The Marine Corps announced Tuesday that its financial house is fully in order: For the second year in a row, the Marines have passed an audit — still the only military service to do so.

The clean audit for fiscal 2024 might not rank up there with raising the U.S. flag during the Battle of Iwo Jima, but Marine officials said the achievement reinforces their hard-won reputation for accountability, discipline and leadership.

“Passing a second annual audit demonstrates our commitment to being good stewards of our nation’s tax dollars and is how we distinguish ourselves as a professional warfighting organization,” Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric M. Smith said. “Make no mistake, passing an audit makes us more ready to fight when our nation calls.”

Independent auditors analyzed the tracking and reporting of Marine Corps financial transactions, inventory of facilities, equipment and assets, and accounting dollars spent during the last financial year. They also tested the Corps’ network, internal controls and key business systems.

Marine officials said the findings will help them more efficiently and accurately plan, program, budget, and spend funds appropriated by Congress.

“The Marine Corps culture has always emphasized accountability to yourself, your fellow Marines, and your unit down to the lowest tactical levels,” Lt. Gen. James Adams, deputy commandant for programs and resources, said in a statement.

The Marines took additional steps to stabilize its new accounting system since becoming the first service to pass an annual financial audit in fiscal 2023. Personnel also gained more hands-on experience with the process, which set conditions for a smoother audit this year, officials said.

Accounting for $49 billion in financial assets requires a holistic view from the ground floor to the highest service levels. Gen. Adams said the process can be uncomfortable as accountants reveal potential audit mistakes and inventory miscounts.

“Now magnify that across an entire service,” he said. “By educating Marines on the importance of accurate counts, and through our use of independent audit and inspection teams, we were able to gain an accurate accounting of the resources entrusted to the Corps.”

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.