Reports and Testimony: December 1995

This is a compilation of the Reports and Testimony released in December, 1995. Highlights include: (1) Financial Management--The Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 is forcing reforms in federal financial management: use of modern accounting and information systems, institution of better performance measures and design of results-oriented reports on the financial condition of federal agencies. Despite progress, however, implementation of these reforms remains a challenge (page 11); (2) Unmanned Ariel Vehicles: Despite objections from Navy fleet commanders, the Defense Department continues to develop a variant of the Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle for use on amphibious assault ships. The fleet commanders to do not want the Hunter because of limited shipboard space and its questionable performance record, page 18); and (3) Postal Service--Although the Postal Service has been collecting data on satisfaction of business customers since 1993 as part of an effort to improve service, fear that it might help competitors has keep the Service from distributing these data internally or externally. GAO believes that use of these data with appropriate safeguards could help assess and improve customer service, (page 11).