Using the attached template and references(i.e. sample thesis 1 and 2) please draft chapters 1-3 of thesis as listed in the below outline. include Abstract and executive summary. Please utilize the attached template for formatting. No AI and please provide an AI report, Ithenticate/Turnitin report. Please utilize strong credible sources and feel free to refer to the sample theses references for additional support. rewrite as needed to ensure originality, quality and clarity. Primary Research Question.

Do audit readiness investments produce measurable financial efficiency or readiness benefits within Navy Reserve financial management operations?

Secondary Research Questions

1. What financial management cost drivers are associated with audit remediation (personnel, IT modernization, contractor support)?
2. Do audit readiness initiatives reduce material weaknesses or improve fund execution rates?
3. Is the financial return (cost avoidance, improved asset visibility) greater than the investment cost?

Alternative: SELRES-focused thesis angle thats unique (and defensible)

Most DoD audit research is enterprise-level (big Navy / DoD). Your differentiator is:

Audit readiness in a part-time, geographically dispersed force with high turnover and episodic mobilization.

That lets you quantify how audit readiness investments reduce the cost of dispersion by improving:

• transaction accuracy (fewer fixes/rework),
• fund execution quality (fewer invalid/unliquidated obligations),
• mobilization funding correctness (fewer pay/travel/orders errors),
• audit sustainment despite SELRES drill/AT cadence.

Core SELRES hypothesis (testable):

Audit readiness investments targeted at Reserve unit processes yield outsized returns because errors scale with dispersion + part-time handoffs.

CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION

• Background: DoD audit failures and Navy Reserve financial environment
• Problem Statement
• DoD invests heavily in audit readiness but ROI is unclear
• Research Questions
• Significance to Navy Reserve Financial Management
• Scope & Limitations
• Methodology Overview

CHAPTER II LITERATURE REVIEW

Sections you should include:

1. DoD Audit Environment

• Material weaknesses
• Clean audit mandate

2. Financial Improvement & Audit Remediation (FIAR)

• Governance frameworks
• Internal control modernization

3. Cost-Benefit Analysis in Defense Financial Management

• NPV
• Cost avoidance
• Efficiency metrics

CHAPTER III METHODOLOGY

Research Design

Quantitative Cost-Benefit Analysis

Data Sources

• DON Agency Financial Reports
• GAO audit reports
• Budget execution data
• Statement of Assurance reports

Variables

• Audit remediation spending
• Contractor costs
• Financial system modernization costs
• Reduction in material weaknesses
• Inventory visibility improvements

Models

• Net Present Value (NPV)
• Cost-per-Audit Finding Reduced
• Readiness ROI proxy

CHAPTER IV ANALYSIS

• Audit remediation cost trends
• Financial outcomes
• Efficiency comparison before vs after investments
• Navy Reserve case application

CHAPTER V FINDINGS

• Financial return vs investment
• Governance improvements
• Risk reduction outcomes

CHAPTER VI RECOMMENDATIONS

• Navy Reserve financial management policy changes
• Resource allocation improvements
• Future audit readiness strategy