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Title 39 — Postal ServiceRelease 119-73not60

§2008 Audit and Expenditures

Title 39 › Part III— MODERNIZATION AND FISCAL ADMINISTRATION › Chapter 20— FINANCE › § 2008

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Comptroller General must audit the Postal Service’s accounts and operations and send reports to Congress as often as he decides. The Postal Service must keep an internal audit system for its finances. It may also hire certified public accountants for extra audits and reports in addition to those audits. The Postal Service may spend money and enter into contracts, agreements, and settlements, including final settlement of claims and lawsuits, as it thinks necessary. Beginning with the fiscal year after June 30, 1971, the Postal Service must get an independent certified public accounting firm to certify, at least once each year, the accuracy of any financial statements used to set postal rates.

Full Legal Text

Title 39, §2008

Postal Service — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The accounts and operations of the Postal Service shall be audited by the Comptroller General and reports thereon made to the Congress to the extent and at such times as he may determine.
(b)The Postal Service shall maintain an adequate internal audit of the financial transactions of the Postal Service.
(c)Subject only to the provisions of this chapter, the Postal Service is authorized to make such expenditures and to enter into such contracts, agreements, and arrangements, upon such terms and conditions and in such manner as it deems necessary, including the final settlement of all claims and litigation by or against the Postal Service.
(d)Nothing in this section shall be construed as denying to the Postal Service the power to obtain audits of the accounts of the Postal Service and reports concerning its financial condition and operations by certified public accounting firms. Such audits and reports shall be in addition to those required by this section.
(e)At least once each year beginning with the fiscal year commencing after June 30, 1971, the Postal Service shall obtain a certification from an independent, certified public accounting firm of the accuracy of any financial statements of the Postal Service used in determining and establishing postal rates.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

39 U.S.C. § 2008

Title 39 — Postal Service

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60