Sen. Chris Dueñas says Guam’s delayed government-wide audit should concern taxpayers and policymakers as lawmakers begin discussions on the FY2027 budget.
During an oversight hearing, the senator who chairs the Committee of Finance and Government Operations raised concerns that the Fiscal Year 2024 audit has still not been finalized, potentially leaving lawmakers without key financial information as they prepare future budgets.
“We are now beginning budget discussions for FY2027, and yet we may still be months away from seeing the final FY2024 audit,” Dueñas said. “That is not where Guam should be. Timely audits are basic to accountability, sound budgeting and public trust.”
B.J. Cruz, Guam’s public auditor with the Office of Public Accountability, testified that the audit timeline originally required draft audits by the end of January and final reports by the end of February so the government-wide audit could be released before budget deliberations.
However, Cruz told lawmakers the timeline has slipped.
“I’m not even sure that the audit’s going to get out at the end of this month,” Cruz said, adding later that he has “no idea” when the final audit will be completed.
Cruz said while staffing shortages at auditing firm Ernst & Young have contributed to delays, some government agencies have also been slow to provide needed financial information.
He described the process of obtaining records from some departments as “like pulling teeth,” emphasizing that agencies are responsible for preparing financial statements before auditors review them.
“The financial statement is supposed to be prepared by them, by Guam Department of Administration,” Cruz said. “The auditors are just supposed to audit that.”
Dueñas said while accuracy is essential, delays cannot become the norm.
“No one wants a rushed audit,” he said. “But the people of Guam should not have to choose between accuracy and timeliness. We need both.”
