As many of you are already aware, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been working on a new version of the Data Collection Form (DCF), which features substantial changes from the previous version and will apply to audit periods ending in 2013, 2014 and 2015. According to the OMB, the new DCF should make it easier for Federal agencies to identify the types of audit findings reported and should increase transparency on the part of the auditor filing the DCF. On November 19, 2013, the OMB released a Federal Register (FR) notice with the final proposed DCF changes, which are open for public review and comment until December 19, 2013. Detail of the proposed changes to the new DCF comment and format can be found on the OMB website under “Recent News.” In light of the new DCF changes (which were further delayed by the government shutdown), the OMB has granted an extension for the 2013 DCF to January 31, 2014. This extension is automatic and no approval is required. In addition, the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) website has undergone significant changes in preparation for the new DCF and has just recently been launched in its new format.
For AICPA and GAQC Member Firms Only: The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) has an archived webinar available to Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC) members which focuses on the 2013 DCF changes as well as changes to the overall DCF submission process using the new FAC website.