The Audit Connection Blog
Newsletter gathers content for governments as Association of Washington Cities hosts conference
The latest issue of our newsletter looks at issues surrounding COVID-19, new resources for cities, fraud investigations and more. ... CONTINUE READING
New Resources for Cities Are Available, with More on the Way
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! ... CONTINUE READING
Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy will donate salary increase to The Other Bank Program
Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy announced Friday she will donate a scheduled salary increase to charity. ... CONTINUE READING
A message from State Auditor Pat McCarthy: Annual financial report filing deadline extended to July 1, 2020
Late Wednesday, June 17, legislative leadership surprised us with a second extension of the annual financial report filing deadline. The new filing deadline is July 1, 2020. ... CONTINUE READING
Look to the future: Cash forecasting is key to strong financial controls
It is critical to forecast your cash inflows, outflows, and balances into the near-term future to anticipate liquidity shortfalls and remain solvent. Annual budgets tell you your spending authority for a year, whereas a cash forecast will tell you whether you have sufficient cash in the future on a month to month (or even daily) basis. ... CONTINUE READING
Process pros brew up Lean Coffee for the virtual workplace
COVID-19 has challenged many governments to consider remote work strategies and how their work processes would need to change. Process improvement specialists have started gathering – virtually – to share their experiences and lessons learned during the pandemic. We are calling these sessions “Virtual Lean Coffee.” ... CONTINUE READING
State Auditor announces special review of unemployment benefit fraud
State Auditor Pat McCarthy notified Gov. Jay Inslee and the state Legislature today that the Office of the Washington State Auditor will begin two special examinations of the significant fraud and loss of public funds at the state Employment Security Department. ... CONTINUE READING
5 reasons to step up your documentation
We’ve encouraged local governments to step up their documentation practices. If you still need convincing to document, document, document, here are five reasons you should do it. ... CONTINUE READING
How and when to seek SAO approval for a restitution agreement
State law requires local governments and state agencies to approval in writing from the State Auditor’s Office (SAO) and the Attorney General’s Office for settlement or compromise of any claim arising from misappropriation. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help you navigate this requirement. ... CONTINUE READING
Information from the Washington State Auditor about the state’s unemployment and Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) fraud
Criminals, suspected to be part of an international crime ring, have targeted the state’s Employment Security Department and are filing fraudulent unemployment claims using the names and personal information of real people to steal public money. Here are a few questions and answers regarding this fraud. ... CONTINUE READING