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Financial Management's Role in the Recovery Act The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) is a $787 billion economic stimulus package intended to jumpstart the economy, create and retain American jobs and help the nation continue to thrive. Implementation of the Recovery Act is set against a backdrop of rigorous internal controls and oversight mechanisms designed to provide an unprecedented level of transparency and accountability, ensuring the American public that every taxpayer dollar is well spent. The added accountability from the Recovery Act is essential to meeting the Administration's goals, of not only having a more open and transparent government, but also to improve government's ability to link planning and execution processes to business results--demonstrating that nexus through reporting--and using the information generated to make better business decisions. Historically, government data has been difficult to access, and even more difficult to use or analyze. Pages upon pages of government collected data reside in Microsoft® Excel spreadsheets or in homegrown data systems, rather than utilizing solutions that enable macro-/micro-level analysis and visualization. Without the capabilities to effectively use the data reported on Recovery.gov--to understand the links between program investment and performance--the information will simply become another government data call. Transparency and openness may be achieved, but the twin goals of increased efficiency and effectiveness will go unrealized.. To continue reading this white paper, please click here. Related Links
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