Federal inspectors general are statutory officials created by the Inspector General Act of 1978. They operate independently within executive branch agencies—investigating fraud, waste, and misconduct—and report findings to both agency leadership and Congress.
Their dual reporting obligation is what makes them effective: they cannot be silenced by agency leadership, and their congressional reports create public accountability. IG offices collectively identify billions of dollars in savings annually.
The Inspector General Reform Act of 2008 requires presidents to give Congress 30-day notice before removing an IG, protecting their independence from politically motivated dismissals.
Federal inspectors general catch waste and fraud that would otherwise go unnoticed. Their dual reporting to both agency leadership and Congress creates accountability that prevents billions in taxpayer money from being squandered.
People often confuse inspectors general with internal auditors. IGs are independent from agency leadership and report to Congress, while internal audits are agency-controlled and stay within the organization.
Federal inspectors general catch waste and fraud that would otherwise go unnoticed. Their dual reporting to both agency leadership and Congress creates accountability that prevents billions in taxpayer money from being squandered.
People often confuse inspectors general with internal auditors. IGs are independent from agency leadership and report to Congress, while internal audits are agency-controlled and stay within the organization.