OMB Updates Compliance Requirements
OMB has updated the 2021 Compliance Supplement for two programs – Provider Relief Funds and Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. DHHS can remove the special test & provisions requirements for Provider Relief Funds (93.498) which related to out of network patient expenses. In order to reduce burden on smaller entities, the Treasury is now offering an alternative examination engagement in lieu of requiring a Program Specific Audit or Single Audit for entities that would not have required this level of audit had it not been for the receipt of CSLFRF funds (21.027). Treasury estimates 10,000 entities will be able to forego a Single Audit in lieu of this new compliance examination which has been added to Appendix VII thereby still maintaining accountability but reducing costs and complexity.
Exposure Draft: AU-C 600 & Group Audits
The AICPA has proposed significant changes to AU-C 600 and the requirements of a group audit. Some changes are definitional but the new standard also includes a more risk based approach for addressing financial statements that contain multiple components. Comments are due June 21, 2022.
Q1 2022 in Review
The first quarter of 2022 has come to an end. It brought with it the publication of four ethics interpretations, two final ASUs, and two proposed SASes. This blog will provide you with what was issued and proposed in Q1 of 2022.
Executive Order on Digital Assets
On March 9, President Biden issued an executive order encouraging the federal government to research and respond to the use of digital assets including cryptocurrency. It goes so far as to ask the Federal Reserve to research a Central Bank Digital Currencies. The EO focuses primarily on research requirements.
SEC Proposes ESG Reporting
The SEC has proposed new environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting and disclosure requirements for public companies. For larger companies, it would also include an attestation requirement regarding greenhouse gas disclosures. Comments are due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register, or May 20, whichever is later.
CPA Exam Transition
As NASBA gets ready to transition the CPA exam to its new format, current students were eager to know what happens if a part they passed changes and how that would be considered for the new exam. Thankfully, NASBA has issued a very easy to understand transition model for students. The new exam is set to launch in 2024!
New Tools for Auditing Provider Relief Funds
The AICPA’s Government Audit Quality Center has released 4 tools that can help auditors make sense of auditing provider relief funds. It addresses the unique HHS audit requirements as well as how to handle Parent / Subsidiary relationships. It also has a tool for auditors new to performing single audits as well as a checklist for organizations getting their first single audit. The GAQC has made these available to the public and you do NOT need to be a GAQC member to access (although the membership is more than worth the investment!)
Yellow Book Report Updates
While much of the focus of the implementation of SAS 134-140 have been on the financial statement report and the Single Audit report, it is important to note that when the AICPA issued updated examples in their A&A guide, it included changes to the Yellow Book report as well. We’ll review some of the biggest changes to make sure these minor edits are included when issuing GAGAS reports.
Disclaimer: The information contained within this blog is provided for informational purposes only. Viewing this material does not qualify for CPE credit. Additionally, this general knowledge is not intended to substitute for obtaining accounting, legal, or financial advice from a professional accountant with specific knowledge of your organization. Finally, watching this blog and/or subscribing to the newsletter do not create an accountant-client relationship.
