OIG Monthly Highlights

CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY

Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audits and Evaluations Testifies Before the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on VA Financial Management Mr. Nick Dahl, Deputy Assistant Inspector General for Audits and Evaluations, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Inspector General (OIG), testified before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on the results of the audit of VA’s consolidated financial statements and its progress on reducing improper payments. Mr. Dahl focused on the increase in material weaknesses from fiscal year (FY) 2015 to FY 2016 and the elevation of a significant deficiency to a material weakness. The new material weaknesses relate to (1) education benefits accrued liability and (2) actuarial estimates for compensation, pension, and burial benefits. The issue of the relationship between VA’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) CFO was elevated from a significant deficiency. The Subcommittee and the hearing witnesses also discussed the definition of improper payments and efforts to reduce them. Mr. Dahl was accompanied by Ms. Sue Schwendiman, Director, OIG Financial Audits Division.