After closing their books on Nov. 15, 22 of 24 federal agencies covered by
the Chief Financial Officers Act submitted audited financial statements for
fiscal 2004 within the Office of Management and Budget’s accelerated
timeframe, and while 17 received “unqualified opinions,” many “were
found to have weaknesses in management safeguards to protect against
fraud and error,” according to a statement issued by the House
Subcommittee on Government Efficiency and Financial Management.
It said several agencies failed to comply with management laws such
as the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act and the Federal
Managers Financial Integrity Act — and that the Department of Health
and Human Services has yet to submit its report.
Independent auditors were unable to assert the reliability of the
information submitted by the Departments of Departments of Defense,
Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, and Justice, as
well as NASA — all of which received “disclaimed” opinions, according to
the statement.
It said however that the Small Business Administration received a
“qualified” opinion after last year’s disclaimed opinion.
