The Audit Connection Blog
Increase your government’s account security with multi-factor authentication
Strengthening your government’s guard against the threats that compromised passwords pose is a necessary control for decreasing the risk of unauthorized users gaining access to your computers, network, or database. In this post, we explain how passwords get compromised and how multi-factor authentication (MFA) can help governments improve their account security to better protect their systems. ... CONTINUE READING
September quarterly update brings fresh data to FIT
With new annual report filings from nearly 200 governments across the state since June 30, we’re excited to share our first quarterly update of the 2020 fiscal year financial data in the Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT). ... CONTINUE READING
A message from State Auditor Pat McCarthy: Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility
It can be tempting to think it’s the experts’ job to keep us safe online. We trust our colleagues who are IT professionals and the technology services we use to stay up to date on the latest threats. But all of us, whether or not we are technology experts, have a part to play in cybersecurity. That’s why this year’s theme for October’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month is “Do your part, #BeCyberSmart.” ... CONTINUE READING
K&P leadership series: Enabling others to act
“Enabling others to act,” one of the five behaviors in the Kouzes and Posner (K&P) Leadership Challenge, can help you create an environment for your team that allows it to learn and grow while achieving your organization’s goals. Enabling others focuses on helping you foster collaboration and grow your self-confidence to strengthen others—important skills for new supervisors. ... CONTINUE READING
Survival tips for when you don’t have a procurement manager
Smaller governments frequently procure goods and services without a procurement manager. While smaller governments can get by without designated procurement managers for their daily operations, they occasionally take on larger projects like new building construction that can strain their limited resources. ... CONTINUE READING
Resource update: Checklist for school district financial statements
With the school district year-end financial report deadline just around the corner, we’ve updated our Preparation and Review Checklist for School District Financial Statements. The updated checklist will help school districts using the F-196 reporting model, modified accrual or cash basis. ... CONTINUE READING
Double count your way to better cash receipting controls
Looking for a way to improve your game when it comes to cash receipting internal controls? Add the double count to your arsenal. The double count is as easy as the name suggestions: money should never transfer from one employee to another without being counted and documented first. ... CONTINUE READING
K&P leadership series: Challenging the process
You were just promoted to your first management position. Congratulations! Now comes your opportunity to emulate the qualities you appreciated in your previous managers, and maybe avoid the qualities you didn’t admire. Either way, you are excited about the opportunities ahead, and hopefully, you recognize that you have big shoes to fill. ... CONTINUE READING
Washington State Auditor’s Office issues first workplace culture audit
Today the Office of the Washington State Auditor released a first-of-its-kind performance audit in the state: an in-depth review of a large state agency’s workplace culture. The audit of the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) is also one of the first of its kind in the nation to use the tools of government performance auditing to examine how work environment affects an agency’s ability to fulfill its mission. ... CONTINUE READING
New Resources Are Available, with More on the Way
The Center for Government Innovation is excited to announce the release of its new payroll guide. See how the new guide can help you improve your government's payroll processes, and get a sneak peak at our upcoming resources. ... CONTINUE READING