Improving Financial Management and Accountability in the Federal Government Issue Area Plan

GAO provided information on its Financial Audits and Management issue area plan for fiscal years 1996 through 1998.

GAO plans to: (1) assess the financial condition and performance of federal operations to assist Congress in making budgetary decisions, reviewing the results and costs of government activities, and providing oversight of the executive branch's efforts to ensure adequate accountability as stewards over the resources of the national government; (2) achieve quality financial management in the federal government as prescribed in the Chief Financial Officers Act, including strong leadership, effective financial management practices, and integrated accounting and information systems that produce reliable, complete, and useful data; and (3) identify opportunities for budgetary savings and better management practices to correct high-risk federal operations vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement.