Subawards expand research and program capacity but also create significant compliance risks for grant recipients. Federal rules make clear: while work can be delegated, accountability cannot. This session will highlight real-world audit findings where weak oversight led to millions in questioned costs and missed goals. Participants will explore common pitfalls, why oversight often fails, and practical strategies to strengthen subrecipient oversight and protect grant funds.
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Presented by Megan Mesko, Sikich and Pamela Van Dort, OIG, U.S. Department of the Interior
Megan Mesko
Megan Mesko, CPA, CFE, is a director at Sikich with more than 15 years of experience performing audits and compliance reviews of grant funds awarded to institutions of higher education (IHEs), hospitals, and nonprofit organizations. She has also partnered with state and federal agencies, IHEs, and hospitals to provide risk assessment and consulting services focused on enhancing grantee compliance and implementing best practices for effective grant oversight.
Pamela Van Dort
Pamela Van Dort, J.D., C.F.E., brings more than 15 years of experience conducting and overseeing investigations, audits, evaluations, inspections, and special reviews at multiple federal Offices of Inspector General. In particular, her work has focused on grant and contract oversight, compliance risks, fraud prevention and detection, strategic oversight planning, training, and outreach. She regularly presents at national conferences on fraud schemes, common audit findings, and compliance risks and red flags.