At the Washington Chapter Mini Professional Development Institute (Mini PDI), SDFM CEO Rich Brady hosted a Fireside Chat with the Honorable Tom Harker, Deputy Chief Financial Officer of the United States Department of War, to discuss the Department’s revised audit strategy and its implications for defense financial management.
The Department of War’s audit is often viewed through the lens of complex documentation and legacy systems. However, as emphasized during the discussion, the revised audit strategy represents a broader transformation—focused not just on compliance, but on strengthening stewardship, improving effectiveness, and preparing the organization for the future.
Key objectives of the revised Department of War audit strategy include:
- Accountability to the American taxpayer
- Strengthening internal controls
- Improving operational effectiveness
- Modernizing decades‑old financial and business systems
- Building a resilient, future‑ready financial management workforce
During the Fireside Chat, Mr. Harker outlined how changes to priorities, policies, processes, systems, and people are aligned to support the goal of achieving a clean audit opinion on department‑wide financial statements by 2028. He emphasized that audit success is a catalyst for better decision‑making, mission readiness, and long‑term reform across the Department.
The conversation highlighted the essential role financial managers play in driving accountability and modernization, reinforcing the value of forums like the Washington Chapter Mini PDI for connecting practitioners with senior leadership and evolving audit strategy.
