US · guidance
CMS Pub. 100-06, ch. 7, § 30.6
Definitions of Control Deficiency, Significant Deficiency, and
Material Weakness
(Rev. 331, Issued: 11-15-19, Effective: 10-01-19, Implementation: 12-17- 19)
The terms below are definitions and reporting classifications for FMFIA and A-123
Internal Controls over Financial Reporting:
CONTROL DEFICIENCY:
A control deficiency exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow
management or employees, in the normal course of performing their assigned
functions, to prevent or detect misstatements on a timely basis. A design deficiency
exists when a control necessary to meet the control objective is missing or an existing
control is not properly designed, so that even if the control operates as designed the
control objective is not always met. An operational deficiency exists when a properly
designed control does not operate as designed or when the person performing the
control is not qualified or properly skilled to perform the control effectively. Controls
that are not properly designed shall be documented as a control deficiency in the
control deficiency log. A deficiency in operations of a control exists if a properly
designed control is not working as intended.
SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENCY:
A deficiency or combination of deficiencies in internal control that is less severe than
a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with
governance.
MATERIAL WEAKNESS:
A deficiency or combination of deficiencies in internal control such that there is a
reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the entity’s financial statements
will not be prevented, or detected and corrected on a timely basis.
NOTE: The terms Significant Deficiency and Material Weaknesses may also apply to
FMFIA operational findings or issues.
End Section 30.6 – Definitions of Control Deficiency, Significant Deficiency, and
Material Weakness: Back to Table of Contents
History
(Rev. 331, Issued: 11-15-19, Effective: 10-01-19, Implementation: 12-17- 19)
Provenance
- Source
- cms.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-08-25
- Edition
- iom-2026-08-25
- Content hash
f11ff0e135ffb7b0a3b8f7aae5460c158ad91f8517cdec128c88ad0b2c294255
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