The Audit Connection Blog
Preview: Here's what SAO has in store for the 2023 International Fraud Awareness Week
It just wouldn’t be fall without International Fraud Awareness Week, which is why we’re proud to participate again this year! We invite you to connect with us daily on our social media—and our blog—as we pass along helpful tips, tools and ways to help local governments detect, deter and prevent fraud. ... CONTINUE READING
Pandemic-era innovations in K-12 education identified by new performance audit
SAO has released a performance audit that crafted a list of nontraditional teaching methods adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic that might be useful for educators across the state, and also considered how schools might benefit from incorporating similar practices. ... CONTINUE READING
New to government? Our resources for newly elected officials offer some great guidance
Elected officials and members of appointed boards have a lot of responsibility when it comes to understanding their government’s operations. There's a lot to know, and we've put together a list of some key resources to help. ... CONTINUE READING
Local governments can receive a free cyber checkup from the State Auditor's Office
Reducing your local government's risk of a cyber incident is now a bit easier, thanks to a free cyber checkup program offered by the Center for Government Innovation, a service of the Office of the Washington State Auditor. It’s a side of our agency you may not know, a place to provide resources and tools to help local governments innovate and improve, at no additional charge. ... CONTINUE READING
Regular training can help your employees be your first line of defense against cyberattacks.
With regular training, employees can become your government's first line of defense against cyberattacks. This blog post from SAO takes look at the components of cybersecurity awareness training programs and offer tips for building your own. ... CONTINUE READING
You’re the weakest link: How to avoid revealing your government’s sensitive information to hackers
Rather than hacking your government directly, cyber criminals create believable stories to gain your employees' trust using social engineering tactics. This SAO blog post explains how you can increase your employees' awareness of common tactics that should raise suspicion. ... CONTINUE READING
Greetings Washington Finance Officers Association – the Washington State Auditor’s Office has trainings, sessions and resources just for you!
For the 2023 WFOA Conference, we’re proud to offer three pre-conference trainings and 13 sessions. SAO staff will be presenting on topics like new BARS updates and annual filing system changes, federal grant management, and cybersecurity. And several of our “frauditors” will be there, sharing the latest fraud-prevention practices and insights at our ever-popular Fighting Fraud Friday. If you can't make it, you can read the highlights in our special Audit Connection newsletter. ... CONTINUE READING
Avoid the most common federal single audit finding with these 10 tips
Several pieces of legislation are infusing significant amounts of federal funds into state and local governments. When using federal funds, local governments must follow very specific procurement requirements. SAO has identified particularly risky areas to pay attention to when you procure goods and services with federal funds. ... CONTINUE READING
New report, resource published on managing outdated government software applications
A new performance audit from the Office of the Washington State Auditor can help state agencies better identify legacy applications, analyze the risks they pose and plan for their replacement. The report is paired with a resource to help local governments address their legacy applications. ... CONTINUE READING
SAO’s newly redesigned Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT) now offers easier access to financial data for nearly 2,000 local governments
Those familiar with the Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT) from SAO’s Center for Government Innovation know it has plenty of horsepower: It includes a decade’s worth of financial data for nearly 2,000 local governments, along with a ton of different ways to sort, filter and arrange this insightful information. FIT’s even better today, as we’ve redesigned it to better suit your interests and lifestyle. ... CONTINUE READING