Federal law, specifically under 31 U.S.C. § 3528, outlines the responsibilities and liabilities of certifying officers. Certifying officers are federal employees designated to certify vouchers that authorize payments by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. They must verify the legality, accuracy, and propriety of payments and supporting documents before certifying them. This includes confirming the correctness of information, the legality of payments, and that funds are appropriated properly. Certifying officers have personal liability for any illegal, improper, or incorrect payments they certify, meaning they may be required to reimburse the government for such payments. They are required to exercise due diligence and base their certifications on official records. However, if a certifying officer certifies a payment in good faith based on official records and cannot reasonably detect an error, relief from liability may be possible through entity-specific procedures. Federal law also mandates a clear separation of duties: a certifying officer cannot simultaneously serve as the authorizing (approving) official or the disbursing officer to maintain integrity in the payment process. Certifying officers must be U.S. citizens and federal employees. In summary, federal law holds certifying officers accountable for ensuring that government payments are legal, proper, and correct, and imposes strict personal liability if these duties are not properly performed.