Stay Rooted in #GoodGovernment, WFOA 2021!

Sep 7, 2021

Updated: Sep 9, 2021

Hello, #WFOA21! We are happy to see you again this year, even virtually. Since we saw you last, SAO has worked diligently to create valuable tips, training and resources to help you stay rooted in #GoodGovernment. This year, we have sessions on keeping your internal controls strong in a remote work environment, navigating a federal single audit (especially if it is your first time), and working with SAO when you suspect a loss of public resources. We hope you'll attend our sessions to learn more.

Every year, we create a special edition of our Audit Connection newsletter for WFOA. In this issue, you'll hear from State Auditor Pat McCarthy, and you'll get access to a slew of SAO's latest resources and news. Click on the image below to turn the pages of our interactive issue. Just in case you like a physical copy, you can download a PDF of our WFOA Audit Connection newsletter to view and print. Our interactive issue also includes a PDF version (see the instructions on the last page of the PDF).

Resources to bookmark

Here are some highlights from the WFOA edition to help you stay rooted in #GoodGovernment.

Close up coffee table full with papers invoices cheque bills, female hands holding receipt calculating company expenses.

Emerging issue: How to calculate lost revenue for use of federal coronavirus funds

Hourglass time passing on table in room by window

Single audit alert: Updated guidance for due dates and items reported on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (SEFA)

Does your government sell electricity? If so, new audit engagements are coming your way

Think you're too small to segregate duties? Let's find out!

Larger governments struggle with segregating duties, too

New Resources Are Available, with More on the Way

Fall outreach and training

Now that all things pumpkin spice are available, grab your #PSL and this handy flier packed with details on SAO's fall training and outreach. You can also find this flier under the “Handouts” section in our booth.

Enter to receive a personalized training from SAO

Visit our booth during the 2021 WFOA conference and submit your government to be one of two governments selected to receive customized SAO training. One government will be selected each week of the conference to receive a personalized training in process improvement/change management, our Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT), accounting, or internal controls.

Chat with us

Visit our booth for a chance to chat with #WeAreSAO, and join State Auditor Pat McCarthy in her kitchen for a sip of #GoodGovernment (find the full recipe at the bottom of this post). Team SAO is monitoring our booth chat room. We are happy to answer any questions you have, or connect you to an SAO expert if you have technical questions.

Mark your calendars

Take a look at the sessions SAO is offering this year. Mark your calendars, so you don't forget to join!

Session Date Time
Pre-conference: Overview of SAO's Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting System (BARS) – Cash Basis
Speakers: Kayley Pagio, Vivian Vandenburg, Stacie Tellers		 Thursday, Sept. 9 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pre-conference: Overview of SAO's Budgeting, Accounting, and Reporting System (BARS) – GAAP Basis
Speakers: Christie Cowgill, Olivia Crouch, Debra Burleson		 Thursday, Sept. 9 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pre-conference: Ethics
Speaker: Scott Woelfle		 Thursday, Sept. 9 1 to 5 p.m.
BARS Update – Cash
Speakers: Christie Cowgill, Kayley Pagio, Stacie Tellers		 Tuesday, Sept. 14 1 to 1:50 p.m.
BARS Update – GAAP
Speakers: Christie Cowgill, Kayley Pagio, Stacie Tellers		 Tuesday, Sept. 14 2 to 2:50 p.m.
Keys to Cash Handling: Internal Control Risks and Rewards
Speaker: Debbie F. Pennick, CPA		 Thursday, Sept. 16 10:10 to 11:50 a.m.
SAO Audit Roundtable
Speakers: Kelly Collins, Tina Watkins, CPA, Brandi Pritchard, CFE		 Thursday, Sept. 16 1 to 1:50 p.m.
Leases for GAAP and Cash
Speakers: Debra Burleson, Olivia Crouch		 Thursday, Sept. 16 2 to 2:50 p.m.
Measurement, Metrics, and Mindset
Speakers: Steven Thomson, Niles Kostick		 Tuesday, Sept. 21 1 p.m. to 1:50 p.m.
Fighting Fraud – Fraud case studies and preparing for disaster so you can recover faster
Speakers: Stephanie Sullivan, Sarrah Superville		 Thursday, Sept. 23 10:10 to 11:50 a.m.
Single Audit
Speaker: Felicia DenAdel		 Thursday, Sept. 23 1 to 2:50 p.m.
Remote Work and Your Internal Controls
Speaker: Debbie F. Pennick, CPA		 Thursday, Sept. 23 2 to 2:50 p.m.

Spiced apple and pear cider recipe

Looking for the real cider recipe that inspired Auditor McCarthy's recipe for #GoodGovernment? Here's the actual video from The Carriage House: Cozy Fall Drinks to Make at Home! For your convenience, we've listed the ingredients and directions for this perfect fall beverage below.

Ingredients Directions
3-4 pears, cored and quartered
4-5 medium apples, cored and quartered
4 sticks cinnamon
1 tsp whole cloves
1 cup honey or brown sugar
Water		 1. Fill your slow cooker with the apples, pears, cinnamon, cloves, and enough water to fill to the brim.
2. Cook on low for eight hours.
3. Strain and mash all the fruit. Return liquid to slow cooker.
4. Stir in 1 cup honey or brown sugar. Cook on low for another hour to let sweetener combine with cider.
5. Serve warm and garnish with some apple chips or cinnamon.

Recipe courtesy of The Carriage House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iiifjIJuPTY&t=208s