Transcript Document
Insights from a Former Federal Auditor
Briget Biernat Jans
Director of Financial Aid Compliance
DePaul University
Who Does What, Where?
Washington, D.C.
FSA headquarters
Establish policies and
processes
For regional offices, as well as
institutions
Limited amount of
processing
Office of General Counsel
Regional Offices
School Participation Teams
Carry out policies and
processes
Ensure compliance
Address complaints
FOIA requests
Other teams
School Participation Team
Region V Staffing
Area Case Director
Managers
Institutional Improvement Specialists
Financial Analysts
Institutional Review Specialists
Administrative Staff
Trainers
What’s In It for YOU?
Trainers
Institutional Improvement Specialists
Assist schools that are
new to FSA
that may be struggling with some
aspect of the regulations
Technical Assistance Duty
Ask questions – (312) 730-1511
The Hats Worn by
Institutional Review Specialists
Commonly known as “auditors”
Variety of tasks
Eligibility Actions
Method of Payment (MOP) Claims
Audit Resolutions*
Program Reviews
Recently, restructured to be more specialized
Eligibility Actions
New school approvals
Re-certifications
E-App updates
Additional locations
Adding new programs
New leadership
President
Aid director
Board members
Eligibility Actions
No matter the eligibility action, always,
always, always send copies of:
Institutional accreditation
State authorization
Signature page
Make friends with academic affairs
Keep copies for yourself
Method of Payment (MOP) Claims
Review Specialists must review all claims
for payments for schools under the
reimbursement payment method.
Schools pay student first
Submit student-specific documentation of
eligibility
Specialists review each student before
approving or denying payment
Audit Resolutions
You submit via E-Z Audit
Washington reviews for material completeness
Assigns deficient audits to region
Manager assigns to Review Specialist
Not always same person from year to year
Depends on workload
Audit Resolutions
*Within the region, most likely reason to
lead to a federal program review
Qualified opinion
material uncertainty exists
Adverse audit report
Institution has significant financial
issues
Audit Resolutions
Reviewer builds a case for recommending
a program review
Presents it during the full-team meeting
Team votes on whether need exists to do
a review
Audit Resolutions
Keep deficient audits from becoming
program reviews:
Avoid repeat findings at all costs.
Prepare a thorough management
response to any findings.
Discuss sample size with your auditors.
10% error rate = full file review
Program Reviews
Most reviews determined by Washington
Usually focused on a particular concern
Some come from regional concerns
Typically from deficient audits
Program Reviews
What to do when you’re selected
Notify your President and other key offices
Begin gathering requested information
IMMEDIATELY
Call with questions ASAP
Not meeting deadline = “lack of
administrative capability”
Program Reviews
Make sure others understand importance and
need for speed
Findings are typically addressed along the way
Shouldn’t be any surprises at end of week
If you can fix a finding on the spot, hop on it
The goal is an “expedited determination
letter”
Questions???