OFFICE OF
THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

SINGLE AUDIT OF THE
STATE OF WISCONSIN
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
JUNE 30, 2004

January 2006

A-77-06-00005

MANAGEMENT ADVISORY REPORT

Mission

We improve SSA programs and operations and protect them against fraud, waste, and abuse by conducting independent and objective audits, evaluations, and investigations. We provide timely, useful, and reliable information and advice to Administration officials, the Congress, and the public.

Authority

The Inspector General Act created independent audit and investigative units, called the Office of Inspector General (OIG). The mission of the OIG, as spelled out in the Act, is to:

Conduct and supervise independent and objective audits and investigations relating to agency programs and operations.
Promote economy, effectiveness, and efficiency within the agency.
Prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in agency programs and operations.
Review and make recommendations regarding existing and proposed legislation and regulations relating to agency programs and operations.
Keep the agency head and the Congress fully and currently informed of problems in agency programs and operations.

To ensure objectivity, the IG Act empowers the IG with:

Independence to determine what reviews to perform.
Access to all information necessary for the reviews.
Authority to publish findings and recommendations based on the reviews.

Vision

By conducting independent and objective audits, investigations, and evaluations, we are agents of positive change striving for continuous improvement in the Social Security Administration's programs, operations, and management and in our own office.

MEMORANDUM

Date: January 31, 2006

To: Candace Skurnik
Director
Audit Management and Liaison Staff

From: Inspector General

Subject: Management Advisory Report: Single Audit of the State of Wisconsin for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2004 (A-77-06-00005)

This report presents the Social Security Administration's (SSA) portion of the single audit of the State of Wisconsin for the Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2004. Our objective was to report internal control weaknesses, noncompliance issues, and unallowable costs identified in the single audit to SSA for resolution action.

The Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau performed the audit. The Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) desk review concluded that the audit met Federal requirements. In reporting the results of the single audit, we relied entirely on the internal control and compliance work performed by the Wisconsin Legislative Audit Bureau and the reviews performed by HHS. We conducted our review in accordance with the Quality Standards for Inspections issued by the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency.

For single audit purposes, the Office of Management and Budget assigns Federal programs a Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number. SSA's programs are identified by CFDA number 96. SSA is responsible for resolving single audit findings reported under this CFDA number.

The Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) within the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) provides vocational rehabilitation services to individuals receiving Disability Insurance (DI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). SSA reimburses DVR for the direct costs of items purchased for these individuals, such as tuition payments and specialized equipment purchases. SSA also reimburses DVR for the indirect costs related to providing administrative, placement, and counseling services; and tracking and monitoring of work activity.

The single audit reported that DWD did not have sufficient internal controls over its rehabilitation services' program. Specifically, DWD did not:

Maintain documentation to support the claims submitted to SSA for reimbursement. DWD could not identify the names of vocational rehabilitation clients, services provided, and time periods during which clients fulfilled the requirements to support $43,664 charged to SSA for rehabilitation services.

Identify all vocational rehabilitation clients for which it was entitled to claim reimbursement from SSA. The single audit estimated that approximately $583,000 in additional vocational rehabilitation costs were potentially eligible for SSA reimbursement.

The corrective action plan indicated that DWD implemented procedures to identify cases eligible for reimbursement and will retain data on all reimbursement claims for a minimum of 4 years. In addition, DWD stated that staff would be trained by SSA (Attachment A, pages 1, 2, and 3).

We recommend that SSA:

1. Determine if the $43,664 charged to SSA was for eligible vocational rehabilitation clients and collect any unallowable costs.

2. Verify that DWD established sufficient internal controls to ensure only eligible cases are claimed for reimbursement and adequate documentation is maintained to support the costs claimed.

Please send copies of the final Audit Clearance Document to Shannon Agee and Rona Lawson. If you have questions contact Shannon Agee at (816) 936 5590.

Patrick P. O'Carroll, Jr.

Overview of the Office of the Inspector General

The Office of the Inspector General (OIG) is comprised of our Office of Investigations (OI), Office of Audit (OA), Office of the Chief Counsel to the Inspector General (OCCIG), and Office of Resource Management (ORM). To ensure compliance with policies and procedures, internal controls, and professional standards, we also have a comprehensive Professional Responsibility and Quality Assurance program.

Office of Audit

OA conducts and/or supervises financial and performance audits of the Social Security Administration's (SSA) programs and operations and makes recommendations to ensure program objectives are achieved effectively and efficiently. Financial audits assess whether SSA's financial statements fairly present SSA's financial position, results of operations, and cash flow. Performance audits review the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of SSA's programs and operations. OA also conducts short-term management and program evaluations and projects on issues of concern to SSA, Congress, and the general public.

Office of Investigations

OI conducts and coordinates investigative activity related to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement in SSA programs and operations. This includes wrongdoing by applicants, beneficiaries, contractors, third parties, or SSA employees performing their official duties. This office serves as OIG liaison to the Department of Justice on all matters relating to the investigations of SSA programs and personnel. OI also conducts joint investigations with other Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies.

Office of the Chief Counsel to the Inspector General

OCCIG provides independent legal advice and counsel to the IG on various matters, including statutes, regulations, legislation, and policy directives. OCCIG also advises the IG on investigative procedures and techniques, as well as on legal implications and conclusions to be drawn from audit and investigative material. Finally, OCCIG administers the Civil Monetary Penalty program.

Office of Resource Management

ORM supports OIG by providing information resource management and systems security. ORM also coordinates OIG's budget, procurement, telecommunications, facilities, and human resources. In addition, ORM is the focal point for OIG's strategic planning function and the development and implementation of performance measures required by the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993.