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DOL Financial Systems and Operations
Modernization of the Department’s Core Accounting System
The OCFO continues to work with DOL agencies in modernizing the
Department’s core accounting system, DOLAR$. While DOLAR$ has been a
highly effective system over the past twelve years, it is now in need of
replacement. Pending OMB and Congressional funding approval, the overall
modernization effort will follow a phased implementation timeline over the next
three to four years.
During FY 2002, OCFO has continued enhancements to its financial data
warehouse (FDS). The OCFO developed FDS to enhance DOL fiscal operations at the
agency and program levels by improving the delivery of timely, accurate, useful
information to financial and program managers. FDS provides DOL agencies with
next-day reporting, a more intuitive user interface to financial data, and
drill-down capabilities allowing users to move from aggregated to transactional
data seamlessly.
Debt Management
The Debt Collection
Improvement Act of 1996 (DCIA) established the Department of the Treasury as
the central agency for collection of Federal debts over 180 days delinquent,
and DOL cross services all delinquent debts in accordance with this statute.
Once these debts are referred, the Department of the Treasury has several
collection tools at its disposal, including issuing demand letters, conducting
telephone follow-up, referring debts for administrative offset, performing
administrative wage garnishment, and referring debts to private collection
agencies. Since DOL does not operate loan or other commercial programs, debt
management accounts for a relatively small part of our financial management
activity. The majority of debts managed by DOL relate to the assessment of
fines and penalties in our enforcement programs. During FY 2002, the Department
referred 94 percent of all eligible delinquent debt to Treasury for collection.
This represents a 2 percent increase over FY 2001.
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Department-Wide Delinquent
Debt Data (in
thousands) |
| |
FY 2000 |
FY 2001 |
FY 2002 |
|
Delinquent Debt(1-180 days) |
$20,268 |
$21,261 |
$19,898 |
|
Delinquent Debt (181+ days) |
$61,792 |
$72,410 |
$67,847 |
|
Total Collections |
$118,360 |
$127,296 |
$127,581 |
|
New Receivables |
$141,076 |
$153,221 |
$155,845 |
|
Eligible to be Referred |
$63,815 |
$77,302 |
$72,108 |
|
Debts Referred to Treasury During FY 2001 |
$58,992 |
$70,917 |
$67,572 |
Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT)
DOL made
over 98 percent of its salary, awards, travel and miscellaneous payments
electronically in FY 2002. Electronic vendor payments increased by five percent
over the FY 2001 rate.
The Department continues to lag behind government averages due to the
low EFT participation and the heavy volume in ESA’s medical and benefits
programs. These FECA programs account for over 80 percent of DOL’s total
payment volume. Overall, the Department’s FY 2002 EFT performance of 39
percent represents an increase over the FY 2001 total.
|
DOL EFT Payments |
| |
| |
FY98 |
FY99 |
FY00 |
FY01 |
FY02 |
|
Administrative Vendors |
53% |
58% |
64% |
69% |
74% |
|
Travel & Miscellaneous |
83% |
98% |
99% |
99% |
99% |
|
Salary & Awards |
96% |
97% |
97% |
96% |
98% |
|
ESA Programs |
23% |
32% |
27% |
26% |
28% |
|
Total |
36% |
46% |
41% |
38% |
39% |
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Source: DOL DOLAR$ and Treasury FMS EFT reports. |
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