Mission Ready: Accelerating Audit Success

The path to a clean audit opinion in the Department of Defense

The DoD Audit Imperative

A sense of urgency is mounting for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to achieve a clean audit opinion by 2028 as mandated by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. While obtaining a clean audit is the goal, it’s really a by-product of effective financial and operational processes and controls.

Achieving and sustaining clean audit opinions

Given the size of the DoD, it’s clear that finance transformation is not a simple endeavor.

This begs the question: 
Is it even possible for DoD agencies to make the transformation necessary to obtain and sustain clean audit opinions by FY27 or FY28?

Our approach

KPMG has a blueprint proven to deliver clean audit opinions in the DoD, and methodologies to make our approach scalable to any organization.

The KPMG approach is guided by the five core principles: 

1

We don’t let the perfect become the enemy of the good. We prioritize pragmatism over perfection; our goal is to design a practical, effective and reliable solution on time and on budget without overengineering.

2

We start with a recognition of reality instead of utopian controls. By leveraging specific federal financial accounting standards (SFFAS 48 and 50), organizations can build auditable baselines and focus on resolving current issues without being bogged down by past errors.

3

We take advantage of every tool at our disposal. Our technology accelerators streamline data migration across systems, consolidating data into a single view of the truth, paving the way for AI/ML, and enhanced visibility.

4

We’re not afraid to be honest – or ruthless. KPMG can help your organization identify and stop underperforming legacy technology or process investments.

5

We know multitasking is required – and we’re optimized for it. Focusing on multiple priorities can enhance your organizations’ operational readiness and fiscal responsibility, ultimately supporting the warfighter and strengthening national security.

Dive into our thinking:

Breaking the cycle of failed audits at the DoD

A bold, pragmatic, and tenacious approach is required to achieve clean audit opinions by FY28. Learn how KPMG can help.

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Meet our team

Image of Joe Nave
Joe Nave
Principal, Federal Finance Transformation Leader, KPMG US
Image of Hakeem A Khwaja
Hakeem A Khwaja
Partner, Federal Advisory, KPMG US

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