[Army Changes in Collection Procedures Covering Erroneous Payments]
Highlights
GAO addressed issues relating to relief from liability for erroneous payments for Army accountable officers. GAO noted that: (1) it met with Army officials to discuss the Army's progress in changing its collection procedures; and (2) it would extend the deadline for implementing its policy of denying relief in cases where the Army fails to follow diligent collection procedures.
B-222115, APR 18, 1986, OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
ACCOUNTABLE OFFICERS - RELIEF - DEBT COLLECTION - DILIGENCE IN PURSUING DIGEST: THE GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE HAS AGREED TO EXTEND THE TIME FRAME ESTABLISHED IN B-220836, NOVEMBER 29, 1985 AND JANUARY 10, 1986, FOR IMPLEMENTING ITS POLICY TO DENY RELIEF UNDER THE DILIGENT CLAIMS COLLECTION STANDARD OF 31 U.S.C. SEC. 3527(C) IF THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN A 3-MONTH DELAY IN NOTIFYING ARMY'S COLLECTION REPRESENTATIVES OF THE LOSS AFTER THE DEBIT VOUCHER HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE FINANCE OFFICER. THIS POLICY WILL NOW BE INSTITUTED FOR DEBIT VOUCHERS DATED AFTER JUNE 1, 1986.
MR. CLYDE E. JEFFCOAT:
PRINCIPAL DEPUTY COMMANDER
U.S. ARMY FINANCE AND
ACCOUNTING CENTER
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 46249
RECENTLY, MR. E.S. CAMPBELL, CHIEF GENERAL LAW DIVISION, U.S. ARMY FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING CENTER, MET WITH MR. RICHARD PARSONS, A SENIOR ATTORNEY ON MY STAFF, TO DISCUSS THE PROGRESS THE ARMY HAS MADE IN CHANGING COLLECTION PROCEDURES COVERING ERRONEOUS PAYMENTS. THESE MODIFICATIONS ARE THE RESULT OF OUR SHARED CONCERNS OVER THE AMOUNT OF TIME IT TAKES ARMY TO REFER A MATTER TO YOUR COLLECTION DIVISION ONCE NOTICE OF THE LOSS IS RECEIVED FROM THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT IN DUPLICATE CHECK CASES. AS WE INDICATED TO YOU IN OUR LETTERS OF NOVEMBER 29, 1985 AND JANUARY 10, 1986, TO ENFORCE THE DILIGENT CLAIM COLLECTION STANDARD OF 31 U.S.C. SEC. 3527(C), GAO WILL DENY RELIEF IF THERE HAS BEEN MORE THAN A 3 MONTH DELAY IN NOTIFYING ARMY'S COLLECTION REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LOSS AFTER THE DEBIT VOUCHER HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY THE FINANCE OFFICER.
MR. CAMPBELL HAS INDICATED THAT THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE ARMY'S DILIGENT COLLECTION ACTIONS AND LOSS OF FUNDS PROCEDURES ARE READY TO BE IMPLEMENTED. HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO ALLOW THE NEW PROCEDURES TO BE FULLY UNDERSTOOD BY THE FINANCE OFFICERS AND GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN CLARIFICATION, MR. CAMPBELL HAS REQUESTED AND WE HAVE AGREED TO EXTEND OUR TIME FRAME A SECOND TIME. GAO'S NEW POLICY WILL BE APPLIED IN FUTURE CASES INVOLVING DEBIT VOUCHERS DATED AFTER JUNE 1, 1986.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION.