The Challenge
The convergence of changes to workflow resulting from OMB’s 2 CFR 200 (“The Uniform Guidance”), and HHS 45 CFR 75, and the increase in the number of Foreign Audits required by Ebola and Zika events created a need for an automated solution to manage the tracking and resolution of these audit.
Meeting Business Needs
CDC needed a solution for tracking the receipt and review of required independent audits submitted by foreign-based grantees. Karna developed the Foreign Audit Tracking System (FATS), which is a functional web-based information system including access to CDC’s Foreign Audit Artifacts. FATS supports workflow management, communications, periodic and ad hoc reporting of information about audit submissions, delinquent audits and letter status, resolution of findings status, country-specific data, suspense dates, Management Decision Letter (MDL) status and approvals, work backlogs, noncompliant audits, letter status, appeals, grantee risk status, repeat/systemic findings, and possible trends.
In addition to the FATS software, Karna developed an audit report forecasting methodology based on linking select data from multiple sources, including Grant Solutions, IMPAC II, and SAM.
The Solution
FATS enable user groups from audit resolution, grants management, and programs to access their own role-specific dashboard displays and execute drill-downs from quick look views to details. As part of the effort, Karna developed a training plan, course materials, release updates, and delivered classroom and webinar training for 162 potential users in Atlanta and at global locations. Karna established help line support and provided Tier 2 and 3 product support for users for one year after the initial Go-Live date.
The Result
Since receiving its authorization to go operational, FATS has become a viable enterprise-wide system for integrating and managing the disparate pieces of the Foreign Audit resolution workflow into a smoothly-operating standard process.
The current FATS provides the capability to share a more common and accurate view of Foreign Audits in the resolution process and to reduce the time needed for resolution workflow activities, from days and weeks to hours and minutes.
