Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC.gov): Your Official Single Audit Portal
Quick Summary
- Official site for Single Audits
- Login.gov account required
- Submit and search federal audits
- New GSA platform since Oct 2023
- Mandatory for federal fund recipients
- Robust security measures
The Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) is the official online portal where non-federal entities submit their Single Audit reporting packages to the U.S. government. While you may have heard of 'fadslip,' please know that the correct and official platform is the Federal Audit Clearinghouse, found at FAC.gov. This system ensures transparency and accountability in how federal funds are managed and spent by states, local governments, non-profits, universities, and Indian tribes. Since October 2023, the FAC has been operated by the General Services Administration (GSA) on a new, enhanced platform. This digital portal acts as a central repository, making audit information available to federal agencies and the public. Understanding this system is crucial for anyone involved in federal grant compliance and financial oversight. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the FAC, from getting started to utilizing its core functionalities and resolving common issues, all based on the latest information from the official site.
- 📋 Preparing for Your Federal Audit Clearinghouse Submission
- 📍 Accessing Your Federal Audit Reporting Portal
- ⭐ Key Functions of the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Platform
- ⚠️ Resolving Access and Submission Challenges
- 🔒 Ensuring Secure Data Handling on FAC.gov
- 🎧 Official Help Desk Contacts
- ❓ Answers to Your Top Federal Audit Clearinghouse Questions
Preparing for Your Federal Audit Clearinghouse Submission
- Possess a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) for your organization. This is essential for all submissions.
- Create and maintain an active account with Login.gov. This is the sole method for authenticating into the FAC system.
- Your organization must have expended $750,000 or more in federal awards during a fiscal year (for fiscal years starting before October 1, 2024). This threshold will increase to $1,000,000 or more for fiscal years starting on or after October 1, 2024, to necessitate a Single Audit.
- Have a completed Single Audit for your organization. The FAC is for submitting the results of this audit, not conducting the audit itself.
- Prepare your Data Collection Form (SF-SAC) and the complete Reporting Package. The reporting package must be merged into a single, unlocked, text-searchable PDF file under 30MB.
Accessing Your Federal Audit Reporting Portal
- Navigate to the official Federal Audit Clearinghouse website at https://www.fac.gov.
- Look for and click the 'Sign in' button, usually located in the top right corner of the homepage.
- You will be redirected to Login.gov. Use your existing Login.gov account credentials to sign in.
- If you do not have a Login.gov account, select the option to 'Create an account' and follow the prompts to set it up securely. Remember, you cannot use old Census FAC credentials on this new GSA system.
- Once authenticated through Login.gov, you will be granted access to your personalized user dashboard within the FAC system.
Key Functions of the Federal Audit Clearinghouse Platform
- Audit Submission Platform: Submit your Single Audit reporting packages, including the Data Collection Form (SF-SAC workbooks) and the auditor's report as a PDF. The digital portal simplifies the upload process for federal grant compliance.
- Comprehensive Audit Search: Utilize basic, advanced, or tribal audit search functions to find submitted audits from current and prior fiscal years. This feature supports public accountability and oversight.
- Data Download and API Access: Access and download audit data in CSV format or integrate directly using the Developer API for in-depth analysis and reporting.
- Resource Library: A dedicated section offers submission guides, SF-SAC instructions, glossaries, and compliance information to aid users through the entire audit process.
- User Access Management: Easily manage and update user roles, including Certifying Officials and Audit Editors, to ensure the right individuals have appropriate access to specific audit submissions.
- System Status and Updates: Stay informed about the latest news, policy changes, and any system performance updates directly from the FAC team, ensuring you have real-time information for online account management.
Resolving Access and Submission Challenges
⚠️ Unable to access the system with previous credentials
Cause: The Federal Audit Clearinghouse transitioned from the Census Bureau to the General Services Administration (GSA) in October 2023. Old Census FAC login credentials are no longer valid for the new fac.gov platform.
Solution: We know being locked out is stressful. The fastest fix is to create a new, secure account through Login.gov. If you already have a Login.gov account for other government services, use that one. All users, both auditees and auditors, must use Login.gov for authentication.
⚠️ Slow search performance or system errors during use
Cause: The new system, post-migration, handles a significantly increased volume of data. While improvements are ongoing, heavy usage or specific queries can sometimes lead to slower response times or temporary glitches.
Solution: We appreciate your patience during high-demand periods. Check the FAC System Status page on fac.gov for real-time updates on performance issues and resolutions. If problems persist or you encounter a persistent error message, gather details and contact the FAC Helpdesk for assistance.
⚠️ Previous audit submissions 'in progress' are missing
Cause: Submissions that were started but not completed on the old Census FAC system did not automatically transfer to the new fac.gov platform. This was a direct result of the system migration.
Solution: If your audit was in progress on the old Census system, you will need to re-initiate and complete it directly within the new fac.gov system. Plan accordingly to meet your submission deadlines.
⚠️ Audit submission flagged for corrections
Cause: The system performs automatic validation checks. Flags usually indicate inconsistencies, missing information, or mismatches (e.g., Unique Entity Identifier - UEI) between the data entered in webforms and the uploaded SF-SAC workbooks or the reporting package PDF.
Solution: Carefully review all flagged discrepancies. Pay close attention to the consistency of your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) across all documents and forms. Make the necessary corrections in your SF-SAC workbooks and reporting package as prompted, then resubmit for re-validation. The portal's precertification validation helps identify issues early.
Ensuring Secure Data Handling on FAC.gov
- 🔒 Always access the FAC via the official https://www.fac.gov website to ensure you are on a secure, government-operated domain.
- 🔒 Protect your Login.gov credentials. Use strong, unique passwords and enable multi-factor authentication for enhanced account security.
- 🔒 Regularly review user access for your organization's audit submissions. Ensure that only authorized individuals have editor or certifying official roles.
- 🔒 Be diligent when preparing your SF-SAC workbooks and reporting package to avoid data inconsistencies that could lead to validation issues.
- 🔒 Keep up-to-date with FAC updates and OMB announcements for any changes in policy or security protocols that might impact your compliance and data handling.
🎧 Official Support & Help Center
For assistance with website usage, audit submission, certification, or search functions, contact the FAC Helpdesk through the support resources on fac.gov. For all questions related to your Login.gov account, including password resets or updating contact information, please reach out directly to Login.gov Support. For technical audit advice, extensions, or indirect cost questions, your Cognizant Agency Contacts are the best resource.
Answers to Your Top Federal Audit Clearinghouse Questions
Q: What is the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC)?
The Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) is the official online system managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) where non-federal entities, such as state and local governments, non-profits, universities, and Indian tribes, submit their Single Audit reporting packages. It also serves as a public database for these audit reports.
Q: Who is required to submit an audit to the FAC?
Non-federal entities that expend $750,000 or more in federal awards during a fiscal year are required to submit a Single Audit to the FAC. This threshold increases to $1,000,000 for fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2024. For-profit entities are generally not required to submit to the FAC.
Q: Do I need a new account to use the FAC.gov system?
Yes, all users, including auditees and auditors, are required to create an account with Login.gov to access and use the fac.gov system. Credentials from the old Census Bureau FAC system are no longer valid.
Q: Is the Federal Audit Clearinghouse the same thing as a Single Audit?
No, they are distinct. A Single Audit is the actual comprehensive audit of an entity's financial statements and its compliance with federal program requirements. The Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) is simply the secure online platform where the results and reporting package from a completed Single Audit are submitted and then made publicly accessible.
Q: What is the deadline for submitting my audit to the FAC?
Audits must be submitted to the FAC within the earlier of two dates: either 30 calendar days after receiving the auditor's report, or nine months after the end of your organization's audit period. Missing this deadline can result in your entity being deemed 'high-risk.'
Q: Can my auditor assist me with the submission process on FAC.gov?
Absolutely. The fac.gov system is designed to facilitate collaboration between auditees and auditors. Auditors can actively support the submission by uploading the audit package and certifying the Single Audit report within the system.
Wrap Up
The Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC.gov) serves as a critical digital portal for federal grant compliance and transparency. By understanding its requirements, features, and how to navigate its systems, you can ensure timely and accurate submission of your Single Audit. The platform's transition to GSA and the integration with Login.gov represent a commitment to secure, efficient, and user-friendly online account management for all stakeholders involved in federal award oversight. Leveraging the available resources and adhering to best practices will help maintain your organization's good standing and promote sound financial stewardship.