U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 and 2004






















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U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 and 2004



TABLE OF CONTENTS











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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

U.S. Office of Government Ethics
Washington, D.C.

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) as of September 30, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of net cost, and changes in net position and of financing and the combined statement of budgetary resources for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of OGE's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States; and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Bulletin 01-02, Audit Requirements for Federal Financial Statements. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated and combined statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of OGE as of September 30, 2005 and 2004, and the results of its net costs of operations, changes in its net position, budgetary resources and financing for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

In accordance with Government Auditing Standards, we have also issued a report dated October 28, 2005 on our consideration of OGE's internal control over financial reporting and a report dated October 28, 2005 on its compliance with laws and regulations. These reports are an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and should be read in conjunction with this report in considering the results of our audit.

Brown & Company Signature
Largo, Maryland
October 28, 2005







LARGO
9200 BASIL COURT, SUITE 400
LARGO, MD  20774
(240) 492-1400 · FAX:  (301) 636-6013
mail@brownco-cpas.com

1

RICHMOND
100 WEST FRANKLIN STREET, SUITE 102
RICHMOND, VA  23220
(804) 648-2017 · FAX:  (804) 648-2018
tdbrowncocpas@aol.com

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INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER
FINANCIAL REPORTING

U.S. Office of Government Ethics
Washington, D.C.

We have audited the financial statements of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) as of and for the year ended September 30, 2005 and have issued our report thereon dated October 28, 2005. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.

In planning and performing our audit, we considered OGE's internal control over financial reporting by obtaining an understanding of OGE's internal control, determined whether internal controls had been placed in operation, assessed control risk, and performed tests of controls in order to determine our auditing procedures for the purpose of expressing our opinion on the financial statements. The objective of our audit was not to provide assurance on internal control. Consequently, we do not provide an opinion on internal control.

Our consideration of the internal control over financial reporting would not necessarily disclose all matters in the internal control over financial reporting that might be reportable conditions. Under standards issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, reportable conditions are matters coming to our attention relating to significant deficiencies in the design or operation of the internal control that, in our judgment, could adversely affect OGE's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial data consistent with the assertions by management in the financial statements. Material weaknesses are reportable conditions in which the design or operation of one or more of the internal control components does not reduce to a relatively low level the risk that misstatements in amounts that would be material in relation to the financial statements being audited may occur and not be detected within a timely period by employees in the normal course of performing their assigned functions. Because of inherent limitations in internal controls, misstatements, losses, or non-compliance may nevertheless occur and not be detected. However, we noted no matters involving the internal control and its operation that we considered to be material weaknesses as defined above.

This report is intended solely for the information and use of the management of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, OMB, and Congress, and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties.

Brown & Company Signature
Largo, Maryland
October 28, 2005







LARGO
9200 BASIL COURT, SUITE 400
LARGO, MD  20774
(240) 492-1400 · FAX:  (301) 636-6013
mail@brownco-cpas.com

2

RICHMOND
100 WEST FRANKLIN STREET, SUITE 102
RICHMOND, VA  23220
(804) 648-2017 · FAX:  (804) 648-2018
tdbrowncocpas@aol.com

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS AND REGULATIONS

U.S. Office of Government Ethics
Washington, D.C.

We have audited the financial statements of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) as of and for the year ended September 30, 2005, and have issued our report thereon dated October 28, 2005. We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, and the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing Standards, issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.

The management of OGE is responsible for complying with laws and regulations applicable to OGE. As part of obtaining reasonable assurance about whether OGE's financial statements are free of material misstatement, we performed tests of its compliance with certain provisions of laws and regulations, noncompliance with which could have a direct and material effect on the determination of financial statement amounts.

Providing an opinion on compliance with certain provisions of laws and regulations was not an objective of our audit, and, accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. However, we noted no noncompliance with laws and regulations, which could have a direct and material effect on the determination of financial statement amounts.

This report is intended solely for the information and use of the management of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, OMB, and Congress, and is not intended to be and should not be used by anyone other than these specified parties.

Brown & Company Signature

Largo, Maryland
October 28, 2005







LARGO
9200 BASIL COURT, SUITE 400
LARGO, MD  20774
(240) 492-1400 · FAX:  (301) 636-6013
mail@brownco-cpas.com

3

RICHMOND
100 WEST FRANKLIN STREET, SUITE 102
RICHMOND, VA  23220
(804) 648-2017 · FAX:  (804) 648-2018
tdbrowncocpas@aol.com

U. S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004
(In Dollars)


______2005______ ______2004______
ASSETS
   Intragovernmental:
         Fund Balance With Treasury (Note 2) $         3,296,128 $          3,320,001
         Account Receivable - 4,400
         Advances and Prepayments - 7,289
   Total Intragovernmental 3,296,128 3,332,230
         Account Receivable 4,539 147
Total Assets $         3,300,667 $    3,332,377
LIABILITIES
   Intragovernmental Liabilities:
          Other (Note 4) $           116,236 $               139,527
   Total Intragovernmental Liabilities 116,236 139,527
          Accounts Payable (Note 4) 10,248 684
         Other (Note 4) 1,746,517 1,160,170
Total Liabilities 1,873,001 1,300,381
      
Contingencies (Note 5) - -
NET POSITION
         Unexpended Appropriations $         2,101,830 $         2,707,911
         Cumulative Results of Operations (674,164) (675,915)
Total Net Position $         1,427,666 $         2,031,996
Total Liabilities and Net Position $         3,300,667 $         3,332,377








The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

4

U. S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS
CONOLIDATED STATEMENT OF NET COST
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004
(In Dollars)



______2005______ ______2004______
PROGRAM COSTS
         Intragovernmental Gross Costs $         3,576,933 $         3,226,283
         Less: Intragovernmental Earned Revenue             (277,830) (249,950)
         Intragovernmental Net Costs $         3,299,103 $         2,976,333
     
         Gross Costs With the Public            9,156,947 8,464,497
         Net Costs With the Public $         9,156,947 $         8,464,497
                Total Net Cost $       12,456,050 $       11,440,830
     
Net Cost Of Operations $       12,456,050 $       11,440,830





The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

5

U. S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET POSITION
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004

(In Dollars)



______________2005______________ ______________2004______________
Cumulative
Results
Of Operations
Unexpended
Appropriations
Cumulative
Results
Of Operations
Unexpended
Appropriations
Beginning Balances $       (675,915) $     2,707,911  $      (651,386) $      2,687,395
Beginning Balances, as Adjusted         $      (675,915)        $      2,707,911 $      (651,386)        $      2,687,395
Budgetary Financing Sources
      Appropriations Received 11,238,000 10,738,000
      Other Adjustments (recissions, etc) (283,059) (195,792)
      Appropriations Used

11,561,022 (11,561,022) 10,521,692 (10,521,692)
Other Financing Sources
      Imputed Financing from Costs Absorbed by Others 896,779 894,609
Total Financing Sources $    12,457,801 $       (606,081) $    11,416,301        $           20,516
Net Cost of Operations 12,456,050 11,440,830
Ending Balances        $       (674,164)        $      2,101,830             $      (675,915)        $      2,707,911

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

6

 

U. S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS
COMBINED STATEMENT OF BUDGETARY RESOURCES
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004
(In Dollars)




BUDGETARY RESOURCES

Budget Authority
      Appropriations $      11,238,000 $      10,738,000
Unobligated Balance
      Beginning of Period           1,386,155           1,265,254
Spending Authority from Offsetting Collections
      Earned
            Collected              281,330             247,150
            Received from Federal Sources                  (4,400)                 2,800
Subtotal $      12,901,085 $      12,253,204
 
Recoveries of Prior-Year Obligations
      Actual              726,029              719,113
Permanently Not Available
      Cancellations of Expired and No-Year Accounts              (193,155)              (132,438)
      Pursuant to Public Law                 (89,904)                 (63,354)
TOTAL BUDGETARY RESOURCES $      13,344,055 $      12,776,525
 
STATUS OF BUDGETARY RESOURCES

Obligations Incurred:
      Direct $      11,535,798 $     11,139,920
      Reimbursable 276,930 250,450
      Subtotal 11,812,728 11,390,370
Unobligated Balance:
      Available 281,628 277,103
Unobligated Balance Not Available 1,249,699 1,109,052

TOTAL STATUS OF BUDGETARY RESOURCES

$      13,344,055
$      12,776,525
 
RELATIONSHIP OF OBLIGATIONS TO OUTLAYS
Obligated Balance, Net, Beginning of Period $        1,933,846 $        1,844,509
Obligated Balance, Net, End of Period
     Accounts Receivable - (4,400)
     Undelivered Orders 570,503 1,313,927
     Accounts Payable 1,194,298 624,319
Outlays:
     Disbursements $      11,260,145 $      10,579,119
     Collections (281,330) (247,150)
     Subtotal     $      10,978,815 $      10,331,969
Net Outlays $      10,978,815

$      10,331,969

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

7

 

U. S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCING
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004
(In Dollars)


______2005_____ ______2004______
Resources Used to Finance Activities
Budgetary Resources Obligated
      Obligations Incurred $      11,812,728 $       11,390,370
      Less: Spending Authority from Offsetting Collections and Recoveries (1,002,959) (969,063)
      Obligations Net of Offsetting Collections and Recoveries $      10,809,769 $      10,421,307
Other Resources
      Imputed Financing from Costs Absorbed by Others 896,779 894,609
      Net Other Resources Used to Finance Activities 896,779 894,609
Total Resources Used to Finance Activities $      11,706,548 $     11,315,916
Resources Used to Finance Items not Part of the Net Cost of Operations
Change in Budgetary Resources Obligated for Goods, Services and
Benefits Ordered But Not Yet Provided
$           751,253 $        100,385
Resources That Fund Expenses Recognized in Prior Periods - (12,786)
Total Resources Used to Finance Items Not Part of the Net Cost of Operations 751,253 (87,599)
Total Resources Used to Finance the Net Cost of Operations $      12,457,801 $      11,403,515
Components of the Net Cost of Operations That will not Require or Generate Resources in the Current Period
Components Requiring or Generating Resources in Future Periods
      Increase in Annual Leave Liability 4,311 37,315
      Other (6,062) -
      Total Components of Net Cost of Operations that will not Require or
      Generate Resources in the Current Period
(1,751) 37,315
Total Components of Net Cost of Operations that will not Require or Generate Resources (1,751) 37,315
Net Cost of Operations $      12,456,050 $      11,440,830

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

8

 

U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A.       Basis of Presentation

The financial statements have been prepared to report the financial position, net cost of operations, changes in net position, status and availability of budgetary resources, and the reconciliation between proprietary and budgetary accounts of Office of Government Ethics (OGE). The statements are a requirement of the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, the Government Management Reform Act of 1994, the Accountability of Tax Dollars Act of 2002 and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-136, Financial Reporting Requirement. They have been prepared from, and are fully supported by, the books and records of OGE in accordance with the hierarchy of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, standards approved by the principals of the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB), OMB Circular A-136, Financial Reporting Requirement and OGE accounting policies which are summarized in this note. These statements, with the exception of the Statement of Budgetary Resources, are different from financial management reports, which are also prepared pursuant to OMB directives that are used to monitor and control OGE's use of budgetary resources.

The statements consist of the Balance Sheet, Statement of Net Cost, Statement of Changes in Net Position, Statement of Budgetary Resources, Statement of Financing, and the Statement of Custodial Activity. In accordance with OMB Circular A-136, the financial statements and associated notes are presented on a comparative basis. Unless specified otherwise, all dollar amounts are presented in dollars.

B.         Reporting Entity

The Office of Government Ethics (OGE), a small agency within the executive branch, was established by the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. In partnership with executive branch agencies and departments, OGE fosters high ethical standards for employees and strengthens the public's confidence that the Government's business is conducted with impartiality and integrity.

C.         Budgets and Budgetary Accounting

OGE receives all funding through Congressional appropriation from the budget of the United States. Annual appropriations are used, within statutory limits, to incur obligations for specified purposes. OGE also has reimbursable authority to conduct an Annual Ethics Conference. Budgetary resources are recorded when funds on deposit with the Department of Treasury are made available to OGE through a warrant(s) for expenditures and liabilities.




9

 

U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

D.         Basis of Accounting

Transactions are recorded on both an accrual accounting basis and a budgetary basis. Under the accrual method, revenues are recognized when earned, and expenses are recognized when a liability is incurred, without regard to receipt or payment of cash. Budgetary accounting facilitates compliance with legal requirements on the use of federal funds.

E.       Revenues & Other Financing Sources

Congress enacts annual and multi-year appropriations to be used, within statutory limits, for operating and capital expenditures. Additional amounts are obtained from service fees and reimbursements from other government entities and the public.

Appropriations are recognized as a financing source when expended. Revenues from service fees associated with reimbursable agreements are recognized concurrently with the recognition of accrued expenditures for performing the services.

We recognize as an imputed financing source the amount of accrued pension and post-retirement benefit expenses for current employees paid on our behalf by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

F.          Taxes

OGE, as a Federal entity, is not subject to Federal, State, or local income taxes, and, accordingly, no provision for income taxes has been recorded in the accompanying financial statements.

G.         Fund Balance with Treasury

The U.S. Treasury processes cash receipts and disbursements. Funds held at the Treasury are available to pay agency liabilities. OGE does not maintain cash in commercial bank accounts or foreign currency balances.

 

10

 

U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

H.     Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consists of amounts owed to OGE by other Federal agencies and the public. Amounts due from Federal agencies are considered fully collectible. Accounts receivable from the public include reimbursements from employees. An allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable from the public is established when either (1) based upon a review of outstanding accounts and the failure of all collection efforts, management determines that collection is unlikely to occur considering the debtor's ability to pay, or (2) an account for which no allowance has been established is submitted to the Department of the Treasury for collection, which takes place when it becomes 180 days delinquent. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, accounts receivable with the public was $4,539 and $147, respectively.

I.       Property, Plant and Equipment, Net

OGE's property, plant and equipment is recorded at original acquisition cost and is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. Major alterations and renovations are capitalized, while maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred. OGE's capitalization threshold is $50,000 for individual purchases and $500,000 for bulk purchases. Applicable standard governmental guidelines regulate the disposal and convertibility of agency property, plant and equipment. The useful life classifications for capitalized assets are as follows:

Description                                                                                         Useful Life (years)

Leasehold Improvements                                                                                 9

Office Furniture                                                                                               5

Computer Equipment                                                                                      3

Office Equipment   

J.         Advances and Prepayments

Advance and prepayments are generally prohibited by law. There are some exceptions, such as reimbursable agreements, subscriptions and payments to contractors and employees. Payments made in advance of the receipt of goods and services are recorded as advances or prepaid charges at the time of prepayment and recognized as expenses when the related goods and services are received. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, advances were $0 and $7,829, respectively.




11

U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

K.         Liabilities

Liabilities covered by budgetary or other resources are those liabilities for which Congress has appropriated funds or funding is otherwise available to pay amounts due.

Liabilities not covered by budgetary or other resources represent amounts owed in excess of available Congressionally appropriated funds or other amounts. The liquidation of liabilities not covered by budgetary or other resources is dependent on future Congressional appropriations or other funding. Intragovemmental liabilities are claims against OGE by other Federal agencies. Liabilities not covered by budgetary resources on the Balance Sheet are equivalent to amounts reported as Components requiring or generating resources on the Statement of Financing. Additionally, the Government, acting in its sovereign capacity, can abrogate liabilities. (See Note 4 for additional information).

L.          Accounts Payable

Accounts payable consists of amounts owed to other Federal agencies and the public.

M.         Annual, Sick, and Other Leave

Annual leave is accrued as it is earned, and the accrual is reduced as leave is taken. The balance in the accrued leave account is adjusted to reflect current pay rates. Liabilities associated with other types of vested leave, including compensatory, restored leave, and sick leave in certain circumstances, are accrued at year-end, based on latest pay rates and unused hours of leave. Sick leave is generally nonvested, except for sick leave balances at retirement under the terms of certain union agreements. Funding will be obtained from future financing sources to the extent that current or prior year appropriations are not available to fund annual and other types of vested leave earned but not taken. Nonvested leave is expensed when used.

N.     Accrued Workers' Compensation

A liability is recorded for actual and estimated future payments to be made for workers' compensation pursuant to the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). The actual costs incurred are reflected as a liability because OGE will reimburse the Department of Labor (DOL) two years after the actual payment of expenses. Future appropriations will be used for the reimbursement to DOL. The liability consists of (1) the net present value of estimated future payments calculated by the DOL, and (2) the unreimbursed cost paid by DOL for compensation to recipients under the FECA.



12



U.S. OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 AND 2004

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)



0. Retirement Plans

OGE employees participate in either the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). The employees who participate in CSRS are beneficiaries of AB's matching contribution, equal to seven percent of pay, distributed to their annuity account in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.

FERS went into effect on January 1, 1987. FERS and Social Security automatically cover most employees hired after December 31, 1983. Employees hired prior to January 1, 1984 elected to join either FERS and Social Security, or remain in CSRS. FERS offers a savings plan to which OGE automatically contributes one percent of pay and matches any employee contribution up to an additional four percent of pay. For FERS participants, OGE also contributes the employer's matching share of Social Security.

FERS employees and certain CSRS reinstatement employees are eligible to participate in the Social Security program after retirement. In these instances, OGE remits the employer's share of the required contribution.

OGE recognizes the imputed cost of pension and other retirement benefits during the employees' active years of service. OPM actuaries determine pension cost factors by calculating the value of pension benefits expected to be paid in the future and communicates these factors to OGE for current period expense reporting. OPM also provides information regarding the full cost of health and life insurance benefits. OGE recognized the offsetting revenue as imputed financing sources to the extent these expenses will be paid by OPM.

OGE does not report on its financial statements information pertaining to the retirement plans covering its employees. Reporting amounts such as plan assets, accumulated plan benefits, and related unfunded liabilities, if any, is the responsibility of the OPM.

P. Use of Estimates

Management has made certain estimates and assumptions when reporting assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses, and in the note disclosures. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates include (a) year-end accruals of accounts payable, (b) accrued workers' compensation, and (c) allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.