The Defense Department yesterday turned over to Congress an update on its attempts to pass an audit. Though Congress mandated audits back in 1990, most of DOD’s divisions still haven’t even managed to make their books audit-ready, much less pass the finish line. The report admitted that while six DOD offices succeeded in passing an audit (including the Defense Contract Audit Agency!), the amount of work involved in getting the entire agency’s financial house in order is “enormous.”

“Past pronouncements and plans have not resulted in the change in culture needed at the Defense Department to ensure financial accountability for taxpayer dollars,” observed Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) in a statement released with Sens. Tom Carper (D-DE) and John McCain (R-AZ).

You can see the executive summary of DOD's May 2010  Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness Plan update here .