Agency Snapshot: 
Department of Energy

The Department of Energy serves to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States, promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that mission and ensure the environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex. The Department’s $67.7 billion in budgetary resources are used to promote energy security, nuclear security, scientific discovery and innovation, and environmental responsibility. 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 Found 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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