The Audit Connection Blog
Better use of data, accountability in homelessness efforts, audit recommends
Local governments should be more data-driven and focused on results when addressing homelessness, according to a new performance audit by the Office of the Washington State Auditor. ... CONTINUE READING
Setting the tone at the top: SAO’s new fraud-prevention resource for elected officials and members of appointed boards
While preventing employee fraud is an organization-wide effort in your government, creating a fraud-prevention culture starts at the top with elected officials and members of appointed boards. That’s why SAO’s Special Investigations Team has developed a guide for these leaders to help them better understand their role in fighting employee fraud in their governments. ... CONTINUE READING
A sneak peek at what SAO has in store for International Fraud Awareness Week
While SAO is always promoting awareness around preventing, detecting and deterring fraud, we’re ramping up our efforts next week in honor of International Fraud Awareness Week, which kicks of Nov. 13. Here's a sneak peek of what we have in store. ... CONTINUE READING
Do you have a tip hotline? Here are reasons to consider implementing one
A tip hotline offers an anonymous way for people to report concerns via phone, mail or internet about suspected fraud, waste or abuse, policy or law violations, and questionable accounting practices. If you are interested in starting a hotline, you can find additional help and information in SAO’s resource Making it Easy to Report Concerns. ... CONTINUE READING
State has made progress in testing sexual assault kits, but backlog remains, audit shows
Washington has followed best practices in speeding the testing of sexual assault kits and has implemented a kit tracking system, a new performance audit by the Office of the Washington State Auditor found. However, a backlog of untested kits remains. ... CONTINUE READING
Do you have employees working remotely? Help them protect your government’s data
Working from home has many benefits, but it also brings additional risks because remote workers are more vulnerable to cybercrime than those who work in the office. SAO shares tips to help work-from-home employees keep households safe and secure from cyber threats. ... CONTINUE READING
What do hackers want? Anything they can take from your government
Keeping information safe and secure isn’t a new challenge for governments, but the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced governments to quickly shift to online or hybrid workplaces, has made the job tougher. If you haven’t had time to update your cybersecurity policies in light of the shift to remote and hybrid work, we offer four steps you can take now to better protect your government against cyberattacks. ... CONTINUE READING
External peer review finds SAO’s quality controls system, audit procedures meet professional standards
The Office of the Washington State Auditor has passed its external peer review, a rigorous independent examination of the Office’s quality control system and audit work conducted every three years. ... CONTINUE READING
SAO’s Janel Roper named among Washington’s top state managers
Janel Roper, the Office of the Washington State Auditor’s Director of Administrative Services, is a 2022 recipient of the Governor’s Award for Leadership in Management. The annual award recognizes extraordinary leadership in state government in the previous year. ... CONTINUE READING
BARS coding for revenue received from state opioid lawsuit
Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Oct. 3 that 125 local governments in Washington will receive $215 million under a resolution with three companies found responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic. ... CONTINUE READING