What is the role of audit and compliance in CPPA activities?

• A. Ensure accuracy, detect errors, and ensure policy and regulatory compliance.
• B. Conduct financial audits only for external agencies.
• C. Maintain secrecy by withholding information from HR.
• D. Approve all pay changes without review.

Answer: (A)

Audit and compliance in CPPA activities focuses on making sure payroll and personnel data are accurate and processed in line with policy and regulatory requirements. This means reviewing how pay is calculated, timekeeping, deductions, leave, benefits, and tax handling; ensuring internal controls are strong and duties are properly separated; and verifying adherence to DoD/agency policies and applicable laws. Through routine audits and ongoing monitoring, it helps uncover errors, identify control gaps, prevent fraud, and drive corrective actions. It also involves keeping clear audit trails and reporting findings to leadership and regulators, as well as coordinating with internal and external auditors. This role is broader than just external financial audits, and it requires collaboration with HR and other stakeholders to maintain transparency and data integrity. Withholding information from HR would undermine controls, and approving pay changes without review would skip essential checks.