About CEAR
The CEAR Program—Fostering Excellence in Accountability Reporting
AGA's Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting (CEAR)© Program has been helping federal agencies produce high-quality
Performance and Accountability Reports since 1997. The program was established in conjunction with the Chief Financial Officers Council and the U.S. Office of Management and Budget to improve financial
and program accountability by streamlining reporting and improving the effectiveness of such reports.
Back To Top
Outstanding Performance and Accountability Reports Can Improve
Operations
High-quality Performance and Accountability Reports do more than
provide a comprehensive understanding of an agency’s fiscal and
programmatic accomplishments. Providing readers the opportunity to
assess financial stewardship and evaluate program performance,
exceptional Performance and Accountability Reports can help leaders
rethink the way agencies do business.
Back To Top
Program Overview
Through the program, AGA advises agencies on how to prepare
integrated and user-friendly Performance and Accountability Reports that
clearly show what an agency accomplished with taxpayer dollars and the
challenges that remain.
Agencies that participate in the program submit their Performance and
Accountability Report to a five-member review team for an in-depth
evaluation. These five individuals assess the report using the CEAR
Reviewer Guidelines and then provide detailed recommendations for
improving the effectiveness of the report. Agencies with reports that
are considered excellent are awarded the Certificate of Excellence in
Accountability Reporting. (The certificate recipients will also receive
recommendations for improvement.)
Back To Top
Program Eligibility
All federal agencies and components of agencies are encouraged to
demonstrate their commitment to excellence by participating in the
program, whether or not they are statutorily required to produce a
Performance and Accountability Report.
Back To Top
Program Benefits
Agencies that participate in the program receive:
-
A Comprehensive Evaluation and Detailed Recommendations
A panel of five distinguished experts from both inside and outside the financial management profession performs an in-depth review of the
Performance and Accountability Report.
The review panel provides specific recommendations for improving the
effectiveness of the Performance and Accountability Report. It then
decides whether the report merits the Certificate of Excellence in
Accountability Reporting.*
*Agencies must receive an unqualified opinion on their financial
reports to be eligible for the Certificate of Excellence in
Accountability Reporting.
-
Valuable Training for Preparers of Performance and
Accountability Reports
Each participating agency is permitted to register up to five staff members for AGA's half-day
Performance and Accountability Report Preparer's Training, where attendees will learn strategies and best practices for
performance and accountability reporting.
-
Technical Development for Professional Staff
Each participating agency has the opportunity to appoint senior-level staff to act as program reviewers, offering unparalleled exposure to the broad range of current
performance and accountability reporting practices. Serving as a reviewer is a practical way to keep abreast of the most recent developments in authoritative standards affecting federal accounting, financial reporting and performance measurement.
Back To Top
The Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting
Agencies that achieve such a distinction receive all program benefits plus the following:
-
A Prestigious National Award
During a special award ceremony, AGA presents the prestigious Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting to the agency's administrator and presents the Award for Excellence in Accountability Reporting to the
office that prepared the report. The taxpaying public, Congress, public interest groups and financial management professionals recognize the Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting as an outstanding accomplishment for a federal agency and its management.
-
Professional Recognition
AGA promotes the exceptional accomplishment to the
federal government community through press releases and recognizes the agencies in
The Journal of Government Financial Management, Government Financial Management
TOPICS, AGA Today and AGA's website.
-
Validation of an Agency's Accountability
Congress, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the U.S. General Accounting Office recognize the Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting as evidence of a complete presentation of an agency's programmatic and financial affairs.
-
Enhanced Report Presentations
Receiving the Certificate of Excellence in Accountability Reporting represents a significant accomplishment for a federal agency and its management. Such an impressive achievement can be used to strengthen presentations to congressional leaders during budget and oversight hearings and to the media.
Back To Top
Are You Ready to Demonstrate Your Agency's Commitment to Excellence?
Your work producing quality, timely Performance and Accountability
Reports is essential to the overall objective of advancing government
accountability. Contact us today to ensure your Performance and Accountability Report is included in the next CEAR Program cycle.
Back To Top
Deadline
All Performance and Accountability Reports, related documents and
program fees are due 30 days after the Performance and Accountability
Report is due to OMB and Congress.
Back To Top
Fee
The filing fee is due when the application and other documents are
submitted. Please see the "Payment" portion of the program
application
for the current fee.
Back To Top