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News | Sept. 17, 2015

DLA Distribution Head Quarters hosts Audit Readiness Roadshow

By DLA Distribution Public Affairs DLA Distribution Public Affairs

“Victory is within reach!” This is the moto Simone Reba, deputy director of Defense Logistics Agency Finance drove home, at the Sept. 1 DLA Distribution Audit Readiness Roadshow.

With the Sept. 30 deadline approaching, Reba led a discussion with a room full of distribution employees. She highlighted the agency’s audit readiness accomplishments, which included assertions for areas like funds balance, the hire-to-retire cycle and inventory.

Audit ready means DLA can prove to auditors from an independent organization that the numbers reflected in our financial statements are reliable and free of any significant misstatements. To achieve this, DLA has taken a closer look at how daily procedures are documented and controlled. They then ensure good controls are in place that mitigate or minimize risks and ensure the numbers cannot be manipulated.

Just like an annual physical being a good indicator of personal health, an audit will determine the overall financial health of DLA. The efforts taken to become more audit ready have helped the agency make more informed decisions, stretch the budget, increase confidence of financial status and enhance the public’s trust.

“This took a village,” said Reba. “DLA Director Air Force Lt. Gen. Andy Busch is enthusiastic about the audit readiness process and impressed with the agency’s progress so far. He is committed to keeping it going.”

DLA Distribution’s deputy director, Twila C. Gonzales stressed the importance of “following the process.” She stated that Distribution is the custodian of a lot of inventory, but by following the standard operating procedures we will continue to show that DLA Distribution “has it together.”

“This has been a tremendous journey,” explained Gonzales. “It has taken all of us!”

The roadshow continued with the introduction of the Audit Readiness Panel, which included, Bridget Collins, Audit Readiness deputy program manager, Denise Parker, Audit Readiness Distribution site lead and Kris Bergstrasser, Team KPMG. The panel carefully explained the four phases of the audit cycle. They also took this opportunity to answer questions from the audience.

During the meeting, Reba presented Denise Parker with a letter of appreciation for the efforts put forth by the entire Distribution Audit Readiness team.

“I accept this on behalf of the entire DLA Distribution,” said Parker. “This belongs to everyone across every distribution center.”