Accession Number:

AD1166459

Title:

DOD Business Systems Modernization: Continued Investment in Key Accounting Systems Needs to be Justified

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Congressional Report]

Corporate Author:

United States General Accounting Office

Personal Author(s):

• Smith, Darby
• Wilson, Jennifer
• Alff, Beatrice
• Cruz, Joseph
• DelVecchio, Francine
• Diamond, Lester
• Kelly, Jason
• Martin, J. C.
• Smith, Stacey
• Wagner, Robert

Report Date:

2003-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

46

Abstract:

The Department of Defenses DOD long-standing financial management and business systems modernization problems result in a lack of information needed to make sound decisions, hinder the efficiency of operations, and leave the department vulnerable to fraud, waste, and abuse. Such problems led us in 1995 to put financial management and business systems modernization at DOD on our list of high-risk areas in the federal government, a designation that continues today. GAO was asked to 1 provide information on the number and cost of DODs current business systems and 2 determine if DOD is effectively managing and overseeing selected accounting system investments. This report recommends that the Secretary of Defense limit future investments by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service DFAS in three ongoing system projects we reviewed until each has been adequately justified. The report also recommends that all other DFAS information technology projects be evaluated to ensure they are being implemented at acceptable costs and within reasonable time frames. DOD concurred with our recommendations and described efforts to address them.

Descriptors:

• information systems
• national security
• test and evaluation
• economic analysis
• organizational structure
• financial management
• money
• life cycle management
• procurement
• accounting
• business administration
• contracts
• cost estimates
• department of defense
• electronic commerce
• governments
• international relations

Subject Categories:

• Military Forces and Organizations
• Economics and Cost Analysis
• Administration and Management

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]