The audit of Mr. Sessions' travel by the accounting office in 1990 resulted in only mild criticism.

Eventually, though no audits or penalties resulted, the inattention required extra costs of $15,000 to $20,000 to straighten things out.

These improper audits, in some cases, resulting in inflated bills.

An audit could result in paying a higher employment tax.

The time and money spent to comply can erode the bottom line, even if the audit does not result in additional tax payments or penalties.

An audit will not result in criminal charges or jail time.

A poor audit will result in increased premiums or may even prevent you from getting insurance cover.

The audits, he said, will likely result in a lower overall membership number than the recent claim of 16.5 million.

Some people fear that an audit will result in a big penalty or a jail sentence, but such outcomes are unlikely unless fraud is involved.

In each case, the audits resulted in recommendations on how to use federal money more efficiently.