The Audit Connection Blog
Unlock these new features in SAO’s Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT)
Summer is almost here, and with longer days comes an even longer list of new features to explore in the Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT). The newest FIT update brings back fan-favorite features, including tools to better compare your government to others. We’ve also taken your feedback and introduced a clearer way to communicate your financial health indicators. Read on to discover what’s new. ... CONTINUE READING
Thank you to local governments that filed their FY2024 annual reporting on time!
Our Office would like to thank every local government that filed its fiscal year 2024 annual report on time! This year, about 88 percent of local governments submitted their annual filing by June 1, 2025 (more than 1650 total), proving once again that compliance, accountability and transparency matter in Washington state. ... CONTINUE READING
Updated guide: What to know before using vendors to accept payments
Thinking about using a vendor—or even a peer-to-peer app like Venmo—to collect payments for your agency? Our updated guide walks you through what to consider before signing a contract, how to safeguard public funds and how to stay compliant with state requirements. Whether you're choosing a vendor or reviewing an existing setup, this resource can help you make informed, accountable decisions. ... CONTINUE READING
Intercepting insurance claims for unpaid child support effective, performance audit finds
In 2020, a performance audit by the Office of the Washington State Auditor recommended requiring insurance companies to report payouts for certain types of claims, so they could be matched against records of unpaid child support. A follow-up performance audit released today found that the resulting change in the law was successful – and more can be done to increase collections. ... CONTINUE READING
Small city employees exploit lack of financial controls for personal gain
A pair of small towns in Eastern Washington lost tens of thousands of tax dollars to employees who spent the money shopping online and on other unallowable purposes, the Office of the Washington State Auditor has found. ... CONTINUE READING
SAO conducts new audits of local agency compliance with requirements to report police officer misconduct
The Office of the Washington State Auditor is conducting new “police training and certification audits” to determine if law enforcement agencies fully comply with officer conduct reporting requirements. The Criminal Justice Training Commission requested this new type of report, which is performed by the same team of auditors who review investigations into police use of deadly force. ... CONTINUE READING
We've done your homework: WASBO 2025 resources for school districts are all here
The Washington Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) is hosting its annual conference this week in Spokane. If you're looking for more information about the resources SAO referenced in our WASBO conference pamphlet, you're in the right place! During and after the conference, you can browse this webpage for articles and information designed to help school business officials throughout Washington state – including resources on relevant topics and guides to reference later. ... CONTINUE READING
State engages with communities affected by cleanup efforts, but is rarely required to do so, audit finds
While the state is appropriately working with communities around some hazardous waste sites, community engagement requirements only apply to a fraction of the contaminated sites across Washington, according to a new performance audit published by our Office. It examines how the Department of Ecology collects and incorporates feedback from the communities and Native American tribes living near contaminated sites. ... CONTINUE READING
Small-dollar transactions, big responsibilities: five best practices for ASB fundraising and cash receipting
Whether from yearbook sales, prom tickets or direct donations, the money raised by Associated Student Body (ASB) groups are public funds. Districts should always ensure to have strong cash handling procedures in place to protect these public funds. ... CONTINUE READING
Preparing your annual report package? Check out our updated cash-basis checklist
The State Auditor's Office has released its updated Checklist for Preparing and Reviewing Cash-Basis Financial Statements. It includes new sections and questions for the most significant changes for cash-basis governments' 2023 financial reporting. ... CONTINUE READING