Abstract |
The purpose of this report is to assess the quality of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) independent referencing process, we conducted a survey of Project Managers (PMs) and their respective Product Line Directors (PLDs). The survey addressed consistency among the Quality Assurance (QA) staff (i.e., referencers) and timeliness of the reviews. Suggestions for areas of improvement were also identified. As stated in OIG Policy 006, the quality of all worked performed by the OIG significantly impacts our credibility and effectiveness in performing oversight functions of EPA programs and activities. One operational activity performed to help fulfill and verify the requirements of quality is referencing. Referencing entails reviewing the workpaper support identified through indexes for correctness to ensure the quality and accuracy of OIG reports. Report indexes are reviewed to provide reasonable assurance that OIG reports are factually supported in terms of sufficiency, competency, and relevancy of evidential matter. Referencing of OIG audit and evaluation products provides reasonable assurance that they comply with generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS). OIG Procedure 006 outlines the referencing standard operating procedures. According to OIG Procedure 006, PLDs/PMs should expect the referencing review (from start through the clearance of comments) to take approximately 10 business days from when the referencer notifies the PLD/PM that the review is about to commence. |