Budget issues : key questions to consider when evaluating balances in federal accounts : report to the Chairman, Committee on the Budget, House of Representatives / Susan J. Irving.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Irving, Susan J. (Susan Jean), author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Budget process--United States.

Budget process.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (iii, 69 pages) : illustrations.

Other Title:

Budget Issues

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), [2013]

Summary:

Given the fiscal pressures facing the nation, examination of balances carried forward into future fiscal years carryover balances provides an opportunity to identify areas where the federal government can improve and maximize the use of resources. GAO was asked to review issues related to federal carryover balances. GAOs objectives were to 1 identify key questions for congressional committees, managers, and other reviewers to consider when evaluating carryover balances, including whether to reduce them, and 2 describe how answering these key questions provides insight into why carryover balances may exist in selected accounts. GAO reviewed carryover balances from fiscal years 2007 through 2012 in eight selected accounts from the Departments of Defense DOD, Health and Human Services HHS, Housing and Urban Development HUD, and Treasury. Account selection was based on several characteristics, including the average size of the balance, budget function, type of account, agency, and whether the account was composed of mandatory or discretionary funds. GAO is not making any recommendations. DOD, HHS, HUD, and Treasury generally agreed with our findings and provided technical comments that were incorporated as appropriate. HHS provided comments stating that conclusions drawn from the report may not apply across the board to all accounts.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.