Farm Credit Administration 

Office of Inspector General 

Strategic Plan 

Fiscal Years 2018-2019 
   

   

   

   

   

   

Table of Contents 

A MESSAGE FROM THE INSPECTOR GENERAL ........................................................................................................................ 1 

OIG’S STRATEGIC PLAN AT A GLANCE..................................................................................................................................... 2 

MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES .............................................................................................................................................. 3 

GOALS, ACTIONS, AND PERFORMANCE.................................................................................................................................. 4 

GOAL ONE: DETECT AND DETER FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE........................................................................................... 4 

GOAL TWO: INVESTIGATE AND PROTECT AGAINST WRONGDOING .................................................................................. 5 

GOAL THREE: PROMOTE QUALITY AND VALUE .................................................................................................................. 6 

GOAL FOUR: ADVANCE FCA’S FUTURE ............................................................................................................................... 6 

KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES.......................................................................................................................................... 7 

KEY FACTORS AFFECTING THE STRATEGIC OUTLOOK............................................................................................................. 8 

DETECTING, PROTECTING AND ADVANCING FCA’S FUTURE .................................................................................................. 9 

OIG – WHO WE ARE .............................................................................................................................................................. 10 

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT............................................................................................................................................ 11 
1 | P a g e

A MESSAGE FROM THE INSPECTOR GENERAL 

I am very pleased to present the Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2018‐2019 of the Office of Inspector 

General (OIG), Farm Credit Administration (FCA or Agency). This document outlines the mission, 

vision, goals, and actions of our office in carrying out our responsibilities under the Inspector

General Act, as amended. 

As the newly‐appointed Inspector General (IG) of FCA beginning in August of this year, our office 

will continue to focus on its independent, oversight role of:  

 Detecting and protecting the Agency from fraud, waste, and abuse; 

 Finding more efficient and effective pathways to FCA’s programs, processes, and 

operations; 

 Communicating problems and recommendations to FCA senior leadership and Congress; 

and 

 Participating as key contributors to the IG community. 

Our office also will focus on greater outreach with all Agency staff to clearly explain our role – how 

and why we go about conducting our work, what to expect when being audited or investigated, 

and delivering news from the greater IG community. Our aim will be to continue emphasizing our 

office as a safe zone for reporting wrongdoing and as a tool for advancing excellence in Agency 

operations. 

Since 1989, the OIG at FCA has successfully assisted the Agency in fulfilling its oversight mission to 

ensure a safe and sound Farm Credit System and the future of agriculture and rural America. I am

honored to join the excellent staff at OIG and to become part of a larger community that protects, 

strengthens, and ensures the value of government programs. 

Wendy R. Laguarda 

Inspector General 

September 27, 2017 
Our Mission

Our Vision 

Our Values 

Our Goals 

Our Actions 

       

          

                 

      

                        

   

    

               

            

   

                 

OIG’S STRATEGIC PLAN AT A GLANCE 

The OIG’s independent eyes, ears, and voice serve to protect, inform, and 

advance Agency programs and operations. 

Harvesting Change 

Relevant, Respectful, Trustworthy, and Objective 

1. Detect and Deter Fraud, Waste, and Abuse 

2.  Investigate and Protect Against Wrongdoing 

3.  Promote Quality and Value 

4.  Advance FCA’s Future 

GOAL 1  GOAL 2  GOAL 3  GOAL 4 

Perform risk‐based Guard Confidentiality  Create benchmarks for  Recruit, retain, and   

audits, inspections, and         improved Agency empower a diverse

evaluations             decision making workforce

Reinforce the OIG as a safe   Produce timely, clear, focused,  Ensure the OIG & FCA  Promote leadership,

zone for reporting fraud, and factual reports of are models for good   vision, and expertise

waste, and abuse   investigation     government

Listen to and understand Provide outreach on how  to   Produce OIG products   Leverage technology 

the needs, challenges,   prevent fraud, waste, and that are timely, relevant,  

and interests of our   abuse       reasonable, and helpful

stakeholders 

2 | P a g e
 
 

MISSION, VISION, AND VALUES 

As the independent, safety and soundness regulator of the Farm Credit System (FCS or System), FCA helps to ensure the

future of American farmers and ranchers and rural America. As established by the Inspector General Act, as amended (IG 

Act), the OIG is an independent and objective organization that oversees the programs and operations of FCA.

MISSION. The OIG’s independent eyes, ears, and voice serve to protect, inform, and advance 

Agency programs and operations.  

The OIG pursues its mission by: 

 Detecting and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse;  

 Promoting efficiency, economy, and effectiveness in FCA programs and operations;  

 Analyzing Agency performance through risk‐based performance audits, inspections, and evaluations, and 

providing recommendations designed to strengthen Agency effectiveness and efficiency;  

 Investigating wrongdoing and recommending ways to prevent future wrongdoing;  

 Reviewing legislation and regulations relating to Agency programs and operations to assess their impact on the 

Agency’s economy and efficiency;  

 Fulfilling our reporting responsibilities by providing the FCA Board and Congress with objective, accurate, and 

comprehensive information for better‐informed decision making; and  

 Engaging in outreach both within the Agency and with the wider IG community, the latter by taking a leadership 

role in the committees of the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE).

VISION. Harvesting Change. 

The OIG pursues its vision through:  

 Knowledge – by using our knowledge of FCA to focus and understand the Agency’s significant, risk‐based issues;  

 Teamwork – by combining our staff’s skills with CIGIE’s shared services and the expertise of contractors, when 

needed;  

 Technology – by enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of our work with the practical application of

technology; and

 Stakeholder Focus – by measuring our success by how much we have helped FCA become more successful. 

VALUES. OIG strives to be Relevant, Respectful, Trustworthy, and Objective.  

The OIG pursues its values by: 

 Producing high quality products that are timely, relevant, reasonable, and helpful;  

 Listening to and understanding the needs, challenges, and interests of our stakeholders;  

 Continuously improving our education, understanding, and expertise;  

 Serving as a model for good government; 

 Guarding confidentiality; and  

 Being honest, reliable, and impartial in all that we say and do. 

3 | P a g e
   

     

   

    

  

       

GOALS, ACTIONS, AND PERFORMANCE 

The OIG strives to fulfill its oversight statutory responsibilities through its goals and actions. Accompanying each action 

are illustrative strategies and qualitative and quantitative performance measures to reach and measure our goals. 

GOAL 1 GOAL 2 GOAL 3 GOAL 4

Perform risk‐based 

audits, inspections, and 

evaluations

Guard Confidentiality

Create benchmarks for

improved Agency 

decision making

Recruit, retain, and 

empower a diverse 

workforce

Reinforce the OIG as a   

safe zone for reporting 

fraud, waste, and abuse

Produce timely, clear, 

focused, and factual  

reports of investigation

Ensure the OIG and FCA  

are models for good 

government

Promote leadership, 

vision, and expertise

Listen to and understand 

the needs, challenges, 

and interests of our 

stakeholders

Provide outreach on how 

to prevent fraud, waste, 

and abuse 

Produce OIG products 

that are timely, relevant, 

reasonable, and helpful

Leverage technology

GOAL ONE: DETECT AND DETER FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE

Critical to the OIG’s mission is detecting and deterring fraud, waste, and abuse. We will employ a multi‐faceted approach 

of detection, deterrence, and prevention. 

Action: Perform risk‐based audits, inspections, and evaluations

Performance: The OIG will conduct a risk assessment of emerging issues to detect and deter fraud, waste, and 

abuse. We will regularly communicate with FCA leadership and management to develop our audit plan and to 

determine how best to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Agency processes, programs and operations. 

We will perform all our audits, inspections, and evaluations in a timely, accurate, comprehensive, and helpful 

manner. We will strive to be a problem‐solver and consultant when performing our oversight work. Key focus 

areas include: Agency spending, use of contractors, internal controls, and the training and retention of FCA’s 

staff. 

Action: Reinforce the OIG as a safe zone for reporting fraud, waste, and abuse 

Performance: OIG will reinforce the office as a safe zone for reporting fraud, waste, and abuse by vigilantly

safeguarding information and confidentiality. We will share useful, applicable information and best practices 

that we learn through CIGIE with the Agency. We will always remain respectful, reasonable, trustworthy, and 

4 | P a g e
 
   

   

   

         

  

     

helpful even as we guard the independence of our role. We will provide guidance to Agency staff on detecting

and preventing fraud.

Action: Listen to and understand the needs, challenges, and interests of our stakeholders

Performance: The OIG will keep open the lines of communication with all our stakeholders, including the 

Agency, Congress, the IG community, and the public. We will be active listeners and will keep abreast of FCA 

functions and responsibilities to better understand Agency risks, priorities, and concerns. We will regularly 

report to the FCA Board and Congress and remain responsive to their requests for information and concerns. We 

will actively participate in CIGIE as a means of contributing to the IG community, sharing ideas on ways to best 

fulfill our mission, and receiving continuing education and training.  

GOAL TWO: INVESTIGATE AND PROTECT AGAINST WRONGDOING

The OIG will conduct timely, relevant, and high quality investigations. Our investigative reports will fairly and accurately

report results and make recommendations, where appropriate, to prevent and deter future misconduct, fraud, waste, or 

abuse.

Action: Guard confidentiality 

Performance: The OIG will protect the confidentiality and rights of employees as fully as possible. We will

conduct our investigations with respect and due professional care. We will protect employee confidentiality 

throughout the investigative process, including the interviewing, evidence gathering, and reporting stages. OIG 

will maintain and protect information obtained during investigations and through the OIG Hotline in a manner 

consistent with law and policy. We will provide the appropriate warnings and notify employees of their rights 

and responsibilities in all interviews. As a general practice, the OIG will allow employees to obtain legal 

representation in non‐custodial interviews on a discretionary basis. The OIG will provide all subjects or witnesses 

who provide a signed sworn statement with an opportunity to review the statement to ensure its accuracy and 

fairness. 

Action: Produce timely, clear, focused, and factual reports of investigation 

Performance: The OIG will ensure that reports of investigation are impartial, concise, timely, and focused on 

issues of alleged wrongdoing. OIG reports will be supported by documentation in the investigative case file and

include relevant mitigating information. We will support all factual assertions in a report of investigation with 

cites to corresponding evidence. We will provide reports of investigations to appropriate FCA leadership and 

management that may include recommendations to correct and prevent further wrongdoing.

Action: Provide outreach on how to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse

Performance: The OIG will continue to educate and train on how to detect, report, and prevent fraudulent 

activity. OIG staff also will maintain and enhance its competencies and professional development in the areas of 

fraud, waste, and abuse. OIG will partner with the CIGIE community for sharing of best practices on detecting, 

reporting, and resolving wrongdoing.

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GOAL THREE: PROMOTE QUALITY AND VALUE

As the safety and soundness regulator of the Farm Credit System, FCA ensures the well‐being and future of agricultural 

producers and rural communities. OIG is committed to promoting FCA’s quality of oversight and maximizing the value of 

funds invested in such oversight.

Action: Create benchmarks for improved Agency decision making

Performance: The OIG will undertake evaluations to compare our spending, including our use of contractors, to 

the other federal financial regulators and to agencies of similar size. We intend for these benchmarking studies 

to allow the FCA leadership and management to make more informed decisions about the use of Agency funds. 

Key focus areas include: benchmarking Agency spending and staff training and retention.

Action: Ensure the OIG and FCA are models for good government 

Performance: The OIG and FCA must be models for good government by fulfilling our roles with integrity, 

knowledge, trust, and confidence. We will strive for the highest ethical standards. We will have appropriate 

internal controls for all aspects of our operations that are updated as needed. We will be responsive to concerns 

and requests from Congress and members of the public. We will use our funds prudently and carefully. We will 

strive for a diverse workforce that treats everyone with respect.

Action: Produce OIG products that are timely, relevant, reasonable, and helpful

Performance: The OIG will use a risk‐based approach in determining what initiatives to undertake. We will also 

solicit FCA leadership for initiatives they would like the OIG to consider. The OIG will strive for a balanced

approach in our undertakings, taking into consideration the needs and viewpoints of our stakeholders. We will 

regard much of our work as a problem‐solving exercise where all interested parties have a chance to participate 

in reaching the most optimal solution. All OIG initiatives should be time sensitive and will have set time 

schedules that the OIG will strive to meet, with the understanding that more complex undertakings will require 

more time. All written products will be in plain language, using the active voice whenever possible. To this end, 

plain language training will be made available to OIG staff. 

GOAL FOUR: ADVANCE FCA’S FUTURE

The OIG continuously strives to advance excellence and innovation in our own organization and operations. 

Action: Recruit, retain, and empower a diverse workforce

Performance: The OIG achieves its mission through its workforce. To identify, understand, and address the 

challenges facing FCA, we will continue to invest in our workforce by recruiting and retaining talented 

employees. We will foster a work environment that enhances productivity, innovation, excellence, and

employee satisfaction. We will cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. We will strive for a diverse 

workforce whenever hiring opportunities arise. Looking ahead: The OIG will assess how to best organize the 

office based on the skills and experience of each team member, providing opportunities for career advancement 

and the desire for a diverse workforce.

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Action: Promote leadership, vision, and expertise
 

Performance: All OIG staff are encouraged to seek training and leadership opportunities both within and outside 

of OIG for their career development. OIG staff members work both independently and in teams to enhance their

knowledge and expertise. The OIG approaches its mission by anticipating future risks. We strive to have a 

transformative influence on the Agency by seeking sound and innovative solutions. 

Action: Leverage technology

Performance: The OIG leverages data analytics and technology to inform our decisions about where to best 

direct our resources. In this way, we maximize the return on our investments. OIG staff keeps abreast of 

information technology (IT) developments and continually seeks ways to improve our use of IT products for 

more effective and efficient operations. We will meet quarterly with our IT provider to assess the IT needs of our 

office. 

KEY PERFORMANCE MEASURES 

The OIG uses a variety of qualitative and quantitative performance measures to monitor, manage, and report on our

progress toward our goals. Performance measures include:

 Budget cost savings  

 Completion time of OIG work assignments 

 Accepted audit, inspection, and evaluation recommendations

 Activity on the OIG Hotline

 Interaction with Congress

 Communication with the FCA Board and management

 Aligning audit planning with FCA’s top management and performance challenges  

 Outreach efforts  

 Participation in CIGIE 

 Training taken

 Diversity of OIG staff when hiring opportunities arise 

7 | P a g e
 
       

KEY FACTORS AFFECTING THE 

STRATEGIC OUTLOOK 

THE FARM CREDIT SYSTEM ENVIRONMENT 

The environment in which System institutions exist is continually changing. Evolving legislation affecting the System,

such as the Farm Bill and legislation affecting the System’s status as a Government Sponsored Enterprise, impacts the 

way FCA regulates. The agricultural economy and trade and immigration laws have a direct effect on farmers and 

ranchers which, in turn, affect the health and operations of the System. Accordingly, the OIG will continue to review 

FCA’s oversight role to ensure that it keeps the System safe and sound as it navigates through challenging and ever‐

changing conditions.  

THE FCA ENVIRONMENT 

Congressional priorities and requests may affect OIG’s goals and resource allocation. Changes on the FCA Board bring

change to Agency priorities, personnel, and organization. And, as the System continues to become more complex and 

data driven, the Agency’s oversight of the System must evolve.  The OIG, in turn, must stay abreast of FCA Board 

goals and direction and the growth in complex data that FCA collects and analyzes. We will remain vigilant over 

Agency performance and internal controls. 

BUDGET CHALLENGES 

When FCA faces budget pressures, so does the OIG. As a model for effective and efficient government, the OIG must 

continue to use an efficient and prudent mix of its core competencies and external resources to fulfill its mission. 

8 | P a g e
 
      

DETECTING, PROTECTING AND ADVANCING 

FCA’S FUTURE 

In pursuit of our goals, we set actions and performances to detect, protect, and advance FCA’s future. These actions and 

performances flow from our core values of being relevant, respectful, trustworthy, and objective. We also use a variety

of performance measures to monitor, manage, and report on the progress toward our goals. 

WE ADVANCE OUR GOALS

Detect and Deter 

Fraud, Waste, and 

Abuse

Investigate and 

Protect Against 

Wrongdoing

Promote Quality 

and Value

Advance FCA's 

Future

THROUGH OUR VALUES

Relevant Respectful Trustworthy Objective

AND ACTIONS AND PERFORMANCE 

Relevant

• Perform risk‐based audits,    

inspections, and 

evaluations

• Create benchmarks to 

improve Agency decision‐

making 

• Produce OIG products that 

are timely, relevant, 

reasonable, and helpful

Respectful

• Listen to, communicate 

with, and understand the 

needs, challenges, and 

interests of stakeholders

• Foster a diverse and 

collegial work environment

• Promote leadership, vision, 

and expertise

Trustworthy

• Guard confidentiality

• Reinforce the OIG as a safe 

zone for reporting fraud, 

waste, and abuse

• Strive for the highest 

standards of ethical 

conduct

Objective

• Approach our work in an 

unbiased and balanced 

manner

• Explain and educate about 

the OIG

• Be honest, reliable, and 

impartial in all that we say 

and do

TO ACHIEVE RESULTS 

Agency Programs Operate Effectively and Efficiently

• FCA accepts and implements OIG recommendations; 

• OIG detects and recommends ways to address wrongdoing; 

• FCA and OIG reduce costs wherever possible.

We Promote Value and Safety

• FCA is getting value for its investments; 

• OIG protects Agency funds from fraud and waste; 

• OIG protects FCA staff from abusive practices.

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OIG – WHO WE ARE 

OIG provides independent and objective oversight that promotes economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in FCA 

programs and operations. The OIG exercises its oversight activities in accordance with the IG Act and professional 

standards and requirements established by the Government Accountability Office, the Department of Justice, and the IG 

community. We execute our mission through our audits, inspections, evaluations, investigations, legislative reviews, and 

outreach. 

Audit, Inspection, and Evaluation Services

Through its three auditors, the OIG conducts audits, inspections, and evaluations to provide FCA, Congress, and the

public with timely, useful, and reliable information on significant issues. Audits, inspections, and evaluations are the 

primary vehicles through which the OIG develops recommendations to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness

in Agency programs and prevent waste and mismanagement.  

Investigation Services 

Investigations encompass all OIG activities designed to detect or prevent fraud and abuse in Agency programs. When 

appropriate, the OIG actively coordinates with the Department of Justice and other Federal, State, and local law 

enforcement authorities. The OIG also manages a Hotline to enable FCA employees and the public to easily report 

wrongdoing. 

Outreach Services 

Outreach by the OIG includes providing the Agency and the public with IG educational and explanatory material, 

reaching out and reporting to Congress, participating in the IG community, and ensuring the public’s awareness of the

OIG through its public website. A key outreach program is the OIG’s ongoing, quarterly survey of FCS institutions 

regarding the quality and consistency of the Agency’s examination function and examiners’ performance. The Agency 

uses these survey results to obtain performance information related to the quality of the examiners and the 

examination function. The OIG’s outreach also includes a new quarterly publication – The dIG: Harvesting Change –

informing FCA employees about the OIG, including its mission and operations. The OIG conducts training for FCA 

employees, and is in the final planning stage of developing fraud awareness training for all FCA employees.  

Management of OIG

The IG oversees the activities of the OIG and sets the vision, direction, priorities, and budget for the office. The IG serves

as the spokesperson for the OIG and as the liaison with FCA leadership and management, Congress, and other 

stakeholders. The IG is responsible for fully informing the FCA Board and the Congress about fraud and other serious 

problems in Agency programs, including management’s progress in carrying out corrective actions. In collaboration with 

all OIG staff, the IG engages in strategic planning. Additionally, the OIG plans, conducts, and participates in various 

projects with the larger IG community.  

The IG is supported by a counsel and a management analyst. The counsel provides independent legal advice, analysis of

proposed legislation and regulations, and legal sufficiency reviews. The counsel also represents and defends the OIG in 

all legal issues and conducts investigations. The management analyst helps to manage the budget, IT planning,

procurement, training, human resources, reporting duties, and all other administrative duties in the office. The 

management analyst also will conduct investigations beginning in the second half of FY 2018. 

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WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT... 

Our budget?

The OIG’s Budget Allocations by Products and Services presents our resource requirements and planned activities for 

fiscal years 2018 and 2019.  

Our plans for future work?

The OIG’s Audit Plan presents the audits/inspections/evaluations that OIG is hoping to undertake over fiscal years 2018 

and 2019. Throughout the year, OIG responds to emerging issues and makes any necessary changes to the audit plan. 

What we are semiannually reporting to Congress?

The OIG’s Semiannual Report to Congress communicates the impact of our audit, inspection, evaluation, investigation, 

and outreach efforts during the previous 6‐month period. 

How to report fraud, waste, or abuse?

The OIG Hotline accepts tips and complaints from all sources about fraud, waste or abuse in FCA programs and 

operations. 

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FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
 

Report Fraud, Waste, Abuse, Mismanagement 

Phone:  Toll Free (800) 437‐7322; (703) 883‐4316 

Fax:  (703) 883‐4059 

E‐mail:  fca‐ig‐hotline@rcn.com

Mail:  Farm Credit Administration
 

Office of Inspector General
 

1501 Farm Credit Drive 

McLean, VA  22102