Risk Management and Audit Resolution

The Audit Resolution and Risk Management (ARRM) team manages the audit coordination and resolution activities for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The team coordinates Recovery Act audits, non-Recovery Act audits, Single Audits and risk management activities across EERE. In addition, the team develops policies and procedures to guide the management and execution of audit resolution and follow-up activities; performs risk assessments, reviews, and evaluations of program operations, activities, and internal controls to ensure effective controls and compliance with policies and best practice; and collects and validates corrective action data and artifacts to support closure of audit recommendations.

The ARRM team provides the following:

• Data and reporting of audit metrics to EERE stakeholders and management to ensure they have the latest status and performance information on audit findings and trends.
• Outreach via webinars, televideo, and conference calls to inform and educate EERE stakeholders on audit and risk management activities.
• Tips, templates and procedures to guide the management and execution of audit resolution and follow-up activities; single audit and risk assessment activities.
• Coordination, collection and validation of corrective action data in response to audit findings.

Stakeholders

ARRM coordinates and facilitates time-sensitive communications between EERE offices and:

• Department of Energy Office of Inspector General (OIG)
• Government Accountability Office (GAO)
• Department of Energy Staff and Other Auditors

ARRM coordinates with OIG, GAO, EERE office staff, Field Office staff, and DOE-wide stakeholders to provide:

• Audit liaison, follow-up and resolution support for OIG and GAO Recovery Act and non- Recovery Act audits
• Coordination of A-133 Single Audit activities
• Coordination of OIG Hotline complaints
• Coordination of risk assessments

Communication

• The team compiles, summarizes, reviews, and formats audit coordination and resolution metrics reports for senior leadership and other stakeholders as needed.
• The team also coordinates, informs and educates EERE staff on the teams' roles, responsibilities, and activities as well as informs stakeholders of ongoing audit activities.
• AARM utilizes several methods to communicate information both internally and externally.
  • Meetings
  • Training for Stakeholders
  • Audit Data and Trending Reports
  • Teleconferences
  • Webinars
  • Field Site Visits

A-133 Single Audit Activities

All nonprofit recipients, such as state and local governments and universities spending more than $500,000 of federal funds in a fiscal year are required by the Single Audit Act and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-133 to obtain independent audits every year that may identify issues or concerns relating to DOE programs. The Single Audits are performed by private independent CPA firms or by state auditors.

The Federal Audit Clearinghouse is a centralized repository established for collection of Single Audit reports. It operates on behalf of OMB and its primary purposes are to:

• Disseminate audit information to Federal agencies and the general public,
• Support OMB oversight and assessment of Federal award audit requirements,
• Assist Federal cognizant and oversight agencies in obtaining OMB Circular A-133 data and reporting packages, and
• Help auditors and auditees minimize the reporting burden

ARRM performs the following Single Audit activities:

• Central point of contact for oversight and coordination of Single Audit findings related to EERE programs.
• Interfaces with CFO to determine Single Audit findings and management decision actions required.
• Communicates and coordinates Single Audit information with program offices and field elements.
• Reviews Single Audit findings, recommendations, and corrective action plans to ensure propriety.
• Drafts management decision letters within 60 calendar days of being notified by CFO.
• Follows-up and coordinates with program offices and field elements on status of corrective actions.
• Updates Single Audit finding status on the Departmental Audit Resolution Tracking system (DARTS).

Risk Management Activities

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Implementing Guidance for the Recovery Act requires that agencies and programs receiving Recovery Act funding manage risks by identifying, prioritizing, monitoring and mitigating risks. As such, each of the programs across the EERE portfolio is required to perform a risk assessment on a quarterly basis to ensure program and project risks are being managed and mitigated in accordance with this guidance.

The ARRM team leads the coordination of these risk assessment activities and provides guidance and support to EERE offices by performing the following activities:

• Central point of contact for oversight and coordination of risk assessments across EERE.
• Interfaces with CFO to obtain risk assessment information and guidance.
• Communicates and coordinates risk assessment information and guidance with EERE offices and field elements.
• Participates and partners with EERE offices to identify, assess, monitor, and manage risks.
• Assists EERE offices with documenting risk assessments via the automated Risk Reporting Tool on the IPortal dashboard.
• Reviews risk assessments to ensure quality.
• Coordinates and facilitates review and approval of risk assessments across EERE.

Office of Inspector General Hotline Activities

The team also provides coordination assistance to the Office of Inspector General (OIG) by coordinating Hotline requests for information with the appropriate EERE office. More information regarding the OIG Hotline can be found at the following link:
http://energy.gov/ig/services  

Learn More

The Risk Management and Audit Resolution team held and recorded an informational Webinar on Thursday, May 5, 2011, reviewing the audit process for EERE headquarters and field personnel. The Office of the Inspector General presented information on Audits, Inspections and Investigations. View the recorded Webinar (WMV 53 MB). Download Windows Media Player.

For additional information on the EERE-related audits, please visit the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of the Inspector General website or the Government Accountability Office website.