The Office of Financial Policy and Assistance is responsible for formulating and prescribing Departmentwide financial management, accounting and fiscal policies, and procedures, standards and controls, and for providing assistance to Departmental components in their implementation. This includes the development, issuance, and maintenance of all financial manuals, handbooks, and related directives. This Office issues policy guidance for use by Departmental officials in preparing financial vulnerability assessments and financial compliance reviews to include reviews of internal controls in accordance with the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act and OMB Circular A-123 requirements. It conducts reviews of components financial operations to assess the adequacy of internal controls over financial management and resources.

Specific responsibilities and duties of the Office of Financial Policy and Assistance are as follows:

• Plans and coordinates the preparation of annual financial statements to include form and content.
• Coordinates with the Office of the Inspector General in planning required annual financial statement audits.
• Assists finance offices in responding to financial statement audit reports.
• Assists finance offices in preparing audit action plans.
• Tracks the status of management actions on financial statement audit reports.
• Plans and carries out financial quality assurance initiatives to include a financial performance program and advice on staff training.
• Plans and reports on Departmentwide financial management programs, preparing the Chief Financial Officers Annual Report, the Five Year Financial Management Plan, and maintains a Departmentwide financial systems inventory.
• Coordinates the preparation of Departmentwide financial management reports and budgets exhibits for inclusion in annual budget submissions and Information Technology Plans.
• Consolidates quarterly and annual Departmental financial reports, which include the results of Prompt Payment, Cash Management, Debt Management, Treasury Reports, and Financial Statements.
• Performs analysis and evaluates Departmental financial management opportunities; gathers information needed to prepare required reports or to perform special projects.
• Prepares special financial management reports in response to OMB, Treasury, Congressional, and other issues.

Contacts:

Deputy Director for Financial Management: Gordon Alston (202) 482-0753

Email address: Galston@doc.gov

OFFICE OF FINANCIAL POLICY AND ASSISTANCE STAFF

Tony Akande, Director - (202) 482-0239

Damilola Akinnagbe - (202) 482-2933

Atisha Burks - (202) 482-2715

Ayana Bess - (202) 482-0204

Eric Carter - (202) 482-8107

Christine Courter - (202) 482-0232

Janae Crockett - (202) 482-7896

Christine Galster - (202) 482-3916 or (301) 258-4505 ext. 259

Tina Gantt - (202) 482-0439

Bruce Henshel (202) 482-0646

Tanya Jordan - (202) 482-2576

Marlon Rock - (202) 482-0590

Tanya Smith - (202) 482-0854

Julie Tao - (202) 482-0502 or (301) 258-4505 ext. 269

Kitina White- (202) 482-0831

Tesfaye Wyes - (202) 482-0623