Follow best practice, state law when using third party receipting vendor

Many local governments use a third-party receipting vendor to provide electronic payment options to their constituents. Best practice – and state law (RCW 39.58.080) – require local governments to have all funds directly deposited into their Public Deposit Protection Commission (PDPC)-approved bank account.

If direct deposit into the local government's approved account is not an option, vendors still must remit funds to the government within 24 hours of receiving them. State law (RCW 43.09.240) allows the government's treasurer or Board to approve an exception of up to one week.

Vendors may offer to waive or discount service fees in exchange for holding a reserve of the local government's funds. However, this practice does not comply with state law: all funds, whether held for the short term or for long-term investment holdings, must be deposited into the PDPC-approved bank account.

Our Performance Center's website has more information regarding third-party receipting – http://bit.ly/2DiYB4a. If you have additional questions, please contact your local or state audit team audit managers.