Summary: The Counsel to the President requested a review of the White House accounts from July 1, 1969 to August 9, 1974.
The review indicated that there was a need to improve accounting controls and procedures to help insure that receipts and disbursements were properly handled and that effective accounting control was maintained over all funds, property, and other assets. Many disbursements were not supported by documentation; funds were transferred without legal authorization from the Central Intelligence Agency to the White House Office; equipment was lost or missing; improvements were needed in controls and procedures for preparing payrolls and keeping time and attendance records; official reception and representation expenses were exceeded in fiscal year 1971; and financial reports did not report reimbursements and other income. In discussing the findings with the White House Administrative Officer, GAO was told that the White House Office planned to redesign its accounting system and to make more use of automatic data processing. GAO found that some of the problems identified in the audit might have been corrected sooner if the White House Office had an internal audit staff.
