The National Intergovernmental Audit Forum (NIAF), created in 1973, is an association of audit executives from federal, state and local governments. It exists to improve coordination, communication, and cooperation among its members, private sector firms, and other accountability organizations to address common challenges, increase public trust, and enhance government performance, accountability, and transparency.
The NIAF works with 10 regional forums throughout the United States. These forums provide a means to exchange views and solve common problems, promote audit standards, and coordinate audit guides.
NIAF Executive Committee
Chair
GENE L. DODARO
Comptroller General of the United States
Vice Chair
VACANT
Federal Representatives
MICHAEL E. HOROWITZ
Inspector General
U.S. Department of Justice
ALISON LERNER
Inspector General
National Science Foundation
State Representatives (2)
VACANT
Local Representatives (2)
VACANT
Associate Member Representatives
D. SCOT LOYD
Partner
Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk, & Loyd, LLC
R. KINNEY POYNTER
Executive Director
NASACT
Office of Management and Budget Representative
VACANT
Executive Director (Acting)
LUIS ESCALANTE, JR.
U.S. Government Accountability Office
escalantel@gao.gov
(214) 777-5693
NIAF Charter
Mission of the National Forum
The National Intergovernmental Audit Forum, created in 1973, is an association of audit executives from federal, state, and local governments. It exists to improve coordination, communication, and cooperation among its members, private sector firms, and other accountability organizations in order to address common challenges; enhance government performance, accountability, and transparency; and increase public trust.
Strategic Goals of the National Forum
- Foster networking, dialogue, and collaboration on current and emerging issues of common interest within the accountability
- Enhance the capability, credibility, capacity, effectiveness, and professionalism of audit organizations by advancing audit standards, sharing best practices, and emphasizing the importance of accountability within government and the audit
- Improve the Forum’s outreach, management, and impact to assist members in transforming government
Activities of the National Forum
To further its mission and goals, the Forum will (1) hold meetings, establish committees, and sponsor or conduct technical group sessions that facilitate cooperation and interagency exchange of information related to auditing and audits; (2) identify opportunities for members to collaborate on critical interagency and intergovernmental challenges that will contribute significantly to the efficiency and usefulness of auditing at all levels of government; (3) monitor the standard setting bodies and advance the audit standards within governments and the audit profession; and (4) provide a means of communication between the Forum and regional audit forums or councils, professional organizations, public interest groups, and others who may become involved with activities addressed by the Forum.
Membership of the National Forum
The Members of the Forum are the following audit executives:
- The Comptroller General of the United States who shall be the permanent Chair of the
- All federal Inspectors General subject to the Inspector General Act, as
- Heads of state audit organizations, up to three from each regional forum selected by the state auditors of that
- Heads of local audit organizations, up to three from each regional forum selected by the local auditors of that
The Forum also may have nonvoting Associate Members. An individual may submit a request to be an Associate Member to the Forum’s Executive Committee, which may approve the request at its discretion. Associate Members may include, but are not limited to, heads of federal audit organizations other than Offices of Inspector General subject to the Inspector General Act, senior members of Certified Public Accounting (CPA) firms who provide support to the public sector’s accountability organizations, and other individuals interested in furthering the Forum’s mission and goals.
Officers of the National Forum
The Forum shall have two officers: a Chair and a Vice Chair. The Chair of the Forum shall be the Comptroller General of the United States, who shall be the principal executive of the Forum responsible for promoting and managing the achievement of the Forum’s mission and goals. The Chair, or his GAO designated representative, shall preside over all meetings.
The Vice Chair shall be selected by a majority of the voting members of the Executive Committee and shall serve a three-year, nonrenewable term. The position of Vice Chair shall rotate among the federal, state and local members. In the absence of the Chair and his GAO designated representative, the Vice Chair shall perform the duties of the Chair.
Committees of the National Forum
The Forum shall have an Executive Committee consisting of the following ten members:
- The Comptroller General of the United States, as Chair of the Forum, shall also serve as Chair of the Executive
- Two Federal Inspectors General who shall be selected by the other Inspector General
- Two State Members who shall be selected by the other State Members of the
- Two Local Members who shall be selected by the other Local Members of the
- Two Associate Members, at least one of whom shall represent CPA firms, who shall be selected by the other Associate Members of the Forum and serve in a nonvoting
- A representative from the Office of Management and Budget who shall serve in a nonvoting
- The voting members of the Executive Committee, except for the Chair, shall serve a term of three years and may be reappointed, but may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
Except for amending the Forum’s charter, the Executive Committee is authorized to approve and carry out the functions of the Forum. At its discretion, the Executive Committee may bring matters before the Forum’s membership for its action. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for calling meetings of the Forum and providing oversight of Forum activities.
The Forum shall have four standing committees: Emerging Issues, Standards Liaison, Communications and Outreach, and Knowledge Sharing. The responsibilities of the Standing Committees shall be those described in the Forum’s Strategic Plan. The Executive Committee shall appoint the chairs of the Standing Committees.
Each Standing Committee shall
- consist of six to ten members, who will be appointed for two-year, renewable terms by the chair of the standing committee. In appointing members to a standing committee, the committee chair shall consider having geographic diversity and a mix of federal, state, and local auditors and representatives of CPA firms;
- address significant projects and other matters or refer them to the Executive Committee;
- develop operating procedures, hold regular meetings, and record minutes of such meetings; and
- establish committee work groups that will cease to exist when their assigned activities are
The Forum may also form work groups to address various operational or administrative issues.
Meetings of the National Forum
Regularly scheduled meetings of the Forum shall be held at least annually, at such time and place designated by the Executive Committee. Additional meetings may be called as appropriate by the Chair of the Executive Committee. Individuals may attend and participate in Forum meetings and committees without being a member of the Forum.
Voting in the Executive Committee and National Forum
Except as provided below, the Executive Committee may approve any Forum matter before it with the approval of a majority of its voting members. The Chair of the Executive Committee shall determine the appropriate method for obtaining the Executive Committee’s approval.
The Forum’s charter may be amended only by a vote of the Forum’s voting members. Amendments to the Forum’s Charter shall be approved only if supported by a majority of the Forum’s voting membership. Votes to amend the Forum’s Charter may be submitted in person, in writing, or electronically.
Matters brought before the Forum by the Executive Committee at its discretion shall be decided at Forum meetings. All voting Members may vote on Forum matters when in attendance at Forum meetings except that Members may designate an alternate audit executive to represent them when they are unable to attend meetings. Matters shall be approved by a simple majority of the Members (and their alternates) who vote.
Administration of the Forum
The Forum will operate on a calendar year basis. There shall be an Executive Director, who shall be selected from the staff of the Government Accountability Office. The Executive Director shall provide general administrative and other support to the Forum and the Executive Committee. The Executive Director shall produce an Annual Report of the Forum, which shall include a summary of the Forum’s activities for the year and the results of its financial operations.
Download the NIAF Charter.
National Intergovernmental Audit Forums
NIAF David M. Walker Awards
NIAF History
In existence for 48 years, the National Intergovernmental Audit Forum (NIAF) is an association of audit executives from federal, state, and local governments. It exists to improve coordination, communication, and cooperation among its members, private sector firms, and other accountability organizations to address common challenges; enhance government performance, accountability, and transparency; and increase public trust. Annual meetings provide the opportunity to exchange information on current and emerging issues, best practices, auditing standards and facilitate networking among members of the audit community. Such meetings also provide professional education to those with audit responsibilities at each level of government (federal, state and local) in the United States. Those attending a typical meeting lead or staff: one of 72 Federal Inspectors General recognized by the Inspector General Act of 1978 as amended; an audit office from one of 56 states and territories; or an audit organization at the local level, where there are over 90,000 government entities. The United States consists of 50 states and six territories (American Samoa, District of Columbia, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands). The NIAF also provides information relevant to private sector auditors who audit federally funded programs and academic, industry and non-profit organizations.
Historically, the implications of key developments in intergovernmental relations for auditors led to the creation of the NIAF and 10 regional audit forums in 1973 and 1974. The United States General Accounting Office (now the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) with the assistance of key organizations representing different levels of government wanted to provide the audit community with the ability to address the requirements of new legislation and new auditing standards. These were the Council of State Governments, the Municipal Finance Officers Association (now the Government Finance Officers Association) and other agencies and organizations.
Statutes such as the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968 sought to improve the administration of federal grants and share federal revenues with state and local governments. New auditing standards also had important implications for federal, state and local governments. In 1972, GAO published Standards for Audit of Governmental Organizations, Programs, Activities & Functions now known as Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book).
The NIAF’s charter establishes its leadership and membership structure as well as operating procedures. Its Executive Committee consists of public sector audit executives and associate members interested in furthering the NIAF’s mission and goals. It is comprised of two Federal Inspectors General; two State members; two local members; two associate members, with one representing certified public accounting firms; and a representative from the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The Committee is chaired by the Comptroller General of the United States and head of GAO. In addition to the Comptroller General, members of the forum consist of the following audit executives: all federal Inspectors General subject to the Inspector General Act, as amended; heads of state audit organizations, up to three from each regional forum selected by the state auditors of that region; and heads of local audit organizations, up to three from each regional forum selected by the local auditors of that region. Besides playing a leadership role, GAO makes significant contributions of human capital and other resources critical to leading the NIAF. This includes serving as the primary organizer of the NIAFs annual meeting held either in Washington, D.C. or virtually. The organization finances its operation through meeting participant registration fees.
CONTACT
For general inquiries, email auditforums@gao.gov
M. Morning F. Washburn
NIAF Executive Director
WashburnM@gao.gov
(202) 997-5524
