U.S. Office of Government Ethics
1201 New York Avenue, NW., 
Suite 500
Washington, DC 20005-3917




				April 30, 2008
				DO-08-019

MEMORANDUM

TO:		Designated Agency Ethics Officials

FROM:		Joseph E. Gangloff
		Deputy Director

SUBJECT:	Review of Financial Disclosure Processes and Procedures 


        The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) is conducting a review to evaluate agencies’ 
processes and procedures for collecting, reviewing, and certifying financial disclosure reports, 
including those filed by nominees for Presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed (PAS) positions.  
The review will consist of two parts.  The first part will be a questionnaire to be completed 
electronically.  The second part will be an on-site follow-up.  Agencies selected to be included in the 
review will be contacted in the near future.  

	The review will focus on internal controls; the review is also intended to underscore the 
importance of ensuring accuracy, consistency, and timeliness in the processing of PAS nominee 
reports in anticipation of the next Presidential transition.

        Financial disclosure serves to prevent conflicts of interest and to identify potential conflicts 
by providing for a systematic review of financial interests of both current and prospective officers 
and employees.  Financial disclosure is intended to promote public confidence in the integrity of the 
Federal Government by demonstrating that high-level officials are able to carry out their duties 
without compromising the public trust. 

        To begin the review process, OGE will e-mail a questionnaire to agencies included in the 
review.  The questionnaire addresses processes and procedures for handling both public (SF 278) and 
confidential (OGE Form 450) financial disclosure reports.  The questionnaire does not address the 
financial disclosure reports filed by special Government employees (SGEs).  Information gathered 
through the questionnaire and subsequent on-site follow-up visits will be used to develop model 
practices and recommendations to enhance the executive branch ethics program.


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