Finding 381125 (2023-004)

Material Weakness
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-03-19

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Hospital failed to maintain required debt reserves and did not seek USDA approval before incurring new debt.
  • Impacted Requirements: This violates 2 CFR 200.303(a), which mandates effective internal controls over federal awards.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance internal controls and contact USDA for guidance on remedying the situation and establishing necessary reserves.

Finding Text

Department of Agriculture Federal Financial Assistance Listing #10.766 Community Facilities Loans and Grants Cluster Special Tests and Provisions Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance and Material Noncompliance for Special Tests and Provisions 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 Hospital did not maintain a reserve account or request the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) permission prior to entering into new debt in compliance with their debt agreements. As of June 30, 2023, the Hospital should have USDA debt reserves at least equal to $417,954. Cause: The lack of adequate policies governing the understanding and execution of loan agreement requirements. Effect: The Hospital was not in compliance with their provisions of the USDA debt agreements. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Sampling was not used. Repeat Finding from Prior Years: No Recommendation: We recommend the Hospital enhance internal control policies to ensure that loan requirements are met. In additional we recommend the Hospital reach out to USDA to inform them of the situation and request clarification on how to best remedy the situation including establishing and funding the USDA debt reserves. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Federal Agency Name: Department of Agriculture & Department of Health and Human Services Program Name: Community Facilities Loans and Grants Cluster Federal Financial Assistance Listing #10.766 Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions Finding Summary: The Hospital did not maintain a reserve account or request the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) permission prior to entering into new debt in compliance with their debt agreements. As of June 30, 2023, the Hospital should have USDA debt reserves at least equal to $417,954. Responsible Individuals: Eric Salmonson, CFO Corrective Action Plan: Management agrees with the finding. The Hospital has reviewed the internal controls and implemented improvements related to their USDA debt. They have also funded our USDA debt reserve account and worked with USDA to become compliant with all debt requirements. Anticipated Completion Date: March 5, 2024

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 381122 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 381123 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 381124 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957564 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957565 2023-002
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957566 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 957567 2023-004
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.766 Community Facilities Loans and Grants $23.69M
93.498 Provider Relief Fund $2.56M
93.110 Maternal and Child Health Federal Consolidated Programs $30,000
93.889 National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program $13,492
93.556 Promoting Safe and Stable Families $675