EMPOWERMENT ZONES ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

1
EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• ROLE OF THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
• SPEAKER
• JOSEPH HOLMES
• OIG

2
EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• Perform audits and investigations of USDA
  establishments, organizations, programs,
  activities, and functions

3
EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• Work with USDA management team in activities that
  promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness or
  prevent and detect fraud and abuse in programs or
  operations both within USDA and in non-Federal
  entities that receive USDA assistance

4
EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• Report OIG activities to the Secretary and the U.
  S. Congress semiannually as of March 31 and
  September 30 each year

5
EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• HOW DOES OIG WORK WITH USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT
  STATE/FIELD OFFICES AND COMMUNITIES/ORGANIZATIONS?

6
EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• Performing audits and investigations
• Recommending corrective action(s) for
  findings/deficiencies.

7
EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• WHAT INITIATES THE AUDIT PROCESS?

8
EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• Mandated by law
• Incorporated into annual plan
• Special request/referrals by agencies
• Hotline complaint

9
EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• WHAT DOES OIG LOOK FOR IN REVIEWING A COMMUNITY
  OR ORGANIZATION?

10
EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• Compliance with laws and regulations,
• Establishment and adherence to policies, and
  procedures
• Oversight/performance review processes
• Record keeping/supporting documentation for
  decisions or actions taken

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EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• Management/use of funds
• Staffing/separation of duties
• Fraud, waste, and abuse of program

12
EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON ISSUES OR PROBLEM
  AREAS FOUND IN COMMUNITIES/ORGANIZATIONS?

13
EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• INADEQUATE AND/OR LACK OF DOCUMENTATION
• INADEQUATE REVIEW PROCESS/OVERSIGHT
• FUNDS USED FOR UNAUTHORIZED PURPOSES
• INADEQUATE PROGRAM/PROJECT ADMINISTRATION

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EMPOWERMENT ZONES/ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES

• THE END