About the Office of Inspector General

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) provides independent, objective, and timely oversight to improve the integrity, accountability, and performance of SBA and its programs for the benefit of the American people. OIG seeks to improve SBA programs by identifying key issues facing the agency, recommending corrective actions, and promoting a high level of integrity.

OIG is a member of The Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, an independent entity established within the executive branch.

The Inspector General, a presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed officer, keeps the SBA Administrator and the Congress fully informed of any problems, recommends corrective actions, and monitors progress in the implementation of such actions.

The two operating components of OIG are the Auditing Division and the Investigations Division. The Auditing and Investigations Divisions each administer their respective activities through field offices around the country. The Management and Operations Division and Office of Counsel support both the Inspector General and the operating divisions by providing human resources, budget, policy and planning, information technology, communications, administration, and legal services, respectively.

OIG is an independent and objective oversight office created within SBA by the Inspector General Act.

The Inspector General Act specifies that the OIG will:

• Promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the management of SBA programs and supporting operations
• Conduct and supervise audits, investigations, and reviews relating to the agency’s programs and support operations
• Detect and prevent fraud and abuse
• Review existing and proposed legislation and regulations and make appropriate recommendations
• Maintain effective working relationships with other federal, state and local governmental agencies, and non-governmental entities, regarding the mandated duties of the Inspector General
• Keep the SBA Administrator and Congress informed of serious problems and recommend corrective actions and implementation measures
• Comply with the audit standards of the Comptroller General
• Avoid duplication of Government Accountability Office activities
• Report violations of law to the U.S. Attorney General

OIG also has other significant statutory responsibilities. These include responsibilities under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act, as well as an increasing number of legislative mandates and government-wide directives.

OIG conducts financial and performance audits of internal agency functions and of participants in SBA programs to promote the economical, efficient, and effective operation of SBA programs.

Audits give SBA managers an objective and systematic assessment of how well their offices are carrying out their SBA-related programs and operations. Financial audits examine the presentation of financial information, internal controls, and adherence to financial requirements. Performance audits assess operations in terms of economical use of resources.

When an investigation finds a serious systemic deficiency in Agency procedures or practices of SBA personnel, OIG staff provide an advisory memorandum to the appropriate program officials setting forth the pertinent investigative findings and suggesting possible management actions or procedural changes to decrease or eliminate this vulnerability in the program.

OIG staff participate with SBA staff on agency-wide task forces to address issues of concern to the agency, the Congress, and the small business community.

OIG is mandated to review and evaluate legislation, regulations, standard operating procedures and other directives in terms of their impact on program economy and efficiency, or their prevention of fraud and abuse.

OIG investigates allegations of possible criminal violations and other wrongdoing. Most investigations are conducted in conjunction with a U.S. Attorney’s Office. While the subject of an OIG investigation can be an SBA employee, the vast majority of the subjects are applicants for or participants in agency programs.

OIG ensures that its personnel have the appropriate background investigations and security clearances to occupy their positions and perform their duties. OIG also adjudicates its personnel for issuance of the PIV card in accordance with regulations to ensure the safe access to federal facilities and information systems.

By mail:
409 3rd St. SW, Suite 7150
Washington, DC 20416

By telephone (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET):
202-205-6586

Nathania Bates, Counsel

ATTN: Office of Counsel
Office of Inspector General
409 3rd St. SW, Suite 7150
Washington, DC 20416
Telephone: 202-205-7178