Independent audits are trustworthy and key to public confidence, Washington State Auditor says

In an era of high uncertainty and skepticism across the country, public auditors provide facts that everyone can rely on – and they need to make that known, said Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy this week. 

As president of the National State Auditors Association (NSAA), McCarthy recently joined a presentation on issues facing the accountability community, including government auditors at the local, state and federal level. 

“Predictability comes up in most of the conversations I have with folks, from Capitol Hill to city hall,” she said in videotaped remarks. “I think all of us, no matter our political opinions, can agree that there has been a major shift in federal policies this year.” 

McCarthy presented at a virtual session hosted the National Intergovernmental Audit Forum, along with auditors of federal agencies, state agencies and local governments. She noted that local and state governments of all types and sizes use federal funds, and they need clear guidance from the federal government on how those funds can be spent.  

While rapid changes in federal policies have created uncertainty for recipients of federal funds, members of the public and lawmakers have expressed increased concern about fraud and the effectiveness of government programs, McCarthy said.  

State Auditors have an opportunity to explain the importance of their work to the public, state lawmakers and members of Congress, she said.   

Under her guidance, the NSAA has created the Education and Outreach Task Force, focused on strengthening connections between state auditors and public policy makers at state and national levels. Auditor McCarthy will chair the group. McCarthy also advocated for the creation of an NSAA white paper outlining the key role state auditors play, providing independent auditing in fighting fraud, waste and abuse, holding government accountable for the use of public resources, and making public services more efficient and effective. 

NSAA's white paper can be found online here: State Auditors: Protecting Taxpayers at All Levels of Government (PDF).

“There is a high level of uncertainty today and we will have to navigate that. But we also have an obligation to tell the story of our work, and that is a good story,” McCarthy said. “We have been providing accountability and transparency throughout the history of our nation, and we continue to innovate, to honor the values we uphold, in modern times.” 

The Office of the Washington State Auditor has developed a two-page summary of the NSAA white paper (PDF), and you can view Auditor McCarthy's videotaped remarks below.