Finding 1181955 (2024-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-03-23

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Significant deficiencies in internal controls led to errors in the Social Service Fund Report submitted to DHS, including understated and overstated revenue figures.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations § 200.303, which mandates effective internal controls over federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement stronger controls to ensure accurate reporting of all amounts in accordance with DHS guidance.

Finding Text

2024-003 Reporting Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Year of Finding Origination: 2024 Type of Finding: Internal Control Over Compliance and Compliance Severity of Deficiency: Significant Deficiency and Other Matter Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Program: 93.778 Medicaid Cluster Award Number and Year: 2405MN5ADM; 2024 Pass-Through Agency: Minnesota Department of Human Services Criteria: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations § 200.303 states that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the auditee is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. For County federal awards received from the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), internal control should be established and maintained to provide assurance that program reports submitted to DHS are completed in accordance with DHS reporting instructions. As part of Western Prairie Human Services’ reporting requirements, the County submits the Social Service Fund Report, Form DHS-2556 on a quarterly basis to DHS. Condition: The following errors were noted in the Social Service Fund Report, Form DHS-2556 submitted to DHS for the third quarter of 2024: • State revenues were understated by $158,645. • Federal revenues were understated by $41,926. • Charges for services were understated by $1,130. • Miscellaneous revenue was overstated by $51,837. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Western Prairie Human Services was unable to submit corrections for the Social Service Fund Report, Form DHS-2556 for the third quarter of 2024. The population consisted of eight quarterly reports: four for the Income Maintenance Quarterly Expense Report, Form DHS-2550 and four for the Social Services Fund Report, Form DHS-2556. The sample size of four quarterly reports was based on guidance from chapter 11 of the AICPA Audit Guide, Government Auditing Standards and Single Audits. Effect: Incorrect information relating to revenues was reported to DHS on a Social Service Fund Report, Form DHS-2556. Cause: The Western Prairie Human Services’ controls over preparation of the quarterly reports were not sufficient to identify that the related revenues were not properly reported. Recommendation: We recommend that Western Prairie Human Services implement controls that ensure that all applicable amounts are reported on the reports in a manner that is consistent with DHS guidance. View of Responsible Official: Concur

Corrective Action Plan

Finding Number: 2024-003 Finding Title: Reporting Program: 93.778 Medicaid Cluster Name of Contact Person Responsible for Corrective Action: Tracy Bowman Corrective Action Planned: The account activity will be reviewed and reconciled monthly to check for chart of accounts errors. When quarterly reports are completed two fiscal staff will have reviewed the chart of accounts codes. Anticipated Completion Date: 1/31/2025

Categories

Reporting Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.561 STATE ADMINISTRATIVE MATCHING GRANTS FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $264,449
93.558 TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES $150,158
93.667 SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT $146,093
93.658 FOSTER CARE TITLE IV-E $98,807
93.959 BLOCK GRANTS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE $52,585
93.563 CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES $39,248
93.044 SPECIAL PROGRAMS FOR THE AGING, TITLE III, PART B, GRANTS FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES AND SENIOR CENTERS $38,865
93.052 NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT, TITLE III, PART E $19,150
93.590 COMMUNITY-BASED CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION GRANTS $10,191
21.027 COVID-19 - CORONAVIRUS STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUNDS $10,093
93.575 CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT $8,427
93.778 MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM $5,945
93.674 JOHN H. CHAFEE FOSTER CARE PROGRAM FOR SUCCESSFUL TRANSITION TO ADULTHOOD $5,342
93.556 MARYLEE ALLEN PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES PROGRAM $5,313
93.645 STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES CHILD WELFARE SERVICES PROGRAM $2,016
93.566 REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE STATE/REPLACEMENT DESIGNEE ADMINISTERED PROGRAMS $1,880
93.669 CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT STATE GRANTS $1,291
93.767 CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM $536