Single Audit Resources Every CPA Firm Should Bookmark
- BryMar Crew
- Apr 28
- 3 min read
If your firm performs single audits, it's important to stay current with federal guidance—especially with recent changes. For fiscal years beginning before October 1, 2024, a single audit is required for clients expending $750,000 or more in federal awards annually. For fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2024, that threshold increases to $1 million.
Staying updated with guidance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG) is essential. Recently, the HHS-OIG launched a dedicated web page for Single Audit Resources designed to improve audit quality and support the single audit community.
In this post, we’ll walk you through the most valuable tools now available from HHS-OIG, why they matter, and how your firm can leverage them to strengthen quality control processes. We’ll also show how BryMar CPA supports firms with peer reviews that align with these resources.
What is a Single Audit?
A Single Audit—governed by Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F)—is a comprehensive audit required for entities that expend $750,000 or more in federal awards during a fiscal year beginning before October 1, 2024, or $1 million or more for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2024.
These audits assess both the financial statements and the federal awards the entity receives, ensuring:
Proper internal controls
Compliance with federal program requirements
Transparency and accountability for federal spending
Funds subject to a single audit can be received directly from federal agencies or passed through state, local, or nonprofit organizations. Because federal agencies rely on these audits to ensure proper use of funds, audit quality is crucial.
New HHS-OIG Single Audit Resources You Should Be Using
The HHS-OIG Single Audits website serves as a one-stop shop for tools, guidance, and quality indicators.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s included and why it matters:
Get familiar with desk reviews and quality control reviews (QCRs) conducted by the OIG.
These reviews focus on:
Sampling audits for quality
Identifying common deficiencies
Determining whether corrective action is needed
Why it’s helpful: This resource helps your audit teams understand what the OIG looks for and how to avoid pitfalls that could damage your firm’s reputation.
This downloadable summary outlines frequent issues found during desk and QCR reviews, such as:
Inadequate documentation
Misapplication of Uniform Guidance
Sampling errors
Insufficient testing of internal controls
Why it’s helpful: Knowing what others have done wrong gives your team a roadmap for what to double-check before finalizing audits.
This section provides practical tools such as:
Crosswalks between Uniform Guidance and audit requirements
Best practice checklists
Sample workpapers
Why it’s helpful: These tools are incredibly useful for training junior staff and standardizing processes across your audit practice.
HHS-OIG offers informal guidance on:
For-profit and foreign audits
Audit report submissions
Auditor independence and scope
Why it’s helpful: These FAQs can help your team resolve edge-case audit scenarios without needing to reinvent the wheel or escalate questions to oversight bodies.
How You Can Use These Single Audit Resources Effectively
Integrate the deficiency report into your internal training program.
Have senior auditors walk through real-life examples.
Add compliance tools to your audit checklists.
Standardize documentation and testing steps.
Review oversight activities and align your internal QC process.
Perform mini peer reviews in-house using the same criteria as HHS-OIG.
Bookmark the FAQs.
Use them to resolve quick questions during audit fieldwork.
Who Needs to Pay the Most Attention?
These resources are especially valuable for firms that:
Work with nonprofits, healthcare providers, local governments, or universities
Are preparing for peer review
Have staff new to single audits or Uniform Guidance
Are concerned about audit quality or regulatory compliance
How BryMar Can Help: Get Ready for Your Next Peer Review
At BryMar CPA, we know how high the bar is for audit quality—especially for firms that work with federal award recipients.
We offer Peer Review Support Services specifically tailored to nonprofit audit practices.
If you're preparing for a triennial peer review, we can help:
Evaluate your internal quality control procedures
Review audit engagements for compliance
Perform pre-issuance and post issuance reviews
We don’t just identify what needs fixing—we help you build systems to improve audit quality long-term. Contact us today to learn how we can support your next peer review.
