Review of Kosovo Refugee Emergency Assistance Grant Program (90-ZK-0002) Immigration and Refugee Services of America, Washington, D.C.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

From May 1999 through April 2000, the Immigration and Refugee Services of America (IRSA) received $1,165,927 in Federal funds from the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) for the Kosovo Refugee Emergency Assistance Grant Program to assist refugees in applying for asylum in the U.S.  We found that IRSA accomplished all grant objectives and, in general, complied with the standard terms and conditions of the grant and was capable of managing Federal funds.  However, we also determined that IRSA had internal control weaknesses that required correction, resulting in IRSA overcharging ACF $10,913, relying on some verbal accounting policies and maintaining uninsured bank deposits.  The IRSA generally concurred with our recommendations and agreed to refund $10,913 in overcharges.  However, IRSA officials stated that their management or auditors do not anticipate any loss from the uninsured bank deposits.  We recommended that IRSA recognize and handle uninsured bank deposits appropriately.