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Many people think an audit examines financial operations only. While that may have been true 20 years ago, Federal auditing today is as concerned with getting the most out of taxpayer dollars as it is with an agency's financial health. In a way, OIG auditors serve as independent reporters who inform the Secretary, the Congress and the public about whether DOL programs meet legislative intent or fall short of expectations. 

But our job does not stop there. We also work with management to develop sound recommendations aimed at fixing identified problems and preventing future ones. The Office of Audit serves as a resource to DOL managers in improving their organizations and program operations. Because OIG auditors possess expertise in a wide range of areas, from developing and maintaining financial and information systems to articulating meaningful performance measures, the Office of Audit is often called on to assist the Department in designing effective management systems and tools. We also play a role in identifying and disseminating best practices used by DOL agencies and grantees so that successful approaches can be replicated. 

The tools and techniques utilized by the Office of Audit include both traditional ones and those on the cutting edge of technology. We use specialized statistical and audit software in our annual examination of the Department's consolidated financial statements. Our efforts to measure results across the spectrum of DOL programs have been greatly enhanced as we develop new ways to mine the vast stores of data maintained in other Federal, state and local information systems. For example, we utilize state Unemployment Insurance automated wage records to determine the earnings and employment retention of individuals served by DOLs job training programs.

The OIG Office of Audit is at the forefront of efforts to improve the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of DOL programs and services. In this way, we seek to ensure that taxpayers' investments are adequately protected and provide maximum benefit to the U.S. workers they are intended to serve.