Finding 1217939 (2024-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2024
Accepted
2026-06-18
Audit: 404103
Organization: St. Luke's Hospital (ND)
Auditor: EIDE BAILLY LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Funds were disbursed from loan reserve accounts without proper USDA approval, leading to underfunding.
  • Impacted Requirements: Lack of effective internal controls violates 2 CFR 200.303(a) regarding compliance with federal award management.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance internal control policies to ensure proper funding and disbursement of reserve accounts.

Finding Text

Department of Agriculture Federal Financial Assistance Listing #10.766 Community Facilities Loans and Grants Special Tests and Provisions Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal controls over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes and conditions of the award. Condition: During our testing, it was noted that funds were disbursed from the loan reserve accounts without proper prior approval from the USDA, causing the accounts to be underfunded. Cause: The Hospital did not have an adequate internal control policy in place to ensure the proper disbursement and funding of the reserve account. Effect: Although management obtained a waiver for the noncompliance, the lack of adequate policies governing proper funding of reserve 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: Sampling was not used. The Hospital has two reserve accounts that were tested. Repeat Finding from Prior Year: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Hospital enhance internal control policies to ensure that there is proper funding of the reserve accounts. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Federal Agency Name: Department of Agriculture Assistance Listing Number: 10.766 Program Name: Community Facilities Loans and Grants Finding Summary: The Hospital did not have an adequate internal control policy in place to ensure the proper disbursement and funding of the reserve account. Although management obtained a waiver for the noncompliance, the lack of adequate policies governing proper funding of reserve increases the risk that employees participating in the federal award administration may not be able to detect and correct noncompliance in a timely manner. Corrective Action Plan: Management will review and enhance internal control policies to ensure that there is proper funding of the reserve accounts. Responsible Individuals: Jody Nelson, CEO and Megan Peterson, CFO

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Material Weakness Matching / Level of Effort / Earmarking Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1217938 2024-003
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.766 COMMUNITY FACILITIES LOANS AND GRANTS $334,034