Annual report: How SAO advanced the mission of good government in 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic rolled on through 2021, Washington's public auditors kept up their essential work. The Office of the Washington State Auditor continued working closely—and remotely—with local governments and state agencies to ensure accountability and transparency for public resources.

As the year comes to an end, please click through our interactive annual report for fiscal year 2021 below. You will learn we conducted more than 2,300 audits on the public's behalf this year, including a significant body of work on a massive unemployment fraud scheme and a first-of-its-kind audit of a state agency's workplace culture.

One item we're particularly proud of: This was a record year for our Office's HelpDesk, which received more requests from local governments than ever before. We take seriously our role as a resource to Washington's governments, and it was a pleasure to help everyone who asked.

Finally, we offer a preview of what SAO will do this coming year, including more audits of increased federal funding, new audits related to law enforcement's use of deadly force, and a look at best practices for handling mail-in ballots. Here is a PDF version of the document.

We want to hear from you. Questions, comments or concerns? Email webmaster@sao.wa.gov.