
Food Stamp Cluster Section 8 Cluster CDBG - Entitlement and (HUD-Administered) Small Cities Medicaid Cluster Programs Not Included in this Supplement Deemed to Be Other Clusters
Agency CFDA No. Name of Other Cluster/Program
Nutrition Cluster Rural Rental Housing Cluster Transit Capital Grants Cluster HIV Emergency Relief Cluster Foster Grandparent, Senior Companion Cluster Corporation for National 1. Does not always apply to unsubsidized loans. PART 6 - INTERNAL CONTROL INTRODUCTION
The A-102 Common Rule and OMB Circular A-110 require that non-Federal entities receiving
Federal awards (e.g., auditee management) establish and maintain internal control designed to
reasonably ensure compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance
requirements. OMB Circular A-133 requires auditors to obtain an understanding of the
non-Federal entity's internal control over Federal programs sufficient to plan the audit to support
a low assessed level of control risk for major programs, plan the testing of internal control over
major programs to support a low assessed level of control risk for the assertions relevant to the
compliance requirements for each major program, and, unless internal control is likely to be
ineffective, perform testing of internal control as planned.
This Part 6 is intended to assist non-Federal entities and their auditors in complying with these
requirements by describing for each type of compliance requirement, the objectives of internal
control, and certain characteristics of internal control that when present and operating effectively
may ensure compliance with program requirements. However, the categorizations reflected in
this Part 6 may not necessarily reflect how an entity considers and implements internal control.
Also, this part is not a checklist of required internal control characteristics. Non-Federal entities
could have adequate internal control even though some or all of the characteristics included in
Part 6 are not present. Further, non-Federal entities could have other appropriate internal
controls operating effectively that have not been included in this Part 6. Non-Federal entities and
their auditors will need to exercise judgment in determining the most appropriate and cost
effective internal control in a given environment or circumstance to provide reasonable assurance
for compliance with Federal program requirements.
The objectives of internal control pertaining to the compliance requirements for Federal programs
(Internal control over Federal Programs), as found in §____.105 of OMB Circular A-133, are as
follows:
(1) Transactions are properly recorded and accounted for to: (i) Permit the preparation of reliable financial statements and Federal reports; (ii) Maintain accountability over assets; and (iii) Demonstrate compliance with laws, regulations, and other compliance requirements;
(2) Transactions are executed in compliance with: (i) Laws, regulations, and the provisions of contracts or grant agreements that could have a direct and material effect on a Federal program; and (ii) Any other laws and regulations that are identified in the compliance supplements; and
(3) Funds, property, and other assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized use or
disposition.
The characteristics of internal control are presented in the context of the components of internal
control discussed in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (COSO Report), published by the
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The COSO Report
provides a framework for organizations to design, implement, and evaluate control that will
facilitate compliance with the requirements of Federal laws, regulations, and program compliance
requirements. Statement on Auditing Standards No. 78 (SAS 78), Consideration of Internal
Control in a Financial Statement Audit, issued by the Auditing Standards Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and a related AICPA audit guide,
Consideration of Internal Control in a Financial Statement Audit, incorporate the components of
internal control presented in the COSO Report. SAS 78 is effective for audits of financial
statements for periods beginning on or after January 1, 1997. Early application of the provisions
in SAS 78 are permitted, however, this Supplement does not require early implementation of SAS
78.
This Part 6 describes characteristics of internal control relating to each of the five components of
internal control that should reasonably assure compliance with the requirements of Federal laws,
regulations, and program compliance requirements. A description of the components of internal
control and examples of characteristics common to the 14 types of compliance requirements are
listed below. Objectives of internal control and examples of characteristics specific to each of the
14 types of compliance requirements follow this introduction.
Control Environment sets the tone of an organization influencing the control consciousness of
its people. It is the foundation for all other components of internal control, providing discipline
and structure.
Risk Assessment is the entity's identification and analysis of relevant risks to achievement of its
objectives, forming a basis for determining how the risks should be managed.
- Key managers have been given responsibility to identify and communicate changes. - Employees who require close supervision (e.g. inexperienced) are identified. - Management has identified and assessed complex operations, programs, or projects. - Management is aware of results of monitoring, audits, and reviews and considers related risk of noncompliance.
Control Activities are the policies and procedures that help ensure that management's directives
are carried out.
- Data entry controls, e.g., edit checks. - Exception reporting. - Access controls. - Reviews of input and output data. - Computer general controls and security controls.
Information and Communication are the identification, capture, and exchange of information in
a form and time frame that enable people to carry out their responsibilities.
- Staff meetings. - Bulletin boards. - Memos, circulation files, e-mail. - Surveys, suggestion box.
Monitoring is a process that assesses the quality of internal control performance over time.
A. ACTIVITIES ALLOWED OR UNALLOWED and B. ALLOWABLE COSTS/COST PRINCIPLES
Control Objectives
To provide reasonable assurance that Federal awards are expended only for allowable activities
and that the costs of goods and services charged to Federal awards are allowable and in
accordance with the applicable cost principles.
Control Environment
Risk Assessment
Control Activities
Information and Communication
Monitoring
C. CASH MANAGEMENT
Control Objectives
To provide reasonable assurance that the draw down of Federal cash is only for immediate needs,
States comply with applicable Treasury agreements, and recipients limit payments to subrecipients
to immediate cash needs.
Control Environment
Risk Assessment
Control Activities
- Procedures for requesting cash advances as close as is administratively possible to actual cash outlays; - Monitoring of cash management activities; - Repayment of excess interest earnings where required.
- Programs covered by the agreement; - Methods of funding to be used; - Method used to calculate interest; and - Procedures for determining check clearing patterns (if applicable for the funding method).
Information and Communication
Monitoring
D. DAVIS-BACON ACT
Control Objectives
To provide reasonable assurance that contractors and subcontractors paid prevailing wage rates
for projects covered by the Davis-Bacon Act.
Control Environment
Risk Assessment
Control Activities
Information and Communication
Monitoring
E. ELIGIBILITY
Control Objectives
To provide reasonable assurance that only eligible individuals and organizations receive assistance
under Federal award programs, that subawards are made only to eligible subrecipients, and that
amounts provided to or on behalf of eligibles were calculated in accordance with program
requirements.
Control Environment
Risk Assessment
Control Activities
Information and Communication
Monitoring
F. EQUIPMENT AND REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Control Objectives
To provide reasonable assurance that proper records are maintained for equipment acquired with
Federal awards, equipment is adequately safeguarded and maintained, disposition or encumbrance
of any equipment or real property is in accordance with Federal requirements, and the Federal
awarding agency is appropriately compensated for its share of any property sold or converted to
non-Federal use.
Control Environment
Risk Assessment
Control Activities
Information and Communication
Monitoring
G. MATCHING, LEVEL OF EFFORT, EARMARKING
Control Objectives
To provide reasonable assurance that matching, level of effort, or earmarking requirements are
met using only allowable funds or costs which are properly calculated and valued.
Control Environment
- Responsibilities for determining required amounts or limits for matching, level of effort, or earmarking. - Methods of valuing matching requirements, e.g., "in-kind" contributions of property and services, calculations of levels of effort. - Allowable costs that may be claimed for matching, level of effort, or earmarking. - Methods of accounting for and documenting amounts used to calculate amounts claimed for
matching, level of effort, or earmarking.
Risk Assessment
Control Activities
- Are from non-Federal sources. - Involve Federal funding, directly or indirectly. - Were used for another federally-assisted program. Note: Generally, matching contributions must be from a non-Federal source and may not involve Federal funding or be used for another federally-assisted program.
Information and Communication
- Separately accounting for data used to support matching, level of effort, or earmarking amounts or limits or calculations. - Ensuring that expenditures or expenses, refunds, and cash receipts or revenues are properly classified and recorded only once as to their effect on matching, level of effort, or earmarking. - Documenting the value of "in-kind" contributions of property or services, including: -- Basis for local labor market rates for valuing volunteer services. -- Payroll records or confirmation from other organizations for services provided by their employees. -- Quotes, published prices, or independent appraisals used as the basis for donated equipment,
supplies, land, buildings, or use of space.
Monitoring
H. PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY OF FEDERAL FUNDS
Control Objectives
To provide reasonable assurance that Federal funds are used only during the authorized period of
availability.
Control Environment
Risk Assessment
Control Activities
Information and Communication
Monitoring
I. PROCUREMENT AND SUSPENSION DEBARMENT
Control Objectives
To provide reasonable assurance that procurement of goods and services are made in compliance
with the provisions of the A-102 Common Rule or OMB Circular A-110, as applicable, and that
no subaward, contract, or agreement for purchases of goods or services is made with any
debarred or suspended party.
Control Environment
Risk Assessment
Control Activities
- Contract files that document significant procurement history. - Methods of procurement, authorized including selection of contract type, contractor selection or rejection, and the basis of contract price. - Verification that procurements provide full and open competition. - Requirements for cost or price analysis, including for contract modifications. - Obtaining and reacting to suspension and debarment certifications. - Other applicable requirements for procurements under Federal awards are followed.
- Contains or references the Federal requirements; - Prohibits the award of a subaward, covered contract, or any other covered agreement for program administration, goods, services, or any other program purpose with any suspended or debarred party; and - Requires staff to obtain certifications from entities receiving subawards (contract and
subcontract) over $100,000, certifying that the organization and its principals are not suspended
or debarred.
Information and Communication
- The basis for contractor selection; - Justification for lack of competition when competitive bids or offers are not obtained; and - The basis for award cost or price.
Monitoring
J. PROGRAM INCOME
Control Objectives
To provide reasonable assurance that program income is correctly earned, recorded, and used in
accordance with the program requirements.
Control Environment
Risk Assessment
Control Activities
Information and Communication
Monitoring
K. REAL PROPERTY ACQUISITION ANDRELOCATION ASSISTANCE
Control Objectives
To provide reasonable assurance of compliance with the real property acquisition, appraisal,
negotiation, and relocation requirements.
Control Environment
Risk Assessment
Control Activities
Information and Communication
Monitoring
L. REPORTING
Control Objectives
To provide reasonable assurance that reports of Federal awards submitted to the Federal
awarding agency or pass-through entity include all activity of the reporting period, are supported
by underlying accounting or performance records, and are fairly presented in accordance with
program requirements.
Control Environment
Risk Management
Control Activities
Information and Communication
Monitoring
M. SUBRECIPIENT MONITORING
Control Objectives
To provide reasonable assurance that Federal award information and compliance requirements are
identified to subrecipients, subrecipient activities are monitored, subrecipient audit findings are
resolved, and the impact of any subrecipient noncompliance on the pass-through entity is
evaluated. Also, the pass-through entity should perform procedures to provide reasonable
assurance that the subrecipient obtained required audits and takes appropriate corrective action on
audit findings.
Control Environment
- They are willing and able to comply with the requirements of the award and - They have accounting systems, including the use of applicable cost principles, and internal control systems adequate to administer the award.
Risk Assessment
- Economic conditions. - Political conditions. - Regulatory changes. - Unreliable information.
- Financial problems that could lead to diversion of grant funds. - Loss of essential personnel. - Loss of license or accreditation to operate program. - Rapid growth. - New activities, products, or services. - Organizational restructuring.
Control Activities
- Determining by inquiry and discussions whether subrecipient met thresholds requiring an audit under OMB Circular A-133. - If an audit is required, assuring that the subrecipient submits the report, report package or the documents required by OMB circulars and/or recipient's requirements. - If a subrecipient was required to obtain an audit in accordance with OMB Circular A-133 but did not do so, following up with the subrecipient until the audit is completed. Taking appropriate actions such as withholding further funding until the subrecipient meets the audit requirements.
- Issuing timely management decisions for audit and monitoring findings to inform the subrecipient whether the corrective action planned is acceptable. - Maintain a system to track and following-up on reported deficiencies related to programs funded by the recipient and ensure that timely corrective action is taken. - Regular contacts with subecipients and appropriate inquiries concerning the Federal program - Reviewing subrecipient reports and following-up on areas of concern. - Monitoring subrecipient budgets. - Performing site visits to subrecipient to review financial and programmatic records and observe operations. - Offering subrecipients technical assistance where needed.
- Communication of Federal award requirements to subrecipients. - Responsibilities for monitoring subrecipients. - Process and procedures for monitoring. - Methodology for resolving findings of subrecipient noncompliance or weaknesses in internal control. - Requirements for and processing of subrecipient audits, including appropriate adjustment of
pass-through entity's accounts.
Information and Communication
- A listing of Federal requirements that the subrecipient must follow. Items can be specifically listed in the award document, attached as an exhibit to the document, or incorporated by reference to specific criteria. - The description and program number for each program as stated in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). If the program funds include pass-through funds from another recipient, the pass-through program information should also be identified. - A statement signed by an official of the subrecipient, stating that the subrecipient was informed of, understands, and agrees to comply with the applicable compliance requirements.
Monitoring
PART 7 - GUIDANCE FOR AUDITING PROGRAMS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS COMPLIANCE SUPPLEMENT Purpose - OMB Circular A-133 (§__.500(d)(3)) states that for those Federal programs not
covered in the compliance supplement, the auditor should use the types of compliance
requirements (see 14 types of compliance requirements described in Part 3) contained in the
compliance supplement as guidance for identifying the types of compliance requirements to test,
and determine the requirements governing the Federal program by reviewing the provisions of
contract and grant agreements and the laws and regulations referred in such contract and grant
agreements.
The purpose of this Part is to provide the auditor with guidance on how to identify the applicable
compliance requirements for programs not included in this Supplement for single audits and for
program-specific audits when a program-specific audit guide is not available. This Supplement
only includes a few of the largest and/or riskiest Federal programs. However, there are more than
600 assistance programs currently funded by the Federal Government. Therefore, it is likely that
the auditor will encounter programs that the auditor is required to test as major programs which
are not included in this Compliance Supplement. For this reason, the following guidance is
provided for the auditor to identify those compliance requirements that should be tested.
Organization of this Supplement - First, a review of how this Supplement is organized will be
helpful, since the auditor must consider several parts of the Supplement in identifying compliance
requirements to be tested. This Supplement is comprised of the following parts:
Part 1 - Background, Purpose, and Applicability In determining the compliance requirements to test for programs not included in this Supplement,
the auditor shall to refer to Parts 3 and 5. Part 3 identifies and describes the 14 types of
compliance requirements where noncompliance may have a direct and material effect on a Federal
program and provides audit objectives and suggested audit procedures. The 14 types of
compliance requirements are:
A. Activities Allowed or Unallowed Part 5 enumerates those programs that are considered to be clusters of programs as defined by
OMB Circular A-133 (§__.105). A cluster of programs means Federal programs with different
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers that are defined as a cluster of
programs because they are closely related programs and share compliance requirements. Part 5
identifies research and development (R&D) and Student Financial Aid (SFA) as clusters, as well
as certain other clusters. Also, Part 5 identifies other clusters of programs that are not yet
included in this Supplement.
For programs not included in this Supplement, the auditor must determine the applicable
compliance requirements. While a Federal program may have many compliance requirements,
normally there are only a few key compliance requirements that could have a direct and material
effect on the program. Since the single audit process is not intended to cover every compliance
requirement, this Supplement and the auditor's focus should be on the 14 types of compliance
requirements enumerated in Part 3. The following are suggested procedures to assist the auditor
in making this determination.
Although the focus of this Supplement is on compliance requirements that could have a direct and
material effect on a major program, auditors also have responsibility under Generally Accepted
Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS) for other requirements when specific information
comes to the auditors' attention that provides evidence concerning the existence of possible
noncompliance that could have a material indirect effect on a major program.
Steps for Identifying Compliance Requirements
Determining what compliance requirements to test involves several steps. The auditor should
address the following questions:
1. What are the program objectives, program procedures, and compliance requirements for a specific program? 2. Which of the compliance requirements could have a direct and material effect on the program? 3. Which of the compliance requirements are susceptible to testing by the auditor? 4. Into which of the 14 types of compliance requirements does each compliance requirement fall? 5. For Special Tests and Provisions, what are the applicable audit objectives and audit
procedures?
1. What are the program objectives, program procedures, and compliance requirements for a
specific program?
The first step is to gain an understanding of how the program works (e.g., the program objectives
and procedures) and determine what laws, regulations, and provisions of contract or grant
agreements (compliance requirements) apply to the program. The auditor should consider the
following steps:
a. Discuss the program with the non-Federal entity and, if necessary, the Federal agency or, in the
case of a subrecipient, the pass-through entity.
b. Review the contract and grant agreements and referenced laws and regulations applicable to the
program, including any amendments or closeout agreements. The documents or agreements may
identify the name and telephone number of a Federal contact person or, if a subaward, the contact
person for the pass-through entity whom the auditor may wish to contact for additional
information.
Note: The auditor should be aware that a particular non-Federal entity or Federal award may be
subject to provisions that are unique to that entity or award. For example, previous
noncompliance by a non-Federal entity may result in additional, requirements to which the
non-Federal entity must adhere in order to continue its participation in the Federal program. Such
provisions would generally not be based on laws and regulations applicable to all awards under
the Federal program. Reasonable procedures to identify such compliance requirements would be
inquiry of non-Federal entity management and review of the contract and grant agreements
pertaining to the program. Any such requirements identified which could have a direct and
material effect on a major program should be included in the audit.
c. Review the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA). The CFDA provides summary
information about each program and includes the name and telephone number of a Federal contact
person. A searchable copy of the CFDA is available through the Internet on the GSA Home Page
(http://www.gsa.gov/fdac).
d. For audits of Public and Indian Housing Authorities and certain Department of Education
Programs, the auditor should refer to the separate supplements issued by these agencies as
described in Part 1, Background, Purpose, and Applicability.
e. If there is a program-specific audit guide or other audit guidance issued by the Federal agency's
Office of Inspector General (OIG), the auditor may wish to consider this guidance in identifying
the program objectives, program procedures, and compliance requirements. The availability of
program audit guides can be determined by consulting the President's Council on Integrity &
Efficiency (PCIE) publication, Revised Program Audit Guide Listing (available from the
Government Printing Office) or by contacting the appropriate Regional OIG. A copy of this
document is available on the Internet at IGNET, PCIE Single Audit Guidance
(http://www.sbaonline.sba.gov/ignet/single/pcie.html).
f. Determine whether the program was included in previously issued compliance supplements (i.e.,
"Audits of States and Local Governments," issued in 1990, and "Audits of Institutions of Higher
Education and Other Non-Profit Organizations," issued in 1991. ). If included, consider whether
the prior guidance is helpful and has continuing relevance.
2. Which of the compliance requirements could have a direct and material effect on the
program?
Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards require that the auditor plan the audit to
provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements are free of material misstatement
resulting from violations of laws and regulations that have a direct and material effect on the
determination of financial statement amounts. OMB Circular A-133 requires the auditor to
perform procedures to determine whether the non-Federal entity has complied with laws,
regulations, and the provisions of contract or grant agreements that could have a direct and
material effect on each major program. Therefore, the auditor must determine which compliance
requirements could have a direct and material effect on each major program.
In assessing materiality, the auditor should consider that materiality is based on qualitative as well
as quantitative aspects. Also, the auditor should consider whether to set materiality at lower
levels in audits of Federal programs than private sector audits of financial statements due to the
visibility and sensitivity of such programs. Examples of characteristics indicative of compliance
requirements that could have a direct and material effect on a major program include:
Noncompliance could likely result in questioned costs. The requirement affects a large part of the Federal program (e.g., a material amount of program dollars). Noncompliance could cause the Federal agency, or pass-through entity in the case of a
subrecipient, to take action, such as seeking reimbursement of all or a part of the award and
suspending the recipient's or subrecipient's participation in the program.
3. Which of the compliance requirements are susceptible to testing by the auditor?
The auditor is only expected to test compliance for those requirements which are susceptible to
testing by the auditor (i.e., the requirements can be evaluated against objective criteria, and the
auditor can reasonably be expected to have sufficient basis for recognizing noncompliance).
Further, the auditor would not be expected to test for compliance with requirements that the
Federal agency should have the ability to verify in the normal course of administering the program
(e.g., if the requirement is that the non-Federal entity must file a report by a certain date, the
Federal agency should know whether it received the report on time). Characteristics of
compliance requirements that auditors are typically expected to test include those:
Which are practical to test. With objective criteria available for the auditor to assess compliance. Where an audit objective can be written that supports an opinion on compliance. When testing adds value, for example: - It is likely that the auditor could document the noncompliance in a manner that: (1) permits the Federal or pass-through entity to take action, or (2) gives the Federal or pass-through entity an early warning to initiate a monitoring visit or other contact with the non-Federal entity. - The Federal or pass-through entity does not otherwise have information that verifies compliance.
4. Into which of the 14 types of compliance requirements does each compliance requirement
fall?
Note: In performing this step, the auditor may find it helpful to prepare a matrix similar to the
matrix included in Part 2 for programs included in this Supplement.
The auditor shall use the 14 types of compliance requirements listed for identifying which
requirements applicable to the program are subject to testing. Not all compliance requirements
apply to all programs. Conversely, certain types almost always apply.
A. Activities Allowed or Unallowed almost always applies to Federal programs. The auditor
should look at the program requirements and Federal award documents for what constitutes
allowable or unallowable activities.
B. Allowable Costs/Cost Principles almost always applies since most Federal programs have
charges for goods or services. However, if a program only involves benefits to eligible recipients,
with no administrative costs, purchases of goods or services (including salaries and overhead), or
allocated costs, then allowable costs may not apply.
C. Cash Management almost always applies to Federal programs. An exception would be a
Federal award that operates on a cost reimbursement basis only with no cash being advanced.
D. Davis-Bacon Act only applies as required by the Act itself, the Department of Labor's (DOL)
governmentwide implementation of the Davis-Bacon Act, or by Federal program legislation, for
construction contracts in excess of $2000 financed by Federal funds. The auditor should review
award documents to determine whether the Davis-Bacon Act applies.
E. Eligibility applies to most Federal programs which provide benefits to individuals, groups of
individuals, or make subawards. For programs with eligibility requirements, the auditor should
review the program laws, regulations, and provisions of contract or grant agreements to
determine the specific eligibility requirements. Eligibility involves not only individuals but also
possibly groups of individuals, geographical areas, or subrecipients. Additionally, the auditor
should consider whether continuing, as well as initial, eligibility requirements apply. Furthermore,
eligibility involves both who is eligible and the amount of benefits provided to the eligible.
F. Equipment and Real Property Management requirements applies to Federal programs
which purchase equipment or real property.
G. Matching, Level of Effort, Earmarking is not universal, and, if applicable, would be specific
to the Federal program and often the non-Federal entity. Therefore, the auditor will have to
review the laws, regulations, contract or grant agreements applicable to the program to determine
specific requirements for matching, level of effort, and/or earmarking.
H. Period of Availability of Federal Funds almost always applies to Federal programs. The
contract or grant agreement applicable to the program often indicates the period during which the
funds are available for obligation under the program. The auditor should also look for program
requirements regarding carry-over of unused funds to future funding periods, and whether
pre-award costs are allowable, to what extent, and under what circumstances.
I. Procurement and Suspension and Debarment applies any time the entity procures goods or
services. Suspension and debarment applies to both procurements and subawards.
J. Program Income applies to any program that generates program income (primarily related to
the disposition of the income). Program regulations or the contract or
grant agreements
applicable to the program may specify additional criteria.
K. Real Property Acquisition and Relocation Assistance only applies as required by the
Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (URA) for
payments to persons displaced from their homes, businesses, or farms by federally-assisted
programs. While this requirement only applies to a few programs, when it does apply, it is
generally a significant aspect of the program. For example, the U.S. Department of
Transportation (DOT) funds many programs to construct highways in which real property
acquisition and relocation assistance is a significant part of the program activities. The U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development has the most transactions subject to the URA
and the DOT has the most Federal dollars affected.
L. Reporting almost always applies to Federal programs. However, often the Federal agency or
pass-through entity, with OMB Paperwork Reduction Act approval, has developed its own forms
for financial reporting in addition to or in lieu of the standard Federal financial reports. The
auditor should determine whether the standard reports are used, and if not, what forms are used
to report the same or similar information. The auditor should be aware that reporting may include
electronic submissions for which there may be no physical document.
For performance reporting and special reporting, if there is a program in this Supplement funded
by the same Federal agency that requires the same performance or special reporting required by
the program for which the auditor is seeking to identify compliance requirements, and this
Supplement requires testing of those data, then the auditor should use such guidance in identifying
compliance requirements to test. Otherwise, the auditor is only required to test financial
reporting.
M. Subrecipient Monitoring applies when Federal awards are passed through to a subrecipient.
If the entity is not a pass-through entity, this requirement does not apply.
N. Special Tests and Provisions includes those compliance requirements that do not fit the
description of the types of compliance requirements discussed above. These will generally be the
most difficult type of compliance requirement to identify because, by definition, they are unique to
each program. In addition to reviewing the program's contract and grant agreements and
referenced laws and regulations, the auditor should also make inquires of the non-Federal entity to
help identify and understand Special Tests and Provisions.
For each of the types of compliance requirements listed above, except for Special Tests and
Provisions, the auditor shall consider the compliance requirements and related audit objectives in
Part 3. In making a determination not to test a compliance requirement, the auditor must
conclude that the requirement either does not apply to the particular non-Federal entity or that
noncompliance with the requirement could not have a material effect on a major program (e.g.,
the auditor would not be expected to test Procurement if the non-Federal entity charges only
small amounts of purchases to a major program). The suggested audit procedures in Part 3 are
provided to assist auditors in planning and performing tests of non-Federal entity compliance with
the requirements of Federal programs. Auditor judgment will be necessary to determine whether
the suggested audit procedures are sufficient to achieve the stated audit objective and whether
additional or alternative audit procedures are needed.
Also, because of the diversity of systems in place among non-Federal entities, Part 3 does not
include suggested audit procedures to test internal control. The auditor must determine
appropriate procedures to test internal control on a case by case basis considering factors such as
the non-Federal entity's internal control, the compliance requirements, the audit objectives for
compliance, the auditor's assessment of control risk, and the audit requirement to test internal
control as prescribed in OMB Circular A-133.
5. For Special Tests and Provisions, what are the applicable audit objectives and audit
procedures?
For each of the types of compliance requirements discussed above, Part 3 includes generic audit objectives and suggested audit procedures, except for Special Tests and Provisions. As noted above, Special Tests and Provisions are sufficiently unique to every program that generic audit objectives and suggested audit procedures are not practicable. Therefore, the auditor will have to develop audit objectives and audit procedures for each identified Special Test and Provision using the guidance described in Part 3 under Special Tests and Provisions.
Appendix I Federal Programs Excluded from the A-102 Common Rule
Note: §___ references are to the "Uniform Administrative Requirements for Grants and
Cooperative Agreements to State and Local Governments" (A-102 Common Rule).
Background
Certain grant programs (block grant programs enacted under the Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation
Act of 1981, one special program, open-ended entitlement programs, and
other specified
programs) are exempt from the provisions of the A-102 Common Rule. These
programs are
listed below. State administrative requirements for financial management
and control apply to the
block grant programs (including their subrecipients) and Federal agency
regulations apply to the
programs which are not block grants.
Block grant programs and the one special program are also exempt from
the provisions of OMB
cost principles circulars. State cost principles requirements apply to
these programs (including
their subrecipients). The open-ended entitlement programs and other
specified programs are
subject to the provisions of the OMB cost principles circulars.
The administrative requirements for the open-ended entitlement
programs contained in Federal
agency regulations may not be identical those in the A-102 Common Rule.
Rather than identify
for testing each instance where the requirements differ, this Compliance
Supplement only
addresses differences that warrant special attention. These differences
are in the areas of real
property and equipment, procurement, and financial reporting. With
respect to all other
administrative requirements, the auditor should be guided by the
provisions of the A-102
Common Rule (see Part 3) or Circular A-110 and agency program
requirements (see Part 4).
USDA's program rules for the Food Stamp Program are in 7 CFR 271-285.
HHS's program rules
for Medicaid, AFDC, Child Support Enforcement, and Foster Care and
Adoption Assistance
programs are in 42 CFR 430-498, 45 CFR 201-257, 45 CFR 301-307, and 45
CFR 1355-1357,
respectively. 45 CFR 95, "General Administration - Grant Programs
(Public Assistance and
Medical Assistance)," applies to all of these HHS programs.
Differences pertaining to real property and equipment
USDA's program rules for real property and equipment (property)
acquired under the Food
Stamp program are in 7 CFR 277.13, Property. These rules provide for
reimbursing the Federal
Government for its share of the fair market value of property with an
original cost of $1000 or
more when the property is no longer needed.
Differences pertaining to procurement
USDA's program rules for procurement associated with the Food Stamp
program are in 7 CFR
277.14, Procurement standards. These rules require pre-award review and
approval for all
noncompetitive procurements over $10,000, all one bid only procurements
over $10,000, and all
procurements over $10,000 which specify a brand name. The rules also
limit small purchase
procedures to purchases under $10,000.
Subpart F of 45 CFR 95, ADP equipment and services, applies to all of
these programs. Subpart
F requires prior Federal written approval for the acquisition of ADP
equipment and services of $5
million or more when the Federal Government funds at regular matching
rates and prior written
approval for all ADP acquisitions when the Federal Government funds at
enhanced matching
rates. In addition, the rules require prior Federal written approval for
sole source contracts
between $1 million and $5 million when the Federal Government funds at
regular matching rates
and for certain requests for proposals (RFPs), contracts, and amendments.
Differences pertaining to financial reporting
USDA's financial reporting requirements associated with the Food Stamp
program are provided
in Part 4 of this Supplement.
HHS's financial reporting requirements associated with Medicaid are
provided in Part 4 of this
Supplement. HHS's reporting requirements for AFDC, Child Support
Enforcement, and Foster
Care and Adoption Assistance have been approved under the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1980,
as amended. The auditor should consult with the auditee to obtain the
most current requirements.
The reporting requirements for these programs will be included in Part 4,
upon completion of the
agency program requirements.
Programs Excluded from the Requirements of the A-102 Common
Rule
Since many of the programs excluded from the A-102 Common Rule were
reauthorized or
amended, the following list provides the current CFDA number and name as
listed in the 1996
CFDA. A notation is included with the program name to indicate when only
part of the awards
under a CFDA number are excluded from the A-102 Common Rule or to provide
other
clarifications.
§___.4(a)(2) Block grant programs authorized by:
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (§___.4(a)(2)) (For both of these programs (17.250 and 17.246), Section 164(a)(3) of the Job Training Reform
Amendments of 1992, and the implementing regulations at 20 CFR section 627.420, prescribe
minimum requirements for procurements made with Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) Titles I,
II, and III funds. These requirements largely parallel, and in some cases exceed, the procurement
provisions of the A-102 Common Rule. Also, CFR section 627.435(b) provides that the
determination of whether a JTPA Title I, II, or III cost is direct or indirect shall be made in
accordance with the OMB cost principles circulars identified in 29 CFR Part 97, the Department
of Labor's adoption of the A-102 Common Rule at 29 CFR section 97.22(b).)
Special program 84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies (formerly Chapter 1 of ECIA)
Open-ended entitlement programs §___.4(a)(3) Entitlement grants to carry out the following programs of the Social Security Act:
93.560 Family Support Payments to States--Assistance Payments (AFDC Maintenance Assistance) See Note 1 below for applicable Federal agency regulations.
§___.4(a)(7) A grant for an experimental, pilot, or demonstration project that is also supported
by a grant listed in paragraph (a)(3) of this section.
See Note 1 below for applicable Federal agency regulations.
§___.4(a)(6) Entitlement grants for State Administrative expenses under The Food Stamp Act of
1977
10.561 State Administrative Matching Grants for Food Stamp Program
See Note 2 below for applicable Federal agency regulations.
§___.4(a)(4) Entitlement grants under the following programs of The National School Lunch
Act:
10.555 (i) National School Lunch Program (General Assistance) See Note 2 below for applicable Federal agency regulations.
§___.4(a)(5) Entitlement grants under the following programs of The Child Nutrition Act of 1966: 10.556 (i) Special Milk Program for Children See Note 2 below for applicable Federal agency regulations.
Other specified programs §___.4(a)(8) Grant funds awarded under subsection 412(e) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1522(e)) and subsection 501(a) of the Refugee Education Assistance Act of 1980
(42 U.S.C. 1535) (Pub. L. 96-422, 94 Stat. 1809), for cash assistance, medical assistance, and
supplemental security income benefits to refugees and entrants and the administrative costs of
providing the assistance and benefits.
93.566 Refugee and Entrant Assistance--State Administered Programs
See Note 1 below for applicable Federal agency regulations.
§___.4(a)(9) Grants to local education agencies under 20 U.S.C. 236 through 241-1(a), and 242
through 244 (portions of the Impact Aid program), except for 20 U.S.C. 238(d)(2)(c) and 240(f)
(Entitlement Increase for Handicapped Children).
84.041 Impact Aid (excluding payments for children with disabilities and payments for
construction)
§___.4(a)(10) Payments under the Veterans Administration's State Home Per Diem Program.
64.014 Veterans State Domiciliary Care Note 1: Even though the programs listed under paragraphs §___.4(a)(3), §___.4(a)(7), and
§___.4(a)(8) are exempt from the A-102 Common Rule, they are currently covered by HHS's
interim final implementation of OMB Circular A-110 which HHS has titled as "Requirements for
Awards and Subawards to Institutions of Higher Education, Hospitals, Other Non-Profit
Organizations, and Commercial Organizations; and Certain Grants and Agreements with States,
Local Governments and Indian Tribal Governments" (45 CFR part 74) which has requirements
less restrictive (for institutions of higher education) but similar to the A-102 Common Rule and
"General Administration-Grant Programs (Public Assistance and Medical Assistance)" (45 CFR
part 95).
Note 2: Even though the entitlement programs listed under paragraphs §___.4(a)(4),
§___.4(a)(5), §___.4(a)(6) above are exempt from the A-102 Common Rule, they are covered by
USDA's 7 CFR part 3015 which has requirements more restrictive but similar to the A-102
Common Rule.
Federal Agency Codification of Certain Government-wide Requirements
A copy of this table is also located on OMB's Home Page
(/WH/EOP/OMB/html/miscdoc/ag-codif.html).
Appendix III Federal Agency Contacts for A-133 Audits This appendix lists Federal agency contacts for A-133 information. A separate table is provided for each Federal agency. The left side of the table lists the addresses, phone numbers, and, where available, e-mail and web page addresses, for each contact. The right side lists the geographical area each Federal contact is responsible for overseeing.
The Budget
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Legislative Information
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Management Reform/GPRA
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Grants Management
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