Every year, we update the cash basis financial statement checklist so that you have the latest guidance as you prepare your government's annual report filing package. In addition to incorporating the most recent BARS changes, we also monitor audit results and make additional adjustments to help you check for common errors.
Do you remember the scene in the holiday classic “It's a Wonderful Life,” where George's Uncle Billy loses an $8,000 deposit and it nearly results in the ruin of the family's business? Absentminded Uncle Billy had somehow lost or misplaced the money on his way to the bank. In today's dollars, that deposit would be equivalent to about $96,000.
The Center for Government Innovation at the State Auditor's Office is excited to announce our new Accounts Payable Guide for local governments. Use this guide to find ways to improve your operations and discover best practices.
This guide has something for each role in the accounts payable process, whether you are:
You've decided the time has come to upgrade your cash receipting system or billing system, or even to install a new financial management system, but where do you start? How do you ensure implementation goes to plan?
While every financial system's internal controls are important, establishing strong controls for your government's accounts payable process is particularly critical for preventing errors and deterring or quickly detecting fraud. From maintaining master vendor files to preventing duplicate payments and transactions, accounts payable requires a robust set of internal controls for ensuring your government safeguards public resources.
The Center for Government Innovation, a service of the Office of the Washington State Auditor, has been working hard to provide local governments the tools they need.
Just released: Payroll Guide and Internal Controls Checklist
This new Payroll Guide includes a suite of short, one-to-two-page resources for different roles and topics. This guide has something for you, whether you are:
It's easy to assume larger local governments have no problems fully implementing best practices for segregation of duties. While segregating duties can be easier for larger governments with more employees, they can struggle with the process, too. The State Auditor's Office has some suggestions for navigating challenges on your journey to segregating duties!
“That's the department's responsibility!”
Updated: Sep 9, 2023
Through these challenging times, the Center for Government Innovation continues to help local governments solve problems and improve the value they provide to their community.
The Center for Government Innovation, a service to local governments provided by the Washington State Auditor's Office, has been working hard to bring some new resources to local governments, including cities. We'd like to tell you about a few new items, plus what's on the near horizon to be published!
Just released: Cash Receipting Guide