Finding 31320 (2022-002)

Significant Deficiency Repeat Finding
Requirement
ABL
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-10-01
Audit: 26844
Organization: Swift County-Benson Hospital (MN)
Auditor: Eide Bailly LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The organization failed to have a separate individual review and approve expense reports for federal funding, violating internal control requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: This deficiency affects compliance with 2 CFR 200.303(a), which mandates effective internal controls over federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Implement a control process for secondary review and approval of expense reports and related documents to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.

Finding Text

2022-002 Department of Health and Human Services Federal Assistance Listing #93.498 COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund (PRF) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural Distribution Applicable Federal Award Number and Year ? Period 4 TIN #411670269 Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, and 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 expense workbook and special reports submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services for Period 4 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 final expenditure listing or preparation of HHS Period 4 reporting were 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 4 Department of Health and Human Services special report and supporting expense tracker documents. Repeat Finding from Prior Years: Yes, Finding 2021-002. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization implement a control process which includes a secondary review and approval of required reports and internal supporting documents such as the expense tracking. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding 2022-002 Federal Agency Name: Department of Health and Human Services Program Name: COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund (PRF) and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural Distribution Applicable Federal Award Number and Year ? Period 4 TIN #411670269 Federal Financial Assistance Listing: #93.498 Finding Summary: The Organization?s expense workbook and special reports submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services for Period 4 were not reviewed and approved by a separate individual outside of the preparer. Responsible Individuals: Andrea Smart, Vice President of Financial Services and Treasury. Corrective Action Plan: Management will implement a control process which includes a secondary review and approval of any future summarized final expenditure listing used to claim the allowable costs under the federal program. Anticipated Completion Date: September 26, 2023.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Reporting Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 607762 2022-002
    Significant Deficiency Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.498 Provider Relief Fund $984,648
93.155 Rural Health Research Centers $65,326