Employees' Travel Claims (USIA)

Pursuant to an agency request, GAO reviewed whether the U.S. Information Agency's (USIA) proposed travel claims processing system conforms with the requirements of the GAO Policy and Procedures Manual. GAO noted that: (1) certifying officials will have sufficient support to routinely approve and certify travel vouchers without documentation and to ensure that electronic signatures are sufficient to maintain data integrity; (2) the proposal should highlight the certifying officer's responsibility to require supporting documentation before certification, evaluate the electronic signature generation and validation process, and annually review the system's internal controls; and (3) it has no objections to the system's implementation provided certain procedures are effectively implemented to alleviate internal control concerns.