Which of the following forms should be used to appoint a Certifying Officer or Departmental Accountable Official?

The appropriate form used to appoint a Certifying Officer or Departmental Accountable Official is the DD Form 577 or its electronic counterpart, e577. This form is specifically designed for this purpose and aligns with the requirements set forth by the Department of Defense for managing financial responsibilities and accounts. By using this form, agencies can ensure that there is a formal and recorded appointment of individuals who will be responsible for certifying that obligations can be incurred against appropriated funds. This process is vital for maintaining accountability and compliance within financial operations.

The other forms listed do not pertain to the appointment of Certifying Officers or Departmental Accountable Officials. For instance, the SF 86 (used for security clearance investigations) and Form 1040 (an individual income tax return) serve entirely different functions within government processes. Similarly, DA Form 22 (related to personnel actions in the Army) does not apply to the certification of financial obligations. Thus, the choice of DD Form 577 or e577 is correct due to its specific relevance to the duties and responsibilities of certifying financial obligations within a government agency.