For the third year in a row, independent auditors verified that the Marine Corps’ financial records are materially accurate, complete, and compliant with federal regulations and issued an unmodified opinion for Fiscal Year 2025.

Three is a pattern of accountability. This repeat achievement reinforces the service’s reputation for accountability, discipline, and leadership. The first and only service to achieve a clean, unmodified audit opinion, the Marine Corps continues to lead department-wide efforts toward effective financial management and delivering accountability to the American taxpayer.

The findings produced by the audit help the service to more efficiently and accurately plan, program, budget, and spend funds appropriated by Congress.

The Marine Corps’ audit process enabled accurate global tracking and reporting of financial transactions, inventory of facilities, equipment and assets, and accounting for taxpayer dollars spent during the last fiscal year. The auditors also tested the Marines Corps’ network, key business systems, and internal controls.

“Passing our third consecutive audit is a direct reflection of who we are as Marines,” said Gen. Eric M. Smith, Commandant of the Marine Corps. “Discipline, accountability, and stewardship are not administrative tasks; they are part of our warfighting culture. When the American people entrust us with their tax dollars, we owe them careful judgment and integrity in how those dollars are spent. Receiving our third consecutive clean audit opinion affirms that Marines take that responsibility seriously at every level, in every unit. I am beyond proud of the work by our Marines, Sailors, and civilians that made this possible.”

Since becoming the first service to pass an annual financial audit, the Marine Corps took additional steps to stabilize its new accounting system and procedures. Independent public accountants contracted by the Department of War Inspector General audited all records. Financial management personnel also gained more hands-on experience, which set conditions for a smoother audit this year.

“With each additional audit year under our belts, we get smarter and adapt, finding new and better ways to get the job done,” said LtGen. James Adams III, Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources. “But to be clear, the hurdle we pass is no less significant. A financial statement audit is a year-round effort that tests every aspect of how we manage money for the Marine Corps. The sustained focus of our team on doing the job right over time is impressive.”

The auditor’s final report, enclosed in the Marine Corps’ Fiscal Year 2025 Agency Financial Report, highlights seven areas for the Marine Corps to improve upon, referred to as material weaknesses.

The Marine Corps will continue to eliminate these weaknesses through systems improvement and internal controls. While doing this, the Corps will still prioritize the accurate counting and management of its global assets, a challenging task given the vast scope of its operations. By repeating and refining this process, the Corps aims to develop a more fluid and efficient enterprise resource planning system, ultimately positioning itself for long-term mission success and accountability.

The Agency Financial Report for Fiscal Year 2025 is available at: https://www.pandr.marines.mil/