WFOA 2025 resource hub: Tools, tips and training from SAO

The Office of the Washington State Auditor looks forward to connecting with you at this year’s Washington Finance Officers Association (WFOA) conference in Bellevue! We put together this page to be your go-to resource hub for relevant topics to reference later, such as our brand-new fraud prevention guide! Read on for practical tools and updates to support the important work you do for your community. It’s everything referenced by our conference brochure – and more – all in one convenient place.

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New and updated resources for fighting fraud, IT policies and more

Follow the Money: A practical guide to reviewing government bank statements to stop fraud in its tracks. A simple scan of banking transactions can be the difference between deterring loss and identifying it early, or having it go undetected for a long period of time. To help you stop potential fraud, we have designed an approach to statement reviews that can take as little as 30 minutes a month.

Essentials of managing federal awards. It can be challenging to navigate federal requirements and create internal controls to ensure you follow them. Our guide to federal award compliance covers key areas such as procurement, suspension and debarment, and equipment. This handbook accompanies our regular federal awards training (both at WFOA and throughout the year) but can be downloaded for free anytime.

Updated financial statement preparation checklist. To assist cash-basis governments in compiling their annual financial reports, we will publish an updated financial statement preparation checklist early next year. The checklist will include new sections and questions for the most significant changes for cash-basis governments' 2026 financial reporting.

It starts with policy: A guide to jump-starting your cybersecurity program. Updated in June, this guide outlines the policy needs and responsibilities for four key users: leadership, employees, managed service providers, and other vendors or third parties. We also included a list of recommended policies and links to resources to help you create them. Download a copy to jump-start your government’s cybersecurity program.

FIT: The Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT) is packed with financial data for more than 2,000 local governments throughout Washington state. In FIT, data is updated regularly, and is easily accessible in an interactive, mobile-friendly tool that allows you to explore how local governments handle their money – your public dollars. Easily filter and customize your view to find just what you’re looking for.

The Center for Government Innovation, a service of the Office of the Washington State Auditor

Cyber checkups: Local governments are increasingly becoming attractive targets for cyber criminals because of the vast amounts of sensitive data they maintain about employees, infrastructure and their residents. That’s why the Center created the #BeCyberSmart program, which includes free checkups and resources, to help local governments improve their cyber health.

Lean services: The Center’s Lean specialists can help you make your government’s work processes more effective and sustainable. Whether it’s permitting, payroll, purchasing or any other workflow, we can help you develop unique solutions that mean greater success for your government. Email Center@sao.wa.gov to schedule a no-cost Lean experience or to learn more about the following Center services.

Internal controls training: Is your government struggling to improve internal control processes? The Center provides free, specialized group trainings to help prevent small government fraud. Trainings provide fraud prevention tips and best practices, access to free tools and resources, and a Q & A session with SAO’s internal controls expert Debbie Pennick, CPA.

Change payment requests: Six signs of a cyber scam

Washington governments lost more than $36 million between 2016 and 2024 when government employees didn’t spot fraudulent “change payment” requests. If you weren’t able to snag a full-size version of our “Change payment requests: Six signs of a scam" poster at our Fighting Fraud general session, we have you covered! You can print and display a smaller version from our website.

Local Government Support (LGS): BARS Manual annual update trainings are coming soon!

• Watch for our announcement of the fully updated Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System (BARS) Manual later this year.
• Visit our training and workshops page for current eLearnings such as the Introduction to Governmental Accounting series as well as an Overview of Annual Report Requirements, for both cash and GAAP basis governments.
• Questions about BARS Manual updates and annual report filing trainings? Email LGCSFeedback@sao.wa.gov

For more help/how to contact us

• Remember, SAO is here to support you! Our Resource Library is packed with a variety of free guides, checklists, best practices and tools to assist Washington governments to improve internal controls, grants management, procurement practices, financial reporting and cybersecurity. 
• If you have specific technical accounting questions, submit them using our HelpDesk in the client portal. 
• You can also look up your government’s assigned audit team on our website to access their contact information.

Come to our sessions

Take a look at the sessions the State Auditor’s Office is offering this year. Be sure to check the Guidebook app for the most up-to-date times, room numbers and session materials.