Financial Management: Audit of the Centennial of Flight Commission for FY 2001
Highlights
The Centennial of Flight Commission was created in November to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in 1903. The Commission is to provide recommendations and advice to the President, Congress, and federal agencies on the most effective ways to encourage and promote national and international participation and sponsorships in commemoration of the centennial of powered flight. All 156 of the Commission's recorded obligations and expenditures during fiscal year 2001 were supported by documentation that was approved by management. The Commission recorded no donations, user fees, or in-kind donations for fiscal year 2001. The Commission's financial records for fiscal year 2001 contained some minor errors that went unnoticed due to a lack of complete records being maintained by the Commission, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration which provide administrative support to the Commission.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected Sort descending | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Centennial of Flight Commission | The Executive Director of the Centennial of Flight Commission should maintain a complete record or log of Commission financial transactions, including all appropriations, donations, user fees, in-kind donations, obligations, and expenditures. |
Closed – Implemented
The Commission agrees with this recommendation, and has stated in its agency response comments on June 24, 2002, that it will periodically reconcile Commission costs recorded on its behalf with NASA and FAA records. Based upon its fiscal year 2002 audit that identified no errors on the Commission's part, GAO determined that the periodic reconciliations were effective, and the Commission had fully implemented this recommendation as of September 30, 2002.
|
| Centennial of Flight Commission | The Executive Director of the Centennial of Flight Commission should correctly record travel expenses that result in a net understatement $957. |
Closed – Implemented
The Commission agreed with the recommendation, and on June 6, 2002, correctly recorded travel expenses of $957.
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| Centennial of Flight Commission | The Executive Director of the Centennial Flight Commission should direct the Federal Aviation Administration to obtain a refund of $700 from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the overpayment on the interagency agreement. |
Closed – Implemented
The Commission agreed with this recommendation, and on May 29, 2002, received a refund of $700 from NASA for an overpayment on an interagency agreement.
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