Framework for financial ratio analysis of audited federal financial reports

Abstract

Federal agencies have traditionally prepared financial reports to monitor and report the obligation and expenditure of federal funding. With the passage of the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, Congress called for the production of financial statements that fully disclose a federal entity's financial position and results of operations. The disclosure of this type of information, it was believed, would enable decision-makers to understand the financial implications of budgetary, policy and program issues and provide an analytical tool for obtaining a deeper understanding of a federal agency's financial condition and operations. The objective of this thesis was to develop a framework for financial ratio analysis of audited federal financial reports to assist in analyzing federal agencies. To accomplish the objective, this thesis identified the theoretical and historical basis of financial ratio analysis, identified the existing financial reporting models and ratio analysis frameworks in other sectors of the economy, and identified the financial accounting and reporting environment unique to the federal government. Based upon this archival research, this thesis developed a framework for financial ratio analysis of audited federal financial reports framed around the users and objectives of federal financial reporting. The users of audited federal financial reports can use this framework to assist in agency analysis, assist in decision-making processes, and assist in achieving the objectives of federal financial reporting.