Our Approach

To fulfill our mission to conduct independent and objective audits and investigations of the agencies we oversee and report our findings to those agencies, Congress, and the public, we assess and monitor foreign aid and development activities and, where appropriate, recommend actions for improving agency programs and operations and safeguarding taxpayer funds. We rely on both civil service and Foreign Service auditors, analysts, investigators, and other specialists in Washington, DC, and around the world who are held accountable for meeting the highest professional standards for providing reliable and trustworthy oversight of U.S. foreign assistance.

Our audits and investigations are mandated by statute or other requirements, or performed at our discretion—based on a risk-based planning process. When identifying and prioritizing our work, we consider factors such as stakeholder needs and interests, alignment with our strategic goals, program and project funding levels, U.S. financial and security risks, and overall U.S. diplomatic goals.

The following links provide more detailed information on our approach: