Report of Independent Auditors - Cover Letter

Memorandum header information

NOV 8, 2004
MEMORANDUM FOR:		Jon W. Dudas Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
FROM:		Johnnie E. Frazier
SUBJECT:		USPTO's FY 2004 Financial Statements Audit Report No FSD-16700-5-0001

I am pleased to provide you with the attached audit report, which presents an unqualified opinion on the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's FY2004 financial statements. The audit results indicate that the USPTO has established an internal control structure that facilitates the preparation of reliable financial and performance information. We commend the USPTO for the noteworthy accomplishment of attaining an unqualified opinion for the 12th consecutive year, and for meeting the fiscal year 2004 accelerated reporting deadline.

My office contracted with the independent public accounting firm KPMG LLP (KPMG) to perform the audit of the USPTO's financial statements as of and for the year ended September 30, 2004. The contract required that the audit be done in accordance with U.S. generally accepted government auditing standards and OMB Bulletin 01-02, Audit Requirements for Federal Financial Statements.

In its audit of the USPTO, KPMG found that:

• the financial statements were fairly presented, in all material respects and in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles;
• there were no material weaknesses in internal control, as defined on page 2 of the audit report;
• there were no instances in which the USPTO's financial manaagement systems did not comply with the requirements of the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996, and no reportable noncompliance with other laws and regulations tested.

My office defined the audit's scope and oversaw its performance and delivery. We reviewed KPMG's report and related documentation, and made inquiries of its representatives. Our review disclosed no instances where KPMG did not comply, in all material respects, with U.S. generally accepted government auditing standards. However, our review, as differentiated from an audit in accordance with U.S. generally accepted government auditing standards, was not intended to enable us to express, and we do not express, an opinion on the USPTO's financial statements, conclusions about the effectiveness of internal control, or conclusions on compliance with laws and regulations. KPMG is responsible for the attached audit report dated November 2, 2004, and the conclusions expressed in the report.

If you wish to discuss the contents of this report, please call me on (202) 482-4661, or Edward Blansitt, Deputy Inspector General, on (202) 482-3516. We appreciate the cooperation and courtesies the USPTO extended to KPMG and my staff during the audit.

Attachment

cc:

Jo-Anne Barnard Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Otto J. Wolff Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration Department of Commerce