ALEXANDRIA, Va., March 4, 2025 -- The Society of Defense Financial Management (SDFM) is taking a pivotal role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of clean audit opinions across the Department of Defense (DoD). Through its Audit Task Force, SDFM is spearheading efforts to create a comprehensive framework that will enable the Military Services, Defense Agencies, and the broader DoD to maintain auditability beyond the first clean opinion.
"A clean audit opinion isn't the finish line; it's the foundation for better decision-making..." – Rich Brady, CEO, SDFM
Achieving a clean audit is a critical milestone, but ensuring audit sustainability requires continuous refinement of internal controls, data accuracy, and financial reporting processes. The SDFM Audit Task Force is collaborating with key stakeholders across the defense financial management community to institutionalize best practices, strengthen financial oversight, and enhance workforce competencies to support auditability for years to come.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has underscored the strategic importance of achieving and sustaining a clean audit opinion, stating, "A clean audit isn't just an accounting requirement—it's about restoring trust, improving accountability, and ensuring every dollar supports our national defense priorities. We must institutionalize sound financial management practices to maintain audit readiness year after year."
SDFM CEO Rich Brady echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the value of audit integrity in both the public and private sectors. "A clean audit opinion isn't the finish line; it's the foundation for better decision-making, resource allocation, and operational efficiency. In the private sector, companies leverage audit findings to drive business improvements—our defense community must do the same. The SDFM Audit Task Force is committed to ensuring that once the DoD achieves a clean audit opinion, it has the tools and strategies in place to sustain it."
Chaired by Mr. David Clifton, a retired DoD senior executive with 40+ years of government service, the SDFM Audit Task Force is composed of senior financial management professionals, auditors, and policy experts dedicated to advancing financial stewardship in the defense sector. By developing innovative solutions and fostering cross-sector collaboration, the Task Force is helping to shape a culture of continuous improvement that aligns with the DoD's commitment to transparency and efficiency.
For more information on the SDFM Audit Task Force and its initiatives, please visit www.sdfm.org or contact Charles McEntee, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, at mcentee@sdfm.org.
About SDFM:
The Society of Defense Financial Management (SDFM) is a non-profit educational and professional organization for public and private sector individuals in the field of defense financial management, including comptrollership, accounting, auditing, budgeting, financial systems, and related disciplines. SDFM provides professional development opportunities, certification programs, and networking events to enhance the knowledge and skills of its members, drive financial transformation in the defense sector, and promote excellence in defense financial management.
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