The Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs Needs to Improve Internal Controls Over Its Travel Card Program

Date Issued

Thursday, November 18, 2021

Submitting OIG

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of Health & Human Services OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of Health & Human Services

Components

Office of the Secretary

Report Number

A-03-19-00501

Report Type

Audit

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Open Recommendations

This report has 2 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
271343	No	$0	$0
We recommend that the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs develop and distribute to staff a quick reference document that includes: o key staff responsibilities for coordinating and vouchering both invitational and staff travel in accordance with the FTR and the HHS Travel Policy Manual and the resources available to staff for ensuring that travel card transactions are compliant with these Federal travel regulations and o a requirement that staff and supervisors read and sign the HHS Traveler Agreement.
271344	No	$0	$0
We recommend that the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs establish an oversight program that includes the following: o approving officials reviewing and signing travel authorizations and vouchers only after verifying that the types of expenses claimed are authorized and allowable, the amounts claimed are accurate, and the required receipts are attached to the voucher, o Program Coordinators verifying that all cardholders take the initial IBA card training course, and o Program Coordinators regularly using the online reporting capabilities provided by the servicing bank to monitor for potential travel card misuse and delinquency trends.