Finding 386898 (2021-004)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
P
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2021
Accepted
2024-03-28

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: CBNHC submitted its fiscal year 2021 audit report late due to delays in financial reconciliations caused by COVID-19 and staffing shortages.
  • Impacted Requirements: The audit reporting package was due by June 30, 2022, as per 2 CFR Part 200.512, but was not submitted on time.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Analyze the Accounting department's functions, consider reassigning duties or hiring additional staff to ensure timely reconciliations and compliance with reporting deadlines.

Finding Text

2021-004 — Late Audit Report Federal program information: Funding agency: All Title: All ALN: All Award period: Various Criteria: According to 2 CFR Part 200.512, the annual single audit must be completed and the data collection form and reporting package must be submitted within the earlier of 30 calendar days after receipt of the auditor's report or nine months after the end of the audit period (June 30, 2022). Condition: CBNHC’s fiscal year 2021 single audit reporting package was not submitted by the due date of June 30, 2022. Context: N/A Questioned Costs: None Cause: CBNHC was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused significant delays in completion of the year-end reconciliations of the financial statements and the schedule of expenditures of federal awards. Effect: CBNHC was unable to completely reconcile certain general ledger accounts timely, which resulted in significant audit adjustments. As a result, the audit started late and was not issued within the reporting deadline. Auditor’s Recommendations: The Accounting department should be analyzed, and functions/duties re-assigned and/or additional personnel hired to ensure that monthly and annual account reconciliations are performed timely to ensure that the data collection form and reporting package are submitted by the due date. Management’s Response: As documented in response to finding 2021-001, a timeline was produced to demonstrate that CBNHC was extremely short-staffed, which caused it to fall behind in its accounting functions. CBNHC continued to experience operational disruptions caused by turnover of key administrative positions and the COVID-19 pandemic. The reconciliation of the general ledger and closing of the financials fell behind. CBNHC subsequently relied on an accounting consultant to assist in reconciling its books and preparing its financial statements. However, there were limitations in CBNHC’s ability to reconcile its specialized medical insurance billings and PRC program expenditures due to lack of knowledge of the health care management system, namely the Resource Patient Management System (RPMS). CBNHC has since hired RPMS experienced personnel and is current in managing the monthly close of the patient financial system. CBNHC will continue with a late audit report finding for fiscal year 2022, with the goal of being on track for its fiscal year 2023 reporting.

Corrective Action Plan

2021-004 – Late Audit Report Corrective Action: CBNHC will implement the following corrective actions: • CBNHC will continue in its recruiting and will hire the various accounting positions as defined in the corrective action plan for finding 2021-001. • CBNHC will implement the corrective actions described in the corrective action plan for finding 2021-001 to assure compliance with its regulatory requirement for completing its timely audits. • In the event that the CBNHC experiences changes in its staffing levels again, it will actively seek interim support through an accounting consultant in order to maintain its accounting records. Person Responsible: The following individuals will be responsible for the above corrective action plan: • Chief Executive Officer (Derrick Watchman) – Is responsible for ensuring the scope of work as defined in CBNHC’s Annual Funding Agreement (AFA) with the Indian Health Service (IHS) is administered accordingly. • Human Resource Director (Christina Chavez) – Will participate by actively recruiting for CBNHC’s vacant positions within the hiring requirements defined by the Navajo Nation. • Interim Finance Director (Volelle Zamora) – Is responsible for ensuring the timely completion of the CBNHC’s annual financial audits in accordance with the requirements defined by the Single Audit Act (2 CFR Part 200.512). Completion Date: June 30, 2024. CBNHC will be back on track with additional accounting support and expects to have its audit reports completed on time for fiscal year 2023.

Categories

Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 386899 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 386900 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 386901 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 386902 2021-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 386903 2021-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 386904 2021-007
    Significant Deficiency
  • 386905 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 386906 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 963340 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 963341 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 963342 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 963343 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 963344 2021-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963345 2021-006
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963346 2021-007
    Significant Deficiency
  • 963347 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 963348 2021-004
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.441 Indian Self-Determination $8.23M
93.391 Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local and Territorial (stlt) Health Department Response to Public Health Or Healthcare Crises $242,298
93.237 Special Diabetes Program for Indians_diabetes Prevention and Treatment Projects $197,623
21.019 Coronavirus Relief Fund $118,317
93.772 Tribal Public Health Capacity Building and Quality Improvement Umbrella Cooperative Agreement $63,745
93.228 Indian Health Service_health Management Development Program $-53,186