NEW CUMBERLAND, Pa. –
Navy Rear Adm. Deborah Haven, director of the Defense Logistics Agency Audit Task Force visited DLA Distribution headquarters April 18 to emphasize how mission critical the audit efforts are to DLA in a town hall meeting themed “building connections.”
“This is all about the readiness cycle, time and resources and support to the warfighter,” said Haven. “All eyes are on DLA; this audit process is briefed regularly at the highest levels of our government.”
Haven briefed the packed auditorium on some of the history of the audit, where the process is today and where it is going.
Haven said that in 2010 Congress mandated that the Department of Defense have all of its financial statements validated and be audit ready by the end of fiscal year 2017. In 2017 through 2018, DLA received a disclaimer of opinion for its financial statements—meaning there were issue areas that had to be addressed.
“Approximately 75 percent of the issue areas are lack of internal controls, accounting procedures, oversight and lack of documentation,” said Haven. “DLA Distribution is critical because you hold the largest inventory.”
Haven emphasized that this is a process that is meant to make the organization better and that the audit team needs everyone’s support with timely responses to help achieve a clean audit opinion.
“It’s important for us to continue to progress,” said Ms. Denise Kanelos, DLA Distribution audit readiness site lead. “If there is property that is not in a ready for issue status when the warfighter needs it, that’s a problem. It would be no different than if you went to the bank for your money and the bank lost it.”
DLA Distribution Deputy Commander, Ms. Twila C. Gonzales, SES, took the opportunity to address the hundreds of employees in the auditorium to emphasize the importance they all play in the audit process.
“What you all do in some way, shape or form connects to the audit,” said Gonzales. “Everyone is a part of the audit. Auditing improves efficiency and helps support the warfighter and that’s what we are here to do.”