Agency Snapshot: 
Department of Justice

The Department of Justice serves to enforce the law and defend the interests of the United States according to the law, to ensure public safety against threats foreign and domestic, to provide federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime, to seek just punishment for those guilty of unlawful behavior, and to ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. The Department’s $42.8 billion in budgetary resources ensures the operation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Prisons, Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives amongst many other organizations. Like other agencies, it is committed to pursuing this important mission while managing its finances effectively, which includes ensuring its payments are accurate, using only property it needs, and accounting for its finances properly.

Audit Opinions

An audit opinion provides the public with an independent, third-party assessment as to whether the agency’s financial information is presented fairly. There are four types of audit opinions: Unqualified (clean), Qualified, Disclaimer, and Adverse. An unqualified audit opinion means that the auditor believes the financial information presented by the agency is fairly presented – which is our goal for all agencies. Qualified, Disclaimer or Adverse opinions indicate that financial reporting issues have been identified or the auditor could not render an opinion. The metric here shows audit opinions received by the agency.

Financial Material Weaknesses Identified in Audit Reports

In addition to rendering an overall opinion, auditors can cite major problems, or material weaknesses, in their reports that accompany the audited statements. Although material weaknesses vary, the more material weaknesses an agency has, the more likely the agency could have a significant misstatement in their financial information. Agencies are working hard to eliminate any material weaknesses in an effort to improve financial management. The metric here shows the number of material weaknesses in the last five fiscal years for the agency. More information is available in this report.

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