Application of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles To Nuclear Materials Control and Accountability

Various Department of Energy Orders and Directives require that the development and operation of nuclear material accounting systems be based upon and adhere to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). In fact, Chapter II, Section 2, of DOE Order 5633.3 specifically states \"Each facility shall have a system that provides a data base for tracking nuclear material inventories, for documenting nuclear material transactions, issuing periodic reports, and for verifying, detecting, and evaluating loss detection elements. The Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, as promulgated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, shall be the basis for development and operation of the nuclear material accounting system unless otherwise directed by DOE Orders.\" DOE obviously then is aware it is a waste of time, money, and other valuable resources if an accounting system does not follow GAAP.