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Office of Audit and Compliance
The Office of Audit and Compliance was established as an independent office during the 1987-1988 reorganization of the former Department of Public and Assisted Housing (DPAH). Prior to that time, all internal audit functions were performed within the Office of the Comptroller.
The DCHA Act, dated January 18, 2000, re-established the DCHA to govern public housing in the District. Section 8 of the Act states:
"The Authority shall establish an Office of Audit and Compliance. The Office of Audit and Compliance shall conduct independent fiscal and management audits of the Authority's operations; other special audits, examinations, or other assignments; and civil and criminal investigations. The Office of Audit and Compliance shall comply with all federal requirements with respect to audits and investigations of federal programs and shall be the Authority's liaison for the General Accounting Office and the Office of the Inspector General of HUD."
Under its current structure, OAC has a dual reporting relationship to the Board of Commissioners and to the Executive Director.
The OAC is an independent appraisal function established to examine and evaluate its activities as a service to the agency. OAC's overall objective is to assist members of the DCHA in the effective discharge of their responsibilities. To this end, OAC furnishes them with analyses, appraisals, recommendations, counsel, and information concerning the financial, operational, and internal control activities. The current staffing configuration for OAC is shown below.
The OAC serves the DCHA by helping to identify and reduce risks, ensuring policies, procedures, laws, and regulations are followed and established standards are met, that resources are used efficiently and effectively, and that DCHA objectives are achieved. Audit and Compliance provides the following services:
Conducts financial and financial-related audits;
Conducts compliance reviews of operating controls and transactions to determine compliance with laws, regulations, procedures;
Conducts performance/operational audits to determine efficiency, economy, effectiveness of all program areas and operations;
Provides Resident Councils with analyses, recommendations, and technical assistance concerning their financial operations and internal control activities;
Conducts both criminal and administrative investigations involving allegations of impropriety, fraud, criminal activities, etc.
Serves as liaison and coordinator of DCHA's interest with HUD and local regulatory and investigative bodies.
Responds to requests from the Board of Commissioners, the Executive Director and Senior Management team for independent analyses of management or internal control systems.
Coordinates audit efforts between internal and external auditors to avoid duplication of efforts.
To report fraud, waste, abuse, or other violations of law or to request an investigation, call the OAC toll free hotline at 1-888-535-3995.An employee or other complainant who discovers or suspects criminal or fraudulent activity involving DCHA employees, its consultants, vendors, contractors, or others doing business with the Housing Authority shall report such activities to the Office of Audit and Compliance immediately.The employee or other complainant may remain anonymous.
An employee can speak to the Director of the Office of Audit and Compliance at (202) 535-1900, leave a message on the Confidential Hotline at 1-888-535-3995, mail information to:
Director of Audit and Compliance
1133 North Capitol Street, N.E., Room 140
Washington, D. C. 20002-7599
or
Email the information to: bmiller@dchousing.org
When reporting information to the Office of Audit and Compliance, please be as specific and provide as much detail as possible. The more information you provide, the more thorough the investigation can be. If you believe that by making a report to the Office of Audit and Compliance you may be at risk of reprisal by your supervisor, please inform the Office of Audit and Compliance of this fact.The following shall illustrate, but not limit, actions that may constitute criminal or fraudulent behavior:
Theft, embezzlement, or other misapplication of funds or assets;
Any dishonest or fraudulent act;Forgery or alteration of any document or account belonging to the Housing Authority;
Forgery or alteration of a check, bank draft, or any other financial document;
Impropriety in the handling or reporting of money or financial transactions;
Bribery, kickbacks, or bid rigging;
Accepting or seeking anything of material value from contractors, vendors, or persons providing services/materials to the Housing Authority;