Department of Health and Human Services

Office of Inspector General -- AUDIT

"Review of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Resolution of Unaccounted for Property ," (A-15-94-00020)

May 10, 1995

Complete Text of Report is available in PDF format (3.6 mb). Copies can also be obtained by contacting the Office of Public Affairs at 202-619-1343.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

This final report presents the results of OIG's audit of the effectiveness of CDC in resolving issues of missing property and the adequacy of CDC's FY 1993 review of management controls over property. Our audit found that items unaccounted for during CDC's FY 1992 inventory were unaccounted for in the FY 1993 inventory.

We recommended that CDC strengthen management controls over property by: (1) promptly resolving missing property; (2) performing reconciliations as required by HHS; (3) separating key duties within CDC property management functions to maintain an adequate system of checks and balances; (4) conducting a management control review of property management which fully complies with standards; and (5) establishing and promoting the use of a hotline for the anonymous referral of information on property at risk. The Public Health Service generally concurred with our recommendations.