(a) Upon request by the responsible HHS official, each Head Start agency or its delegate agency shall submit an accounting system certification, prepared by an independent auditor, stating that the accounting system or systems established by the Head Start agency, or its delegate, has appropriate internal controls for safeguarding assets, checking the accuracy and reliability of accounting data, and promoting operating efficiency.

(b) A Head Start agency shall not delegate any of its Head Start program responsibilities to a delegate agency prior to receiving a certification that the delegate agency's accounting system meets the requirements specified in paragraph (a) of this section.