Both an Accountable Official and a Certifying Officer are:

Both an Accountable Official and a Certifying Officer are:

• A. Not liable
• B. Pecuniarily liable for all illegal, improper or incorrect payments
• C. Liable only for willful misconduct
• D. Liable only for major mistakes

Answer: (B)

Accountable Officials and Certifying Officers carry monetary responsibility for the disbursements they approve. When they certify a payment, they assert that the funds are legally available, properly authorized, and correct. If a payment ends up illegal, improper, or incorrect, the government can recover the amount from them—their pecuniary liability. This obligation isn’t limited to willful misconduct or only major mistakes; it applies to the broader spectrum of improper payments that can occur through their certification and approval processes.

Accountable Officials and Certifying Officers carry monetary responsibility for the disbursements they approve. When they certify a payment, they assert that the funds are legally available, properly authorized, and correct. If a payment ends up illegal, improper, or incorrect, the government can recover the amount from them—their pecuniary liability. This obligation isn’t limited to willful misconduct or only major mistakes; it applies to the broader spectrum of improper payments that can occur through their certification and approval processes.