DOT Does Not Ensure Compliance With All Single Audit Provisions of OMB’s Uniform Guidance

What We Looked AtThe Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Operating Administrations (OA) receive billions to provide financial assistance to States and other entities. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requires recipients that expend $750,000 or more to perform single audits. OMB’s Uniform Guidance sets requirements for single audits. Recipients must submit reporting packages, including auditors’ reports, to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) and develop plans to resolve findings. Because of the importance of single audits to tax dollar stewardship, we reviewed single audit processes at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Our audit objectives were to evaluate their processes for (1) verifying that single audits are completed and reports submitted to FAC in the timeframe required by the Uniform Guidance, (2) issuing timely management decisions on single audit findings, and (3) following up on findings and recommendations, including high-priority findings and recommendations we identify in quarterly reports.What We FoundDOT does not ensure that single audit reports are completed and timely submitted to FAC, and does not have a single audit accountable official to ensure OAs fulfill Uniform Guidance requirements. DOT does not ensure the OAs verify that recipients complete single audits and submit timely packages. FAA, FHWA, and FTA’s processes for these activities are not sufficient. This lack of oversight could inhibit DOT’s ability to reduce improper payments. DOT also does not ensure OAs issue timely management decisions and track findings. Untimely management decisions inhibit OAs’ abilities to evaluate findings and recover funds. The OAs follow up on findings that we identify in our quarterly reports rather than all findings. Because it has not designated an SAAO, DOT does not ensure OAs perform required followup. The Uniform Guidance requires agencies ensure that recipients correct all findings. Our reports do not cover all single audit findings. DOT’s lack of oversight could increase the risk of improper payments.RecommendationsOST concurred with our seven recommendations to help improve single audit process oversight. We consider all recommendations resolved but open pending completion of planned actions.