Audit: SMILE Organization Needs Improved Management Control

The St. Martin, Iberia, and Lafayette Community Action Agency (SMILE) earned a "D" rating from the state's legislative auditor for "inadequate controls of issuing payments to vendors and applicant eligibility."

An audit released from the state auditor found several problems with the way the organization is managed.

First, the release stated the organization showed a lack of control over issuing payments to vendors. A report found one SMILE employee had picked up a $2,600 check from the accounting department in order to deliver the check to the intended vendor, but the vendor never received the check. The employee has since paid back the $2,600 and was terminated.

Then, the auditors found a lack of adequate controls over applicant eligibility. Testing determined two applicants' income was above the poverty level and should not have been eligible for services. Another applicant who was receiving services from SMILE may not have been eligible because there were no income verification documents included in the client's file.