Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT true about a Certifying Officer?
What is an Authorizing Official's status regarding travel documents in DTS?
They are Certifying Officers when approving travel documents that contain payments, and Departmental Accountable Officials at all other times.
Receipts are mandatory for all lodging and expenses of $75 or more and most lodging expenses.
True
What is the purpose of the DTS Pre-Audit Trip screen?
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DTS eliminates the requirement for obligations and disbursements.
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DTS is a leave-approving system.
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When does a DTS authorization need to be certified?
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What is the primary purpose of certifying a DTS voucher or local voucher?
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A Certifying Officer is presumed negligent when there is a fiscal irregularity.
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What is a Certifying Officer's maximum level of pecuniary liability with regards to erroneous payments?
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To whom would you forward a request for an advance decision when faced with a questionable payment?
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The Certifying Officer shows that the investigation failed to prove negligence to clear their pecuniary liability.
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What is the best way for a Certifying Officer to prevent pecuniary liability?
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Non-DTS Entry Agent may be appointed as a Departmental Accountable Official.
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The DoD General Counsel grants the Departmental Accountable Official's formal request for relief to clear liability.
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Which forms should be used to appoint a Certifying Officer or Departmental Accountable Official?
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What is meant by saying a proposed payment is 'legal'?
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Which of the following is the best definition of pecuniary liability?
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Which of the following IS a defense against pecuniary liability?
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Both EFT and split disbursement are usually mandatory.
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Who is responsible for convening an investigation when an erroneous payment is discovered?
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What does Federal law say about Certifying Officers?
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What does Federal law say about Departmental Accountable Officials?
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Departmental Accountable Officials bear no presumption of negligence.
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What is meant by saying a proposed payment is 'proper'?
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You may approve the authorization after the traveler corrects the error if they included a disallowed expense.
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You may request additional supporting documentation when faced with a questionable payment.
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Study Notes
Certifying Officer Responsibilities
- Certifying Officers provide information to Departmental Accountable Officials.
- They are responsible for certifying travel documents involving payments and serve as Departmental Accountable Officials at all other times.
Travel Document Certification
- Receipts are mandatory for lodging and expenses of $75 or more, with most lodging expenses also requiring receipts.
- A DTS authorization needs to be certified if it includes an advance or partial payment.
- Certification of DTS vouchers permits payment of claimed expenses.
Leave and DTS System
- DTS does not approve leave; therefore, reflecting leave in the system is unnecessary.
Negligence and Liability
- Certifying Officers are presumed negligent in the event of a fiscal irregularity.
- The maximum pecuniary liability of a Certifying Officer for erroneous payments is the total amount of the payment, minus any recovered sums from the traveler.
- A Certifying Officer can minimize liability by certifying only valid travel documents.
Pecuniary Liability Defense
- Established procedures followed by a Certifying Officer may serve as a defense against pecuniary liability.
Appointment and Clearing of Liability
- DD Form 577 or e577 is used to appoint Certifying Officers or Departmental Accountable Officials.
- Certifying Officers cannot clear liability by simply showing an investigation failed to prove negligence.
- Departmental Accountable Officials bear no presumption of negligence and are only liable for erroneous payment amounts traceable to their actions.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
- Electronic Funds Transfer and split disbursement processes are generally mandatory.
Investigations
- The commander or director of the Certifying Officer is responsible for initiating investigations upon discovering erroneous payments.
Federal Law Regulations
- Federal law mandates that DoD must use Certifying Officers, who hold full pecuniary liability.
- DoD may utilize Departmental Accountable Officials, who hold limited pecuniary liability as they are not presumed negligent.
Compliance with Payments
- A proposed payment is deemed "legal" if it aligns with Federal law.
- A proposed payment is "proper" if there are sufficient funds, supporting documents are present, and goods or services have been received.
Handling Questions on Payments
- Additional supporting documentation can be requested from anyone involved in the travel process when addressing questionable payments.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the responsibilities of Certifying Officers and the certification process of travel documents. This quiz covers important procedures, liability aspects, and the relationship between the DTS system and leave approval. Ensure you understand the best practices for fiscal accountability.
