Limitations of the Financial Statements

These financial statements have been prepared to report the overall financial position and results of operations of the Department of Commerce, pursuant to the requirements of 31 U.S.C. 3515(b). While the statements have been prepared from the books and records of the Department in accordance with the form and content prescribed by OMB, the statements are in addition to the financial reports used to monitor and control budgetary resources that are prepared from the same books and records.

These financial statements should be read with the realization that they are for a component of the U.S. government, a sovereign entity. One implication of this is that liabilities cannot be liquidated without legislation that provides the resources to do so.