By Kim S. Farington, FirstNet Chief Financial Officer

The First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) hit another major milestone with its financial management practices by achieving a “clean” audit opinion for Fiscal Year 2015 (FY 2015).  An independent auditor, Harper, Rains, Knight & Company, P.A., conducted the audit of our financial statements, and the report can be accessed here.

This is the third consecutive year independent auditors have provided an unmodified opinion on FirstNet’s financial statements.  No material weaknesses were identified in our financial reporting.

The clean audit opinion demonstrates the hard work by our talented and dedicated financial team.  They have been working diligently to implement strong policies and business practices and we continue to strengthen the financial controls we have in place.

Further, this audit demonstrates the soundness of FirstNet’s financial management capabilities, driven by strong leadership and partnerships within the Department of Commerce.

Also this year, FirstNet began developing a Five Year Strategic Plan for FY 2016 – FY 2020 to more clearly align its financial resources.  This plan will contain detailed information about the distribution and focus of FirstNet’s resources.  And, as we have done in the past, we will continue to share our budget to provide full transparency into resource utilization in alignment with FirstNet’s goals and strategies, as we shape our future.

I would like to express my thanks to the FirstNet Board and staff who remain dedicated, responsible stewards of the taxpayer dollar as we deploy the first nationwide public safety broadband network.

Thanks

-Kim