[Comments on Potential Conflicts of Interest When Federal Agencies Contract With Accounting Firms]

GAO commented on the extent of control the Department of Labor must exercise over potential conflicts of interest when contracting with accounting firms. GAO found that Labor should review each auditing and technical assistance services procurement for organizational conflicts and impairments to independence, rather than preclude firms performing either auditing or technical assistance services from providing the other type of service to the same organization for 3 years.