Finding Text
Department of Health and Human Services Federal Financial Assistance Listing #93.498 COVID‐19 Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural Distribution Applicable Federal Award Number and Year –Period 5 TIN #201209404, Period 5 TIN #262181659 Reporting Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and conditions of the federal award. Condition: The Organization’s special reports submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for Period 5 were not reviewed and approved by a separate individual outside of the preparer. Cause: The Organization did not have an adequate internal control policy in place to ensure review and approval over the preparation of HHS Period 5 reporting was documented. Effect: The lack of adequate policies governing review and approval increases the risk that employees participating in the federal award administration may not be able to detect and correct noncompliance in a timely manner. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Key line items were tested on the Period 5 Department of Health and Human Services special reports. A total of two special reports were submitted and tested. Repeat Finding from Prior Years: Yes – 2021-002 Recommendation: We recommend the Organization implement a control process which includes a secondary review and approval of required reports to be submitted to the federal agency. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.