COVID-19 Guidance Toolkit helps you navigate shifting reporting and accounting landscape

In keeping with our shared commitment to government transparency and accountability, the Office of the Washington State Auditor recently released our new COVID-19 Guidance Toolkit.

You can find it on our website at sao.wa.gov/coronavirus, or click the links on our homepage.

The guidance toolkit includes a wealth of information for local governments and state agencies about the federal CARES Act, auditing guidance, accounting and reporting resources and more.

As a webpage, the toolkit is designed to make finding the resources you need simple and straightforward. And it goes beyond accounting, reporting and auditing guidance to include links to trainings and articles on re-imagining the workplace.

All of us, professionally and personally, are dealing with this unprecedented pandemic on many levels. In a recent conference of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers, a speaker remarked that those of us in government are often a little reticent to change things. Washington has long been forward-thinking, but it's true that the change we've all experienced has come at a more rapid pace than anyone would have planned.

Local governments have adjusted operations and approaches during the past few months. SAO also has adjusted our approach to auditing remotely, and have put together some tips on how to make your remote audit successful (see story on page 6). These changes to auditing and the COVID-19 guidance toolkit reflect our own determination to stay nimble and responsive to you in these times as well as our belief in making relevant information as accessible as possible.

We remain involved in national and state discussions regarding the CARES Act and other important accountability topics. And we are committed to
sharing news, information and resources to help you navigate new challenges.