Inspectors General Overview, Independence and Effectiveness

There are over 60 offices of inspectors general in executive and legislative branch agencies, as well as special inspectors general, who are responsible for audits and investigations related to particular programs or expenditures. Inspectors General draw their authorities and duties from the Inspector General Act of 1978. This book addresses the duties and functions of statutory Inspectors General (IGs); the numbers of each type of IG; the differences between IGs appointed by the President and those appointed by the agency head; considerations for whether certain IGs should be appointed by the President as opposed to the agency head; and, the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008.