Measuring performance is essential to managing programs effectively. USDA works continuously to improve the quality of our measures to make them more meaningful and outcome-oriented.

USDA programs touch almost every American every day. USDA's Strategic Plan for fiscal years (FY) 2014-2018 lays out key policy priorities and the strategies to achieve them. Over the next 4 years, USDA will use this plan to manage its resources in a way that delivers the best outcomes for everyone.

The Agency Financial Report (AFR) is a report on the agency end-of-fiscal-year financial position that includes, but is not limited to, financial statements, notes to the financial statements, and a report of the independent auditors. The AFR also includes a performance summary.

Details USDA's progress toward achieving the strategic goals and objectives described in the agency's strategic plan and annual performance plan, including progress on agency priority goals.

Provides the most relevant performance and financial information in a brief, user-friendly format. This summary is designed to increase the accountability of agency heads and program managers. It will make financial and performance information more transparent and accessible to Congress, the public, and other key constituencies.

Describes the annual performance targets which USDA intends to work toward within the fiscal year and the funding included in the President's Budget that is necessary to accomplish the Department's goals and objectives as defined in the current Strategic Plan.

USDA Federal Program Inventory - Fiscal Year 2013 (PDF, 240KB) - The Federal Program Inventory describes USDA programs and indicates which of the Department's Strategic Goals and Objectives each program supports. The inventory indentifies programs by mission area and USDA agency and consists of a total of 59 programs.

Audit of USDA's Annual Financial Statements (PDF, 3MB) - Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act of 1990 requires, among other things, the annual preparation and audit of organization wide financial statements of the 24 major executive departments and agencies.

Inspector General Audits, Investigative Reports, and Hotline to Report Waste, Fraud, and Abuse - The Office of Inspector General is an independent office within USDA that performs audits, evaluations, and investigations of USDA and its contractors, to promote economy and efficiency, and to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse.

GAO High Risk Series - Since 1990, GAO has identified and reported on government programs and operations at "high risk." GAO has made hundreds of recommendations to executive branch agencies and the Congress aimed at improving these programs. GAO provides its high-risk reports at the start of each new Congress to help in setting the congressional oversight agenda. USDA currently has one program on the list that was added in 2007 - "Transforming Federal Oversight of Food Safety."

GAO Major Management Challenges and Program Risks - In January 2003, GAO issued its Performance and Accountability Series: Major Management Challenges and Program Risks. This series, first issued in 1999 and updated in 2001, consisted of separate reports on cabinet departments, major independent agencies and the U.S. Postal Service. The reports in that series also identified any areas that had been designated as high-risk within those agencies. USDA has addressed the management challenges and program risks GAO identified in 2003.