Finding 391321 (2023-003)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
AB
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-04-01
Audit: 301891
Organization: Ashley Medical Center (ND)
Auditor: Eide Bailly LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Medical Center lacks adequate internal controls for reviewing and approving cash disbursements related to federal awards, leading to potential noncompliance.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with 2 CFR 200.303(a) is compromised, as there is insufficient documentation and accuracy in reported expenses.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Enhance internal control policies to ensure proper documentation of reimbursements, accurate reporting, and thorough review of submissions to the federal agency.

Finding Text

Department of Health and Human Services Federal Assistance Listing/CFDA #93.498 COVID‐19 Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan Rural Distribution Applicable Federal Award Number and Year – Period 1 TIN #450255914 Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Costs Principles Material Weakness 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. The Medical Center claimed expenses based on specifically identified COVID related expenses. Condition: The Medical Center does not have an adequate internal control policy in place to ensure review and approval of cash disbursements claimed under the federal programs were documented and to ensure that expenses claimed in the Report were complete, accurate, and reduced by other funding sources. Cause: The Medical Center did not have an adequate internal control policy in place to ensure review and approval of cash disbursements claimed under the federal programs were documented and to ensure that expenses claimed in the Report were complete, accurate, and reduced by other funding sources. Effect: The lack of adequate policies governing cash disbursements and Report preparation and submission 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: A nonstatistical sample of 32 of 156 expenditures were selected for testing. Repeat Finding from Prior Years: Yes, 2021‐005 Recommendation: We recommend that the Medical Center enhance internal control policies to ensure all amounts reimbursed by other funding sources are adequately documented and reduced from the eligible expenditure listing and are properly recorded in the Report required to be submitted to the federal agency. We also recommend that the Medical Center enhance internal control policies to ensure that the required Report are properly reviewed prior to submission to ensure all key line items are necessary, correct, meet the requirements of the federal program, and are properly recorded in the Report required to be submitted to the federal agency. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Activities Allowed or Unallowed, Allowable Costs/Costs Principles Federal Agency Name: Department of Health and Human Services Program Name: COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan Rural Distribution Federal Assistance Listing #93.498 Finding Summary: The Medical Center does not have an adequate internal control policy in place to ensure review and approval of cash disbursements claimed under the federal programs were documented and to ensure that expenses claimed in the Report were complete, accurate, and reduced by other funding sources. Responsible Individuals: Corey Ulmer, CFO Corrective Action Plan: We will implement internal control policies to ensure all amounts reimbursed by other funding sources are adequately documented and reduced from the eligible expenditure listing and are properly recorded in the Report required to be submitted to the federal agency. We will also implement internal control policies to ensure that the required Report are properly reviewed prior to submission to ensure all key line items are necessary, correct, meet the requirements of the federal program, and are properly recorded in the Report required to be submitted to the federal agency. Anticipated Completion Date: 6/30/2024

Categories

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

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 391322 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 391323 2023-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 391324 2023-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 967763 2023-003
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 967764 2023-004
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 967765 2023-005
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 967766 2023-006
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.498 Provider Relief Fund $388,309
93.697 Covid-19 Testing for Rural Health Clinics $200,000
10.766 Community Facilities Loans and Grants $186,979
93.391 Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local and Territorial (stlt) Health Department Response to Public Health Or Healthcare Crises $100,000
93.301 Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program $10,695