The Audit Connection Blog
FDTA proposed rules public comment period is open
We highly encourage all local governments and associations to participate in the comment period for the phase one FDTA proposed rules. The act seeks to modernize the collection and dissemination of financial data by federal financial regulators by requiring information submitted to the agencies to be in a machine-readable format. ... CONTINUE READING
Jump-start your government’s cybersecurity program with our new IT policy guide
IT policies are the foundation of any strong cybersecurity program, and without them, local governments are at a higher risk of security breaches and other harmful cyber incidents. Our guide is designed to help local governments create effective IT policies and jump-start their cybersecurity program. ... CONTINUE READING
Preparing your school district’s financial reporting package? SAO’s updated 2023-24 review checklist can help
The end of summer also means the end of another school district fiscal year. We’re here to help you close the books and prepare your financial reporting package with our 2023-24 Checklist for Preparing and Reviewing School District Financial Statements. ... CONTINUE READING
Performance audit identifies gap in transferring college credit earned in high school
The State Auditor's Office has released a performance audit that looked at transferring college credits earned in high school through two popular dual credit programs. The audit found a major gap in the transmission of students’ transcripts to the institution in which they enroll: students who must submit their transcripts do not always do so. ... CONTINUE READING
Small city of Morton lost more than $900,000 over a decade, audit finds
The State Auditor's Office has released a fraud investigation report for the city of Morton that found the clerk-treasurer misappropriated more than $900,000 in public funds over nearly a decade, despite warning signs that improper activity was occurring. ... CONTINUE READING
Unveiling FIT's latest enhancements: school district data and the return of FIT’s most requested feature
For the first time ever, financial data for all 295 Washington public school districts is available in FIT. Additionally, FIT’s most requested feature has returned, with added improvements. All FIT users are once again able to explore the detailed breakdown of any government’s summary financials, and drill deeper into the data. ... CONTINUE READING
State has taken appropriate steps in transition to new financial system, but risks remain, audit finds
The State Auditor's Office has published a performance audit of the "One Washington" project that is modernizing the state's administrative financial reporting system. The audit offers recommendations to help the state mitigate the risks of the transition to ensure the new system can produce reliable and accurate financial statements. ... CONTINUE READING
Marysville School District’s financial condition jeopardizes future operations, audit finds
A recent audit from the State Auditor's Office reported that the Marysville School District's declining financial condition raises substantial doubt about its ability to keep operating. ... CONTINUE READING
Use our updated Best Practices for Tracking Small and Attractive Assets today, to prevent your assets from walking away tomorrow
Most governments own a variety of assets that they track and inventory, beyond what they do for financial reporting purposes. We call them small and attractive assets here in Washington state, and they tend to mysteriously disappear more than other asset types, due to their portability and attractiveness for personal use. Our updated guide, Best Practices for Small and Attractive Assets can help you navigate your options – so that you can develop a policy and set of internal controls that works for you. ... CONTINUE READING
Performance audit identifies key strategies to recruit and retain special education staff
A performance audit from the State Auditor's Office looked into the causes for why school districts across the state struggle to recruit and retain sufficient special education teachers and staff. The report offers some possible practices to improve recruitment and retention of special education employees. ... CONTINUE READING