Spring will be here before you know it, and so will the annual report deadline for local governments whose fiscal year ends December 31, 2018. For those governments, annual reports are due May 30, 2019. State law does not provide for any exceptions, so we recommend starting the filing process early, and we are available to help.
… CONTINUE READING →
If you are a local government in Washington state, you may be aware of RCW 39.34.030, which allows governments to use other agencies’ contracts to buy goods and services – also called “piggybacking.” But what you might not be aware of are the potential pitfalls of piggybacking, which can land you in some big trouble.
… CONTINUE READING →
The results from our recent cybersecurity survey are in, and they reveal governments of all sizes across Washington recognize the importance of cybersecurity. However, the majority of the governments we polled lack dedicated IT staff, let alone dedicated cybersecurity staff. To address this gap in expertise and resources, the Office of the Washington State Auditor has begun to develop resources, tools and training targeted at the specific cybersecurity issues of local governments.
… CONTINUE READING →
Local governments should ensure they protect against cybersecurity frauds in which an employee’s direct deposit payroll gets redirected to a fraudster’s bank account.
… CONTINUE READING →
The Performance Center’s years of working with local governments all across Washington has given the Center an unprecedented understanding of the needs of local governments. Our targeted, customized approach to process improvement work not only helps local governments succeed in their chosen process, but gives them the depth of understanding they need to foster a Lean culture within.
… CONTINUE READING →
Governments in Washington must exercise care when creating and implementing programs to compensate employees beyond their base salary.
This article offers items to consider specific to performance-based incentive pay. The following is intended for informational purposes only – always consult your government’s attorney for specific legal advice on these matters.
… CONTINUE READING →
Two fire protection districts received a State Auditor’s Office Stewardship Award (SASA) from State Auditor Pat McCarthy this week for their dedication to improving government for the residents of Washington state.
… CONTINUE READING →
Government organizations have become increasingly dependent on computerized information systems to carry out their operations. These systems process, store and share sensitive and confidential information, including personal and financial data, in order to deliver services to residents.
… CONTINUE READING →
BBB. Recently, the Performance Center provided several resources on accounting for capital assets to help local governments with financial reporting. Another group of assets, which fall below a government’s capitalization threshold, should also be considered when establishing and evaluating asset policies and other internal controls. In Washington, we frequently refer to these as “small and attractive assets,” but they these could be described using different terminology.
… CONTINUE READING →
Presented by the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) and sponsored by the State Auditor’s Office Performance Center, this webinar is for elected officials, managers, information technology and other staff working to keep electronic systems safe from outside interference. Share this information with your co-workers and elected officials in order to get the most out of this opportunity!
… CONTINUE READING →
