Imperfect Assurance

"With Circular A-123 deadlines just weeks away, more than a few federal agencies are struggling to satisfy the Office of Management and Budget's version of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

There is little debate over the need for reliable financial reports - or for ensuring the integrity of the information on which they are based, which is A-123's intent.
The challenge is getting managers accustomed to policy, program and procurement rules to infuse what seem like accounting disciplines into their operating units. It's a cultural as much as a business challenge. And as usual, the issue hinges on whether federal workers have been given the training and manpower needed to get the job done. "