Fiscal Year 2008 Financial Report of the United States Government

The Secretary of the Treasury, in coordination with the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), is required annually to submit financial statements for the U.S. government to the President and the Congress. GAO is required to audit these statements.

The Federal Government's Financial Health: A Citizen’s Guide

This Citizen’s Guide (Guide) highlights important information contained in the 2008 Financial Report of the United States Government. Gene L. Dodaro, the Acting Comptroller General of the United States, along with Jim Nussle, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and Henry M. Paulson, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury, believe that the information discussed in this guide is important to all Americans.

The Federal Government's Financial Health: A Citizen's Guide to the Financial Report of the U.S. Government (PDF, 11 pages)

Complete Financial Report

The FY 2008 Financial Report of the United States Government (Financial Report) published by the Department of the Treasury includes GAO's report on the accompanying U.S. government's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the associated reports on internal control and compliance with significant laws and regulations.

Complete FY 2008 Financial Report (PDF, 194 pages)

By Chapter:

• A Message from the Secretary of the Treasury (PDF, 2 pages)
• Table of Contents (PDF, 4 pages)
• Management's Discussion and Analysis (PDF, 24 pages)
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Statement (PDF, 4 pages)
• Financial Statements (PDF, 14 pages)
• Notes to the Financial Statements (PDF, 74 pages)
• Supplemental Information (PDF, 40 pages)
• Stewardship Information (PDF, 4 pages)
• Appendix (PDF, 4 pages)
• Government Accountability Office (GAO) Auditor's Report (PDF, 24 pages)

Related GAO Publications

Understanding the Primary Components of the Annual Financial Report of the United States Government

GAO-05-958SP  September 1, 2005

Summary (HTML)   Full Report (PDF, 28 Pages)

Understanding Similarities and Differences Between Accrual and Cash Deficits

GAO-07-117SP,  December 1, 2006

Summary (HTML)   Full Report (PDF, 42 pages)

Understanding Similarities and Differences between Accrual and Cash Deficits: Update for Fiscal Year 2007 Note: updates selected information in Understanding Similarities and Differences between Accrual and Cash Deficits (GAO-07-117SP) and should be read in conjunction with that document.

GAO-08-410SP  January 31, 2008

Summary (HTML)   Full Report (PDF, 4 pages)   Accessible Text

See prior years’ Financial Reports and related publications.