Download - Insights from a Former Federal Auditor
Insights from a Former Federal Auditor
Briget Biernat JansDirector of Financial Aid Compliance
DePaul University
Who Does What, Where?
Washington, D.C. FSA headquarters Establish policies and
processes For regional offices, as well as
institutions Limited amount of
processing Office of General Counsel
Regional Offices School Participation Teams Carry out policies and
processes Ensure compliance Address complaints FOIA requests Other teams
School Participation TeamRegion V Staffing
Area Case DirectorManagers
Institutional Improvement Specialists Financial Analysts Institutional Review Specialists
Administrative Staff
Trainers
What’s In It for YOU? Trainers Institutional Improvement Specialists
Assist schools that are new to FSAthat may be struggling with some
aspect of the regulations Technical Assistance Duty
Ask questions – (312) 730-1511
The Hats Worn byInstitutional Review Specialists
Commonly known as “auditors” Variety of tasks
Eligibility Actions Method of Payment (MOP) Claims Audit Resolutions* Program Reviews
Recently, restructured to be more specialized
Eligibility ActionsNew school approvalsRe-certificationsE-App updates
Additional locations Adding new programs New leadership
President Aid director Board members
Eligibility ActionsNo matter the eligibility action, always,
always, always send copies of: Institutional accreditation State authorization Signature page
Make friends with academic affairsKeep copies for yourself
Method of Payment (MOP) ClaimsReview Specialists must review all claims
for payments for schools under the reimbursement payment method. Schools pay student first Submit student-specific documentation of
eligibility Specialists review each student before
approving or denying payment
Audit Resolutions You submit via E-Z Audit Washington reviews for material completeness Assigns deficient audits to region Manager assigns to Review Specialist
Not always same person from year to yearDepends on workload
Audit Resolutions*Within the region, most likely reason to
lead to a federal program reviewQualified opinion
material uncertainty existsAdverse audit report
Institution has significant financial issues
Audit ResolutionsReviewer builds a case for recommending
a program reviewPresents it during the full-team meetingTeam votes on whether need exists to do
a review
Audit ResolutionsKeep deficient audits from becoming
program reviews:Avoid repeat findings at all costs.Prepare a thorough management
response to any findings.Discuss sample size with your auditors.
10% error rate = full file review
Program Reviews
Most reviews determined by WashingtonUsually focused on a particular concern
Some come from regional concernsTypically from deficient audits
Program Reviews What to do when you’re selected
Notify your President and other key officesBegin gathering requested information
IMMEDIATELY Call with questions ASAP Not meeting deadline = “lack of
administrative capability”
Program Reviews Make sure others understand importance and
need for speed Findings are typically addressed along the way
Shouldn’t be any surprises at end of week If you can fix a finding on the spot, hop on it The goal is an “expedited determination
letter”
Questions???