Finding 382876 (2022-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
B
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2024-03-21
Audit: 296454
Organization: Rio Grande Hospital (CO)
Auditor: Eide Bailly LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Organization lacks effective internal controls for reviewing and approving COVID-19 related invoices and employee timecards.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.303(a) is not met, increasing the risk of noncompliance and potential ineligible expenditures.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance internal control policies to ensure all COVID-19 funding invoices and timecards are properly reviewed and recorded, preventing future issues.

Finding Text

2022‐004 Department of Health and Human Services Federal Assistance Listing #93.498 COVID‐19 Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan Rural (ARP) Distribution Applicable Federal Award Number and Year ‐ Period 4 TIN #841276376 Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Costs Principles Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance and Noncompliance 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 had various invoices and employee timecards identified as COVID‐19 eligible that did not follow the Organization’s review and approval process for COVID‐19 funding. Cause ‐ The Organization did not have an adequate internal control policy in place to ensure documented review and approval over specific invoices and employee timecards as it relates to COVID‐19. Effect ‐ The lack of adequate policies governing review and approval of the specific invoices and employee timecards increase the risk that employees participating in the federal award administration may not be able to detect and correct noncompliance in a timely manner. Without this documentation, ineligible expenditures may be claimed under the program. Questioned Costs ‐ None. $6,686 of improper expenses were noted due to use of incorrect pay rates or invoice amounts. However, the Organization has excess lost revenue of $157,250 and excess expenses of $345,951 that can be substituted for these expenses. Context ‐ Detail testing was completed over expenses. A nonstatistical sample of 60 expenditures were selected for detail testing and 11 of the expenditures did not follow the internal control process for the COVID‐19 funding. In addition, incorrect pay rates were utilized on the wages tracking sheet for four selections along with one incorrect invoice amount on the tracking sheet. Repeat Finding from Prior Years ‐ Yes, Finding 2021‐004. Recommendation ‐ We recommend that the Organization enhance internal control policies to ensure all invoices and employee timecards follow the internal control policies implemented by the Organization as it relates to the COVID‐19 funding. We recommend that the Organization also ensure proper reviews are completed to ensure invoices and pay rates are recorded correctly on the expense tracking sheet. This will ensure that all expenses claimed under the federal program are necessary, reasonable, and meet the requirements of the federal program. Views of Responsible Officials ‐ Management agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Federal Agency Name: Department of Health and Human Services Assistance Listing Number: #93.498 Program Name: COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural Distribution Finding Summary: The Organization had various invoices and employee timecards identified as COVID-19 eligible that did not follow the Organization’s review and approval process for COVID-19 funding. Responsible Individuals: Greg Porter, CFO & Arlene Harms, CEO Corrective Action Plan: Management will ensure that all invoices and employee timecards are reviewed following the Organization’s review and approval process for COVID-19 funding. Anticipated Completion Date: Ongoing

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Eligibility Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 382877 2022-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 959318 2022-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 959319 2022-005
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
10.766 Community Facilities Loans and Grants $18.93M
93.498 Provider Relief Fund $1.02M
93.697 Covid-19 Testing for Rural Health Clinics $200,000
93.301 Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program $132,985