Financial Management: Improper Payments Reported in Fiscal Year 2000 Financial Statements

Correspondence issued by the General Accounting Office with an abstract that begins "This report provides information on improper payments that federal agencies reported in their fiscal year 2000 financial statements. GAO found that the amount of improper payments reported in agency financial statements has remained consistent at about $20 billion for the past three years. Even though these amounts are substantial, agency-specific audits and studies indicate the improper payment problem is much more widespread than disclosed in agency financial statement reports. The President's Management Agenda for Fiscal Year 2002 has made the reduction of improper payments a priority. The Administration has taken steps to require federal agencies to identify erroneous payments and to discuss planned actions to better manage these payments.