Accountability Report for Fiscal Year 1998

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Full Report -- 7.2 MB

Section 1 -- 1.7 MB

• Message from the Director
• Message from the Chief Financial Officer
• About the Federal Emergency Management Agency

Section 2 -- 2.9 MB

• Management Discussion and Analysis, Part I: Performance

Section 3 -- 459 KB

• Management Discussion and Analysis, Part II: Supplemental Information

Section 4 -- 2.2 MB

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements for Fiscal Year 1998
• Auditor’s Report on Financial Statements and Management’s Response
• Introduction to the Consolidated Financial Statements
• The Consolidated Financial Statements
• Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
• Supplemental Combining Financial Statements for the Directorates and Administrations

Message from the Director

As Director of FEMA, maintaining the public’s trust and providing stewardship of their tax dollars is a vital goal to me, to senior management, and to employees of this Agency. Therefore, I am pleased to issue FEMA’s first Accountability Report describing the Agency’s mission and goals, and demonstrating the way in which our financial performance is tied to the Agency’s broader objectives.

We are an organization dedicated to “serving our customers.” This is demonstrated by FEMA employees who display the highest standard of dedication, the willingness to put the customer first, to find new and innovative ways to solve old problems, and to work closely with old and new partners. These beliefs are the true keys to our success.

This comprehensive report articulates the significant progress FEMA has made in our program areas and demonstrates effectiveness, economies and efficiencies in the way we conduct business, while providing the highest quality service delivery to the American people. This Accountability Report signifies FEMA’s issuance of complete agency-wide financial statements for fiscal year 1998 and acknowledges that we are meeting the requirements of the Government Management Reform Act of 1994. FEMA has come a long way in improving financial management and accountability in the last several years.

FEMA’s Accountability Report should be useful to our customers, partners, and the public as it consolidates in one place an overview of the Agency’s activities and tells the world who we are and what we do. The report also provides a discussion and analysis of key performance standards and measures, the Agency financial statements, and other relevant supplementary information.

The future will be demanding for FEMA, given the potential increase in number and severity of disasters. I have great confidence in FEMA’s strong management team and our dedicated, talented and caring employees who have demonstrated continued commitment to exceeding customer satisfaction. With a commitment to the American people, to customer service, and operational excellence, FEMA will be well positioned to address the challenges and opportunities of the future.

James L. Witt

Message from the Chief Financial Officer

I am proud to present the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s fiscal year 1998 Accountability Report. The Accountability Report is issued under a pilot program authorized by the Government Management Reform Act of 1994. The independent audit conducted of the financial statements included in this report has resulted in an unqualified opinion. The audit included, for the first time, consolidated reporting of all the agency’s activities, the on-schedule realization of a goal established three years ago. For each of the intervening years, FEMA also received an unqualified opinion on the statements prepared.

As Chief Financial Officer for FEMA, my vision for financial management has as its centerpiece providing program managers, and those involved in overseeing the agency’s activities, accurate and timely financial information. It is my responsibility to ensure that FEMA is fully accountable for how we spend taxpayers dollars. We will do this by maintaining accountability and integrity in all of our financial and accounting processes.

FEMA will continue to prepare combined financial statements for all organization components within FEMA to comply with the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 and the Government Management Reform Act of 1994. The implementation of performance measures consistent with the expectations of the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, and the reengineering of the way FEMA conducts business by streamlining the procurement process, in compliance with the Federal Acquisition and Streamlining Act of 1994, are initiatives towards achieving full accountability.

The Accountability Report provides useful information for those interested in FEMA’s audited financial statements and its organiza-tional elements (Response and Recovery Directorate; Mitigation Directorate; Preparedness,Training and Exercises Directorate; Federal Insurance Administration; and the US Fire Administration). Through sound financial management, FEMA will continue to improve its operations and program performance to better serve those in need.

Gary D. Johnson