In general.— Not less frequently than annually, the financial statements of the Center for the preceding fiscal year shall be audited by an independent auditor in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles—
Report.— Not later than 180 days after the date on which an audit under subparagraph (A) is completed, the independent auditor shall issue an audit report.
In general.— On completion of the audit report under subparagraph (C) for a fiscal year, the Center shall prepare, in a separate document, a corrective action plan that responds to any corrective action recommended by the independent auditor.
In the case of a recommended corrective action based on a finding in the audit report with which the Center disagrees, or for which the Center determines that corrective action is not required, an explanation and a specific reason for noncompliance with the recommendation.
Access to records and personnel.— With respect to an audit under paragraph (1), the Center shall provide the independent auditor access to all records, documents, and personnel and financial statements of the Center necessary to carry out the audit.
Personally identifiable information.— An audit report or the minutes made available under subparagraph (A) shall not include the personally identifiable information of any individual.
a detailed description of any complaint of retaliation made during the preceding year by an officer or employee of the Center or a contractor or subcontractor of the Center that includes—
information relating to the educational activities and trainings conducted by the office of education and outreach of the Center during the preceding year, including the number of educational activities and trainings developed and provided; and
an opinion or a disclaimer of opinion that presents the assessment of the independent auditor with respect to the financial records of the Center, including whether such records are accurate and have been maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
an assessment of the internal controls used by the Center that describes the scope of testing of the internal controls and the results of such testing; and
a compliance assessment that includes an opinion or a disclaimer of opinion as to whether the Center has complied with the terms and conditions of subsection (b); and
“independent auditor” means an independent certified public accountant or independent licensed public accountant, certified or licensed by a regulatory authority of a State or a political subdivision of a State, who meets the standards specified in generally accepted accounting principles.
Notes, amendments, and revision history
(Added Pub. L. 115–126, title II, § 202(a), Feb. 14, 2018, 132 Stat. 323; amended Pub. L. 116–189, § 8(c), Oct. 30, 2020, 134 Stat. 968.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (b)(3)(A)(ii), is classified to section 501(c) of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Amendments
2020—Subsecs. (b) to (d). Pub. L. 116–189 added subsecs. (b) to (d) and struck out former subsec. (b). Prior to amendment, text of subsec. (b) read as follows: “The Center shall submit an annual report to Congress, including—
“(1) an audit conducted and submitted in accordance with section 10101; and
“(2) a description of the activities of the Center.”