GAO-18-186R, Financial Audit
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441 G St. N.W. Washington, DC 20548 November 15, 2017 The Honorable Jay Clayton Chairman United States Securities and Exchange Commission Financial Audit: Securities and Exchange Commission’s Fiscal Years 2017 and 2016 Financial Statements Dear Mr. Clayton: This report transmits the GAO auditor’s report on the results of our audits of the fiscal years 2017 and 2016 financial statements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and its Investor Protection Fund (IPF),1 which is incorporated in the enclosed U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Fiscal Year 2017 Agency Financial Report. As discussed more fully in the auditor’s report that begins on page 57 of the enclosed agency financial report, we found • the financial statements of SEC and its IPF as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, are presented fairly, in all material respects, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; • SEC maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting for SEC and for IPF as of September 30, 2017; and • no reportable noncompliance for fiscal year 2017 with provisions of applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements we tested. The Accountability of Tax Dollars Act of 2002 requires that SEC annually prepare and submit audited financial statements to Congress and the Office of Management and Budget.2 The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended in 2010 by section 922 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), requires SEC to annually prepare and submit a complete set of audited financial statements for IPF to Congress.3 In accordance with the authority conferred by the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, as amended 1IPF, which was established in 2010 by section 922 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act), funds the activities of SEC’s whistleblower award program and the SEC Office of Inspector General Employee Suggestion Program established under section 966 of the Dodd-Frank Act. IPF is a separate SEC fund, and its financial statements present SEC’s financial activity associated with these programs. Accordingly, IPF’s financial transactions are also included in SEC’s overall financial statements. Pub. L. No. 111-203, § 922(a), 124 Stat. 1376, 1844 (July 21, 2010), classified at 15 U.S.C. § 78u-6(g). 2Pub. L. No. 107-289, § 2, 116 Stat. 2049-50 (Nov. 7, 2002), amending 31 U.S.C. § 3515. 3Dodd-Frank Act, § 922(a), 124 Stat. 1844 (July 21, 2010), adding § 21F(g)(5) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, classified at 15 U.S.C. § 78u-6(g)(5). Page 1 GAO-18-186R SEC’s Financial Statements for Fiscal Years 2017 and 2016 by the Government Management Reform Act of 1994,4 we have audited the SEC and IPF financial statements. Section 963 of the Dodd-Frank Act further requires that (1) SEC annually submit a report to Congress describing management’s responsibility for internal control over financial reporting and assessing the effectiveness of such internal control during the fiscal year, (2) the SEC Chairman and Chief Financial Officer attest to SEC’s report, and (3) GAO assess the effectiveness of SEC’s internal control over financial reporting and evaluate, attest to, and report on SEC’s assessment.5 Accordingly, this report also includes our reporting in response to the requirement under section 963 of the Dodd-Frank Act. ________________ We are sending copies of this report to the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; the House Committee on Financial Services; and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. We are also sending copies to the Secretary of the Treasury, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, and other interested parties. In addition, the report is available at no charge on the GAO website at http://www.gao.gov. If you or your staff have questions about this report, please contact me at (202) 512-3133 or [email protected]. Contact points for our Offices of Congressional Relations and Public Affairs may be found on the last page of this report. Sincerely yours, James R. Dalkin Director Financial Management and Assurance Team Enclosure (101653) 4See the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101-576, 104 Stat. 2838 (Nov. 15, 1990), codified, in relevant part, as amended, at 31 U.S.C. § 3521(g); see also the Government Management Reform Act of 1994, Pub. L. No. 103-356, 108 Stat. 3410 (Oct. 13, 1994), codified, in relevant part, as amended, at 31 U.S.C. § 3515(c). 5Dodd-Frank Act, § 963(a), (b), 124 Stat. 1910 (July 21, 2010), classified at 15 U.S.C. § 78d-8(a), (b). Page 2 GAO-18-186R SEC’s Financial Statements for Fiscal Years 2017 and 2016 U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Agency Financial FISCAL YEAR 2017 Report PROTECTING INVESTORS MAINTAINING FAIR, ORDERLY, AND EFFICIENT MARKETS FACILITATING CAPITAL FORMATION i MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN Since joining the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in May 2017, I’ve seen first-hand the commitment and dedication of the agency’s 4,600 employees to carry out our important three-part mission—to protect investors, maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitate capital formation. Through their efforts, the SEC serves the American public and seeks to sustain our nation’s continuing prosperity and importance in an ever-changing, interconnected global economy. The Agency Financial Report describes the SEC’s results over the past fiscal year. It presents the agency’s financial statements, and provides the opinion of our independent auditor, the Government Accountability Office, with respect to the financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control systems. The report also includes the perspective of the SEC’s Inspector General on the agency’s key management and performance challenges, and reports on our plans for meeting these and other emerging challenges in the years ahead. I am pleased to report that, while global competition and the fast-moving pace of technology present new challenges to effective oversight and enforcement, the SEC is facing those challenges head on. We are committed to leveraging our precious resources efficiently and effectively. In doing so, we will endeavor to increase opportunities for Main Street investors and entrepreneurs in their pursuit of financial security and their share of the American dream. JAY CLAYTON Chairman November 13, 2017 i CONTENTS Message from the Chairman ...................................................................................................................................................i Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................................1 Management’s Discussion and Analysis .......................................................................................................................3 About Us ....................................................................................................................................................................................................4 Mission, Vision, Values, and Goals ............................................................................................................................................4 History and Purpose ............................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Organizational Structure and Resources .............................................................................................................................8 Year In Review ......................................................................................................................................................................................13 Looking Forward ...............................................................................................................................................................................24 Financial Highlights .........................................................................................................................................................................31 Performance Highlights .............................................................................................................................................................39 Management Assurances and Compliance with Laws ..................................................................................47 Annual Assurance Statement .................................................................................................................................................... 48 Management’s Assessment of Internal Control ........................................................................................................49 Other Reviews ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 50 Improper Payments Information Act .................................................................................................................................. 51 Financial Management System Conformance ..........................................................................................................