(The following was excerpted from an article in the Federal Grants Management Handbook.) An Arkansas organization receiving federal grant funds is obligated to repay $345,000 in embezzled funds even when a change in its accounting systems no longer has records documenting long-running embezzlement within the organization.

Just like Aladdin and Jasmine sang in the Disney movie “Aladdin,” it’s “A Whole New World.” The Office of Management and Budget officially published the “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards” in today’s Federal Register.

This is your captain, speaking! There’s an expression often heard in meetings here in Washington where, rather than going into specific details about an issue, they will look at things from “a 30,000-foot level.” They will provide a quick overview of a much deeper topic, if you will. Well, if there ever was an instance of looking at something from the 30,000-foot level, the Council on Financial Assistance Reform’s webcast last Friday on the federal grants reform guidance —set to run in the Federal Register this Wednesday — was a prime example.

Ladies and gentlemen, just in time for the holidays, a gift from the Office of Management and Budget!

(The following was excerpted from an article in the Single Audit Information Service.) The Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families is weighing whether to require ─ not just recommend ─ that states conduct unannounced onsite monitoring visits at least annually at providers participating in the Child Care Development Fund program. Such a requirement was encouraged in a recent report on the program by the HHS Office of inspector General.

I saw something this weekend that totally astonished me and really got me to thinking about the lengths people will go to for a chance at fame.

(The following was excerpted from an article in the Federal Grants Management Handbook.) To encourage participants in the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance Program to finish projects at or below costs, the agency plans to amend its cost estimating format (CEF) for large work projects to restore permanent infrastructure under the program.

While we "enjoy" our first week of snow here in the D.C. area of the winter (um, can someone let Mother Nature know that it is not officially winter yet?), we've come across a recent report by two university researchers whose reaction to USASpending.gov was just as chilly as our recent temperatures.

Now that the holiday shopping season is upon us, the last thing you want to do is fail to keep track of your personal finances? Overspending on gifts for your friends and family could get you in hot water when the bills arrive later. In a similar vein, grant recipients and grantor agencies must stay on track of their own payments, ensuring that they are appropriate and adequately documented.

(The following was excerpted from an article in the Single Audit Information Service.) The Iowa Department of Education is planning steps to better oversee school districts receiving grants in the Shared Visions Preschool Programs and the Early Elementary Innovative Grants Program, in response to recommendations in a recent audit by the Iowa Office of Auditor of State.