The Audit Connection Blog

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

What exactly is a data breach?

While breaches at large companies often dominate the headlines, cybercriminals are also hacking local and state governments, public and private universities, and school districts. We’ve put together some helpful information on what data breaches are and the steps you should take if you suspect or know you have experienced one. ... CONTINUE READING

Cybersecurity is everyone’s job, including yours

When it comes to thwarting cybercrime, everyone in your government has a role to play. Here are a few key best practices that you and your employees can implement today to protect your government. ... CONTINUE READING

A Message from State Auditor Pat McCarthy

State Auditor Pat McCarthy discusses how the Auditor's Office has been working to maintain and even increase government accountability during the coronavirus pandemic. ... CONTINUE READING

A message from State Auditor Pat McCarthy: See yourself in cyber

Whether you work for a local government that provides frontline emergency services or an agency that handles sensitive information like personal or financial records, you have an important role in cybersecurity. ... CONTINUE READING

State Auditor’s Office releases first audits of police use of deadly force investigations

Today the Office of the Washington State Auditor released two first-of-their-kind audits related to law enforcement officers’ use of deadly force. The reports compare the investigations of such incidents to state rules and professional best practices. ... CONTINUE READING

Director Armijo honored with Award of Excellence from Washington Finance Officers Association 

Sadie Armijo, the Office of the Washington State Auditor’s Director of State Audit and Special Investigations, received the 2022 Award of Excellence from the Washington Finance Officers Association (WFOA).  ... CONTINUE READING

New audit reports find Mason County Fire District officials misappropriated public funds, did not comply with state laws

Today the Office of the Washington State Auditor released a fraud report and audit of Mason County Fire District No. 12, showing almost $70,000 in misappropriated public funds, as well as $95,000 in unsupported expenses. ... CONTINUE READING