Management Advisory on Department of Homeland Security Components' Reporting of Conference Spending (OIG 15-121-MA)

We reviewed whether, from October 1, 2013, to December 31, 2014, DHS components reported conference expenses to OIG and the public as required. During this time period, DHS components reported 28 (15 percent) of 187 conferences they were required to report to OIG; of the 28, 2 (7 percent) were reported within the required 15 days. Based on conference expenses reported in the first quarter of fiscal year (FY) 2015, the components' compliance with the reporting requirement is improving-the percentage of conferences reported rose from 13 percent in FY 2014 to 30 percent in the first quarter of FY 2015. For all but one conference with expenses exceeding $100,000, DHS published conference expenditures on its website as required, but the public cannot easily find this information. We made three recommendations to improve DHS components' required reporting of conferences to OIG and the public. DHS concurred with these recommendations and took responsive action; we consider all three recommendations closed.