Ethics, Accountability, and Professional Standards Flashcards

What is 'program evaluation' in the context of governmental performance management?

Answer: A systematic study assessing how well a government program is working and whether it achieves its intended outcomes

Program evaluation is a rigorous, systematic study that assesses a program's design, implementation, and outcomes to determine whether it is working as intended and achieving its goals.

What does GPRA (Government Performance and Results Act) require of federal agencies?

Answer: Setting strategic goals, measuring performance, and reporting results to Congress and the public

GPRA (1993) and the GPRA Modernization Act (2010) require agencies to set strategic goals, measure performance with metrics, and report actual results annually.

Which type of government accountability focuses on whether programs achieve their intended outcomes?

Answer: Program accountability

Program accountability focuses on whether government programs actually achieve the results they were designed to produce, beyond just spending money or following rules.

What is the role of continuing professional education (CPE) for CGFM holders?

Answer: A mandatory requirement to maintain the CGFM designation by staying current with evolving government financial management practices

CGFM holders must complete mandatory CPE hours each two-year renewal period to ensure they stay current with changes in government financial management standards and practices.

What is 'evidence-based policymaking' in government financial management?

Answer: Using rigorous data and research to design and evaluate government programs and spending decisions

Evidence-based policymaking uses data, research, and program evaluations to inform decisions about which programs work, how to improve them, and how to allocate resources most effectively.

What does 'economy' mean as a performance concept in government auditing?

Answer: Acquiring resources at the lowest possible cost consistent with required quality

Economy means acquiring the right resources — in the right quality and quantity — at the right time and place, for the least cost, to achieve program objectives.