DOD Financial Management: Actions Needed to Address Deficiencies in Controls over Army Active Duty Military Payroll

Abstract

Why GAO Did This Study. In March 2012, GAO reported on challenges that DOD and the Army face in achieving audit readiness with respect to the over $45 billion in reported fiscal year 2010 Army active duty military payroll disbursements. In performing that work, GAO identified indications of possible weaknesses in selected processes, systems, and controls relied on to reasonably assure the validity and accuracy of reported Army active duty military payroll that were beyond the scope of that audit. GAO subsequently completed work on those issues and is presenting the results in this report. GAO (1) assessed the design of key controls for payroll accuracy and (2) determined the extent to which the Army and DFAS-IN have monitoring controls to identify and address any systemic weaknesses. GAO compared selected Army and DFAS-IN processes, systems, and controls for assuring payroll accuracy to applicable internal control standards and to applicable provisions of law, regulations, and policies and procedures. GAO also interviewed officials and examined related data and information. What GAO Recommends. GAO made five recommendations to strengthen Army and DFAS monitoring and reporting controls over Army active duty military payroll accuracy. DOD partially concurred with all five recommendations, stating that it concurs fully with the goal of improving military pay but additional testing is needed to identify any cost-effective corrective actions. GAO continues to believe that its recommendations for corrective action are appropriate, as discussed more fully in the report.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA567847

Entities

People

  • Asif A. Khan
  • Donald D. Holzinger
  • Gayle L. Fischer
  • Heather L. Rasmussen
  • Katherine Lenane
  • Lauren S. Fassler
  • Meg Mills
  • Sheila D. Miller

Organizations

  • United States Government Accountability Office

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Duty
  • Army Personnel
  • Business Administration
  • Congress
  • Department Of Defense
  • Financial Management
  • Foreign Languages
  • Governments
  • Human Resources
  • Law
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Operations
  • Military Personnel
  • National Governments
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • United States Government

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.