By: Larry Walker Jr

The United States Government Accountability Office says major impediments are preventing GAO from rendering an opinion on the federal government’s financial statements, the federal government did not maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and compliance with significant laws and regulations due to numerous material weaknesses, and financial management system problems continue to hinder federal agency accountability. I’m just wondering whether the situation is improving as we trudge down Obama’s disastrous path.

My view is that it’s unwise to radically increase the size of any enterprise, which has an unsound and unreliable financial infrastructure. In my opinion the federal government is on an unsustainable path. I strongly question the federal governments ability to continue as a going concern. If the federal government were a publicly traded corporation, its CEO would be in prison. Just imagine the auditors of Bank of America, or AIG stating that they are unable to render an opinion because the entire financial structure is not accountable.

Here is what the GAO found in its latest July 8, 2009 report, followed by a link to the full report:

FISCAL YEAR 2008 U.S. GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

What GAO Found

For the second consecutive year, GAO rendered an unqualified opinion on the Statement of Social Insurance; however, three major impediments continued to prevent GAO from rendering an opinion on the federal government’s accrual basis consolidated financial statements: (1) serious financial management problems at the Department of Defense, (2) the federal government’s inability to adequately account for and reconcile intragovernmental activity and balances between federal agencies, and (3) the federal government’s ineffective process for preparing the consolidated financial statements. In addition, as of September 30, 2008, the federal government did not maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and compliance with significant laws and regulations due to numerous material weaknesses. Moreover, financial management system problems continue to hinder federal agency accountability.

The federal government still has a long way to go, but over the years, progress has been made in improving federal financial management. For example, audit results for many federal agencies have improved; federal financial system requirements have been developed; and accounting and reporting standards have continued to evolve to provide greater transparency and accountability over the federal government’s operations, financial condition, and fiscal outlook. In addition, the federal government issued a summary financial report which is intended to make the information in the Financial Report of the U.S. Government more understandable and accessible to a broader audience.

The federal government’s response to the financial markets crisis and economic downturn has created new federal accountability, financial reporting, and debt management challenges. Such challenges will require utmost attention to ensure (1) that sufficient internal controls and transparency are established and maintained for all market stabilization and economic recovery initiatives; (2) that all related financial transactions are reported on time, accurately, and completely; and (3) these initiatives are effectively and efficiently financed. moreover, while policymakers are currently understandably focused on efforts directed toward market stabilization and economic growth, once stability in financial markets and the economic downturn are addressed, attention will have to be turned with the same level of intensity to the serious longer-term challenges of addressing the federal government’s large and growing structural deficits and debt.

Finally, the federal government should consider the need for further revisions to the current federal financial reporting model to recognize its unique needs. A broad reconsideration of issues, such as the kind of information that may be relevant and useful for a sovereign nation, could lead to reporting enhancements that might help provide the Congress and the President with more useful financial information to deliberate and monitor strategies to address the nation’s long-term fiscal challenges.

http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09805t.pdf