U.S. Department of the Treasury

DATE: January 31, 2018

SUBJECT: Government Accountability Office (GAO) Audits

1. PURPOSE. This Directive establishes policy and assigns responsibilities for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) audit activity and coordination. The Department is also issuing Treasury Directive Publication (TD P) 40-02, "Government Accountability Office Audit Procedures," which provides further direction to all bureaus, offices, and organizations in the Department of the Treasury for compliance with Treasury Directive 40-02.
2. SCOPE. This directive applies to all bureaus, offices, and organizations in the Department of the Treasury, including the offices of inspectors general within the Department. The provisions of this directive shall not be construed to interfere with or impede the authorities or independence of the Treasury Inspector General, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, or the Special Inspector General for TARP.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES.
   1. Assistant Secretary for Management, through the Office of the Deputy Chief Financial Officer, will serve in a Treasury-wide coordinating role with respect to the Department’s GAO audits.
   2. Heads of bureaus, offices, and the Department’s inspector general will designate a GAO coordinator and carry out the provisions of this directive within their respective organizations.
   3. GAO coordinators will ensure that all new GAO engagements are assigned to a Responsible Treasury Official within their office or bureau. The GAO coordinators will also be responsible for sending GAO correspondence (e.g., new engagements, draft and final reports) to other appropriate officials within their office or bureau. The coordinators will forward copies of all outgoing correspondence to the Risk and Control Group within the Office of the Deputy Chief Financial Officer and other Treasury officials who may be affected by the contents of the report, including the Department’s inspectors general.
   4. Responsible Treasury Official for each GAO engagement will handle the substantive response to GAO. In accordance with Title 31 U.S.C. Section 718, Availability of Draft Reports, the Responsible Treasury Official must provide comments to GAO draft reports within 30 days or other agreed upon date. In accordance with Title 31 U.S.C. Section 720, Agency Reports, the Responsible Treasury Official must submit a written response to the designated congressional committees within 60 days for any GAO final report that includes a recommendation.
4. AUTHORITIES.
   1. 31 U.S.C. Section 720, Agency Reports
   2. 31 U.S.C Section 718, Availability of Draft Reports
   3. OMB Circular A-50, Audit Follow-up, dated September 29, 1982
   4. The General Accounting Office Policy and Procedures Manual for Guidance of Federal Agencies, Title 1 - The United States General Accounting Office
5. REFERENCES.
   1. TO 114-01, “Treasury Office of Inspector General.”
   2. TO 115-01, "Office of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration."
   3. TD 40-03, "Treasury Audit Resolution, Follow-up, and Closure."
6. CANCELLATION. TD 40-02, "Corresponding with the General Accounting Office," dated February 14, 2000, is superseded.
7. OFFICE OF PRIMARY INTEREST. Risk and Risk Control Group, Office of the Deputy Chief Financial Officer, and Office of the Assistant Secretary for Management.