Fort Belvoir, Va. –
Elizabeth Passo is a Technical Specialist who was recently awarded the Corporate Audit Directorate (CAD) Director’s coin for her instrumental guidance and support with the CAD’s Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) audits. Elizabeth proactively provided focused training on the previous year’s prior engagements before starting on the current year’s prior engagements. These trainings ensure all auditors have a full understanding of the criteria before starting work. This comprehensive training continues throughout the entire prior engagement process and helps the CAD meet its goals. With a passion for sharing the benefits of the CAS compliance assessment, she shares, “These are the rules of the game for doing business with the Federal Government. When everyone is following the same rules, we have reasonable assurance of a level playing field during the contract award process where no one contractor has an unfair advantage.”
The CAS audit facilitation tools were created to help increase efficiency and optimize value, garnering positive feedback from the field. This year, Elizabeth is focused on improving cross-audit communication and continuing to develop tools that help the Incurred Cost and Forward Pricing Rate Proposal (FPRP) teams review and integrate work performed in CAS assignments. Former Technical Programs Division (TPD) Chief Jim Blackadar stated, “Through her [Elizabeth] assistance, the FAOs [Field Audit Office] have been able to stay focused on the task at hand and ensure the Government and taxpayer interests are protected.”