Finding Text
Identification of the Federal Program: Federal Assistance Listing #93.498 US Department of Health and Human Services Provider Relief Fund Activities Allowed/Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles Material Weakness in Internal Control Reporting Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance and Material 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 selected option III to calculate lost revenue, which is the alternative reasonable method based on management?s narrative. For some of the periods reported in the Organization?s Period 2 submission, the reported lost revenue amounts did not agree to the underlying internal financial data in accordance with management?s narrative. Cause: The Organization did not have an effective internal control process in place to ensure review and approval of the lost revenue calculation claimed under the federal program and the report submitted for Period 2 was accurate and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the federal award. Effect: The reporting to HHS for Period 2 was considered incorrect. Amounts reported for 5 of the 8 key lost revenue line items (quarter 3 2020 and quarter 1 ? quarter 4 2021) did not agree to the underlying financial data. The Organization incurred reported actual lost revenue amounts for quarter 3 2021 and quarter 4 2021. Had the proper amounts been reported, the impact would have been to decrease the reported lost revenue by $127,469. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context: Key line items were tested on the Period 2 HHS report. Recommendation: We recommend the Organization enhance its existing internal control processes to ensure the lost revenue calculation claimed meets the requirements of the federal program. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action: Management agrees with the noted finding. However, had the Organization reported the correct lost revenue figures based on their option narrative, the Organization satisfactorily incurred eligible expenses and lost revenue in excess of funding expended. Management will continue to refine processes to more diligently review the lost revenue calculation to ensure such amounts are in accordance with the terms and conditions of the federal award.