Under the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, OIG is authorized to carry out various reviews to "promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of, and ... prevent and detect fraud and abuse in ... [TVA's] programs and operations."
As part of our mission, we conduct reviews that rely on input from employees, management officials, and affected departmental programs and operations. The findings from our audits, investigations, and evaluations help TVA improve its programs and operations as well as prevent or detect fraud, waste, or abuse.
A memorandum to TVA management (and when applicable, letter to the contractor management) from OIG management formally scheduling the audit / evaluation is typically sent shortly after the phone call or email has been made.
The entrance conference is a meeting between the audit / evaluation team and the responsible TVA personnel (and when applicable, contractor personnel) after the scheduling memorandum (letter) has been sent. The review team explains the purpose of the audit / evaluation (objectives), the areas to be reviewed during the review (scope), and the estimated date the review will be complete (timing).
Audit / evaluation field work is performed by the review team and typically includes conducting interviews; reviewing policies, procedures, contract documents, etc.; testing for compliance with the policies, procedures, contract terms, etc.; assessing the adequacy of internal controls; and assessing programs' effectiveness and efficiency. The review team regularly communicates any issues identified (findings) during this portion of the review with the responsible TVA personnel (and when applicable, contractor personnel).
The Exit Conference is a meeting between the review team and the responsible TVA personnel (and when applicable, contractor personnel) after the field work is completed. The review team explains all issues identified (findings) from the audit / evaluation, the OIG's recommendations to address the issues, how the report process will work, and when the draft report is expected to be issued.
The Draft Audit / Evaluation Report is issued to TVA management (and when applicable, contractor management) and contains detailed commentary describing the issues identified (findings) and recommendations to address the findings. TVA management (and when applicable, contractor management) are requested to provide written comments on the report within 30 days of the draft report date.
TVA management (and when applicable, contractor management) are to provide their written comments on the draft report to OIG management within 30 days of the draft report date.
The Final Audit / Evaluation Report is issued to TVA management (and when applicable, contractor management) and contains the issues identified (findings), recommendations to address the findings, and incorporates TVA management's comments on the draft audit report (and when applicable, contractor management's comments on the draft audit report).
TVA management is responsible for (1) determining the necessary actions to take in response to the recommendations in the final audit / evaluation report, and (2) notifying OIG management in writing within 60 days of the final report date of its actions taken or planned actions.
The OIG tracks all Final Report recommendations until (1) TVA management formally notifies OIG management of the actions taken to address the recommendations, and (2) the OIG confirms those actions have been taken by TVA management.
This set of frequently asked questions (FAQs) is intended to give TVA employees and managers helpful information regarding the nature and scope of OIG audit and evaluation activities, as well as their obligations and rights in connection with these activities. In the interest of transparency, we are providing these FAQs to promote greater understanding of OIG's processes.
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