What is the overall goal of effective obligation evaluations?

The overall goal of effective obligation evaluations is to ensure the compliance of the usability of funds and fiscal policies. This focus is vital because it directly relates to how well an agency adheres to established regulations and guidelines regarding the allocation and use of financial resources. Compliance evaluations help to verify that funds are being used appropriately and are aligned with the intended purposes as dictated by governing laws and policies. By ensuring this compliance, agencies can demonstrate accountability and maintain public trust, which is essential for ongoing funding and support.

In contrast, while achieving greater accuracy in fiscal reporting is important, it is a narrower aspect of the overall evaluation process and does not capture the broader compliance focus. Collaborative efforts with local businesses may contribute to some aspects of financial management but are not the central aim of obligation evaluations. Similarly, extending outreach programs is typically a goal of programmatic efforts rather than a direct outcome of obligation evaluations, which are fundamentally concerned with the proper use of funds.