PWC Gets Audit of Homeland Security

PriceWaterhouseCoopers has received a five-year contracts with fees potentially in excess of $40 million to evaluate and recommend improvements the internal controls of the Department of Homeland Security. DHS spokesman Larry Orluskie stated that in the first year of the contract, PWC would emphasize pointing out shortcomings. The audit is due by September 30, the end of the federal government's fiscal year. According to Todd Platts (R-PA), DHS is not being singled out; rather, internal control audits now will be required, along with financial management audits, of 24 seperate government departments, bureaus and agencies.

Given the criticism of DHS resulting from the Katrina aftermath, top brass in DHS should welcome the expertise of PWC in finding internal control shortcomings.