The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers became the largest federal agency, in terms of property, to receive an unqualified opinion – or clean bill of financial health – from the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoDIG) for their civil works financial statements during fiscal 2008. The decision also makes the Corps the first major DoD agency to receive such a rating.

This score is the equivalent of an audit A+, according to Wes Miller, the Corps’ Chief Financial Officer.

“This audit verifies that we are an organization with people with honor and integrity: we do what we say, and say what we do,” said Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, the chief of engineers. “It stands as proof positive that we have been good stewards of the taxpayer's money and are able to account for every dollar entrusted to us by the American public.”

The audit, which was conducted by DoDIG and their independent public accounting firm, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, rendered an unqualified opinion on Nov. 17, saying that the Corps’ financial statements are fairly stated in all material respects.

Auditors conducted the review between April and November, and examined all financial transactions that occurred during fiscal 2008, equaling $40 billion in total assets.

The Corps’ civil works mission is to provide quality, responsive engineering services to the nation during peace and war. The civil works programs include water resource development activities such as flood control, navigation, recreation, and infrastructure, plus environmental stewardship and emergency response.