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.
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!)
The AICPA has issued a Technical Q&A to address questions surrounding reporting on the SEFA when the amount reported does not tie back to the financial statements due to DHHS’s requirement to report based on the reporting to the Portal. The TQA provides guidance on the application of AU-C 725 to this scenario.
