Page 11 - Financial Report 2020

PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT BOARD

Ø Hosting public forums on topics including the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
(2020), the NSA’s Call Detail Records Program (2019), countering terrorism while
protecting privacy and civil liberties (2019), and activities to protect the nation from
terrorism conducted under Executive Order 12,333 (2015).
Ongoing Board projects include an examination of the use of facial recognition and other
biometric technologies in aviation security, a review of the FBI’s use of open source data for
counterterrorism purposes, oversight of the FBI’s searching of data obtained pursuant to
FISA Section 702, and a review of the NSA’s use of a capability known as XKEYSCORE for
counterterrorism purposes.
Since regaining a quorum in 2018, the Board has focused on achieving excellence in
financial management. In 2018, the Board performed its first external audit. It conducted
its first internal controls assessment late the following year. Using the recommendations
and findings from the audit and internal controls assessment and drawing on the expertise
of its personnel, the Board has strengthened its internal financial controls and continued to
professionalize its financial management. The Board has also appointed a Chief Financial
Officer and hired a full-time accountant. The Board has also transitioned to a new shared
service provider for financial services, which provides better record-keeping and data
management capabilities.

The Board received clean audit opinions from the independent external auditors for both
its FY 2019 and FY 2020 financial statements, with no material weaknesses, significant
deficiencies, or issues of noncompliance with laws and regulations noted by the auditors.
All recommendations from prior audits have been addressed. The Board’s first internal
controls assessment, conducted in 2019, found no waste, fraud, or abuse, and concluded
that the Board’s internal controls and financial systems met the Federal Managers’
Financial Integrity Act objectives.

These achievements reflect the Board’s commitment to accountability and transparency in
all facets of our operations. I am grateful for the dedication, expertise, and hard work of the
Board staff members who made these accomplishments possible. Thanks to their efforts, I
am confident that the Board will maintain the highest standard of financial accountability
in years to come.

Adam Klein, Chairman
November 13, 2020

FY 2020 AGENCY FINANCIAL REPORT 2