OIG

The Office of Inspector General (OIG)to conduct independent inspections, audits and investigations that identify and prevent waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement. And also offer expert advice in improving operations, provide timely useful information that helps decision-makers and results in measurable gains.

Mission
The Office of Audits is committed to improving the management and conduct of programs and activities by providing its customers with timely, balanced, and credible independent evaluations and financial audits that identify systemic problems and recommend constructive solutions as well as report best practices.

The Office of Audits conducts and coordinates audits and program evaluations of the management and financial operations these audits include performance and financial audits of internal operations as well as financially related audits of external activities funded through contracts or financial assistance, such as loans, grants, and cooperative agreements. The audits are used to evaluate whether established goals and objectives are achieved and resources are used economically and efficiently; assess whether intended and realized results are consistent with laws, regulations, and good business practices; and test financial accountability and the reliability of financial statements.

The Office of Audits is organized into seven functional divisions:

Contracts and Grants Division (CG) Financial Management Division (FM) Human Capital and Infrastructure Division (HCI) International Programs Division (IP) Security and Intelligence Division (SI) Information Technology Division (IT) Audit Operations Division (AO)

For more information on each division, click on the division name.

Contracts and Grants Division (CG)

The Contracts and Grants Division is mandated and often requested to perform various audits and reviews and provide advisory services to the Department of State. These efforts include conducting audits of contracts and grants to determine incurred costs and compliance with terms and conditions and also to determine whether the contractor/grantee is accurately accounting for Federal funds used.

Financial Management Division (FM)

The Financial Management (FM) Division assists the Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) in achieving effective financial management of their programs and adequate accountability over their resources. FMs responsibilities include conducting audits of financial management issues, activities, and operations, including overseeing the annual financial statement audits. The Department accounts for more than $22 billion in total financing and $59 billion in assets, while BBG accounts for more than $745 million in total financing and $295 million in assets. FM works mainly with the Chief Financial Officers and their staffs, but FM work can be performed at any bureau or post.

Human Capital and Infrastructure Division (HCI)

The Human Capital and Infrastructure Division conducts audits and other reviews that assist the Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) to effectively and efficiently utilize human capital and other resources to meet operational and infrastructure needs in support of their respective missions. The Department and BBG have more than 29,800 Foreign Service, Civil Service, and Foreign Service National personnel at over 260 locations domestically and overseas and spend approximately $17 billion annually in support of their operations.

International Program Division (IP)

The International Programs (IP) Division assesses a broad array of Department of State and Broadcasting Board of Governors activities and foreign assistance programs to determine whether they achieve foreign policy priorities and make a lasting change. These programs and activities include counternarcotics and peacekeeping, nonproliferation and arms control, consular affairs, and communications promoting freedom and democracy. IP also conducts audits of programs addressing global issues such as demining, democracy building, climate change, economic prosperity, food security, global health, human rights, refugee assistance, and trafficking in persons. IP is committed to ensuring that the Department spends its resources wisely and maximizes the impact of every dollar spent.

Security and Intelligence Division (SI)

Protecting people, facilities, and information is one of the Department of States highest priorities and greatest challenges, and billions of dollars are spent each year to fund these activities. Responsibilities of the Security and Intelligence (SI) Division include conducting audits and reviews of Department programs, policies, procedures, and organizational elements designed to protect people, facilities, and information. SI examines the management and administration of security and intelligence programs at headquarters, overseas posts, and Broadcasting Board of Governors facilities. SI seeks to find ways to help security professionals become more efficient and effective in their work at a time when staffing shortages, increased security requirements, and the demands of high-threat posts have increased the workload of Department security personnel.

Information Technology Division (IT)

The Information Technology Division conducts audits, reviews, and evaluations of the Department of State and the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) information technology (IT) management and IT security programs and initiatives. The division examines the Departments and BBGs efforts to protect their global IT infrastructures and reviews the effectiveness of IT security management programs at bureaus and overseas posts. The division also reviews issues related to the cost-effective acquisition, development, implementation, and management of major IT systems; telecommunications networks; and other technologies across the Department and BBG. The division assists the Department and BBG in identifying and mitigating IT risk exposure; enhancing the efficiency of critical in-house governance, internal audit, and regulatory compliance functions; and promoting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information systems by requiring appropriate corrective actions to address deficient internal controls.

Audit Operations Division (AO)

Responsibilities of the Audit Operations (AO) Division include conducting quality control reviews of audits, coordinating and tracking compliance with audit recommendations, performing workforce planning and analysis for the Office of Audits, developing and managing budget information in coordination with the Office of Inspector Generals (OIG) budget office, recruiting and hiring qualified auditors and analysts, and managing the continuing professional education requirements for auditors. AO also provides statistical sampling and technical methodology support, editing services for all published and official documents, and a full range of administrative support to all Office of Audits divisions. AO serves as the primary liaison with other OIG offices and outside entities.

OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIONS
Mission The Office of Investigations is committed to addressing allegations in an independent and objective manner, conducting criminal, civil and administrative investigations affecting programs and operations, encouraging professional development, and assisting the Department and agencies in preventing, as well as detecting, fraud.

The Office of Investigations conducts investigations of criminal, civil, and administrative misconduct related to organizational programs and operations. Investigations examine specific allegations, reports, or other information indicating possible violations of law or regulation.

Administrative violations are referred to the Department's Bureau of Human Resources and to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, when appropriate, for independent adjudication and action. Individuals and employees suspected of violating Federal statutes are referred to the Department of Justice for prosecution. The office also maintains the OIG Hotline, a confidential channel for complaints about violations of law or regulation, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health and safety.

Investigations conducted by OIG criminal investigators usually are the result of allegations received from Department or agency management or employees, other OIG units, Inspectors General of other agencies, the Congress, or the public. As necessary, the assistance of auditors, inspectors, and other experts may be enlisted in investigative operations.

The Inspector General is charged with fraud prevention as well as fraud detection. Toward this objective, the Office of Investigations issues Fraud Alert Bulletins and Management Assistance Reports. Fraud Alert Bulletins are issued to all executive directors when an investigation identifies a systemic weakness that has an impact on all Department or agency bureaus or offices. Management Implication Reports are issued when a systemic weakness is identified in a bureau-specific program or operation. It is sent directly to the affected bureau or office with recommendations for corrective action.

OFFICE OF INSPECTIONS
Mission

The Office of Inspections provides the Secretary of State and Congress with systematic and independent evaluations of the operations of the Department, its posts abroad, and related activities. OIG schedules an inspection of each post and bureau within a 5-year cycle in accordance with the Foreign Service Act of 1980.

Inspections cover three broad areas as set forth in the Foreign Service Act of 1980:

Policy Implementation: whether policy goals and objectives are being effectively achieved; whether post operations are in consonance with the foreign policy of the United States; whether U. S. interests are being accurately and effectively represented; and whether all elements of an office or mission are being adequately coordinated. Resource Management: whether resources are being used and managed with maximum efficiency, effectiveness, and economy and whether financial transactions and accounts are properly conducted, maintained, and reported. Management Controls: whether the administration of activities and operations meets the requirements of applicable laws and regulations; whether internal management controls have been instituted to ensure quality of performance and reduce the likelihood of mismanagement; whether instances of fraud, waste, or abuse exist; and whether adequate steps for detection, correction and prevention have been taken.

The inspections provide an independent evaluation of the performance of each chief of mission, deputy chief of mission, principal officer, Assistant Secretary, and Deputy Assistant Secretary. They also provide an assessment of the adequacy of management and coordination of physical and procedural security as well as law enforcement activities in each mission.

The Office of Inspections conducts follow-up reviews on approximately 15-20 percent of posts, offices, and bureaus inspected. These reviews occur 6months or more after the full inspection and are designed to revisit key issues to ensure implementation of recommendations and provide quality control of the inspection process.

The Consular Evaluation Unit within the Office of Inspections manages and coordinates work related to consular operations.

OIG will use the results of these inspections, in coordination with the work of other OIG offices, to address systemic deficiencies and identify remedies, or to initiate thematic reviews of Department and BBG programs.