The Audit Connection Blog
FIT gets a data refresh, the return of a popular feature, and a new financial health indicator guide
As the days shorten, the Office of the Washington State Auditor’s Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT) expands, offering users a refreshed set of financial data, new ways to explore statewide revenue and expenditure trends, and a helpful financial health indicator reference guide. ... CONTINUE READING
Top five fraud reports for 2024: A roundup of notable investigations published this year
Some of the most significant fraud investigations in our Office's history have been brough to light in 2024, and Fraud Awareness Week seemed like the perfect time to revisit them. These cases not only speak to the importance of government accountability and transparency, but also to the value of the resources we offer that can help governments prevent fraud in their organizations. ... CONTINUE READING
Home ownership option found in some tribal housing projects has not yet been used, audit finds
Only 18 of Washington's 1,300 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Program projects offer tenant purchase options, but a performance audit from the State Auditor's Office found that as of 2023, none of the 135 eligible homes had been sold and transferred to tenants. ... CONTINUE READING
Interested in becoming an anti-fraud professional? Here’s how to get started
If you’re looking to join the ranks of fraud prevention specialists, our blog post features some great guidance from two of the best: Katherine Robinson, President of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), and Brandi Pritchard, SAO’s Assistant Director of Special Investigations. Learn more about their experience, insight and advice today. ... CONTINUE READING
Purchase cards remain a high-risk misappropriation tool for governments large and small
Purchase cards carry a high risk of fraud, waste and abuse for local governments, as evidenced by several of our recent investigations. This blog post highlights the importance of maintaining strong internal controls, and offers several tips and resources to help governments develop the proper monitoring and oversight to help avoid becoming a victim of a purchase card scheme. ... CONTINUE READING
Check fraud: How a seemingly vintage payment method is the center of a trending fraud scheme
In the year 2024, it may feel like we all use checks less and less often. However, checks fraud is actually increasing for both organizations and individuals. Our Special Investigations Team discusses why that is and what you can do to protect yourself and public funds. ... CONTINUE READING
Listen up for an in-depth discussion of fraud prevention with SAO’s Brandi Pritchard on ACFE’s “Fraud Talk” podcast
Join SAO’s Assistant Director of Special Investigations, Brandi Pritchard, on a special edition of ACFE’s “Fraud Talk” podcast as she shares the story behind our Office’s dedication to fraud prevention, from engaging tactics that bring fraud awareness to local governments and the community, to the “trust but verify” approach that underscores our work. ... CONTINUE READING
What’s coming for SAO’s 2024 International Fraud Awareness Week
While our Office always promotes preventing, detecting and deterring fraud, we're ramping up our efforts next week in honor of International Fraud Awareness Week. It kicks off Nov. 17, and starting Monday, we'll be posting articles regularly on the Audit Connection Blog. Here's a look ahead at what's to come. ... CONTINUE READING
Are you ready to identify your asset retirement obligations?
Local governments are beginning to implement GASB Statement No. 83 on asset retirement obligations, or ARO’s, which is effective for reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2019. To help local governments begin, the Center for Government Innovation has published a new resource to help you identify asset retirement obligations in Washington. ... CONTINUE READING
Innovative Washington, Oregon audits explore double Medicaid enrollment across state lines
A new performance audit from the Office of the Washington State Auditor found that Washington pays millions of dollars for Medicaid coverage of people already insured by other states. Auditors worked in tandem with their counterparts in the Oregon Secretary of State Audits Division to understand how the movement of Medicaid clients between the neighboring states affects enrollment. ... CONTINUE READING