The Audit Connection Blog
Look to the future: Cash forecasting is key to strong financial controls
It is critical to forecast your cash inflows, outflows, and balances into the near-term future to anticipate liquidity shortfalls and remain solvent. Annual budgets tell you your spending authority for a year, whereas a cash forecast will tell you whether you have sufficient cash in the future on a month to month (or even daily) basis. ... CONTINUE READING
Process pros brew up Lean Coffee for the virtual workplace
COVID-19 has challenged many governments to consider remote work strategies and how their work processes would need to change. Process improvement specialists have started gathering – virtually – to share their experiences and lessons learned during the pandemic. We are calling these sessions “Virtual Lean Coffee.” ... CONTINUE READING
State Auditor announces special review of unemployment benefit fraud
State Auditor Pat McCarthy notified Gov. Jay Inslee and the state Legislature today that the Office of the Washington State Auditor will begin two special examinations of the significant fraud and loss of public funds at the state Employment Security Department. ... CONTINUE READING
5 reasons to step up your documentation
We’ve encouraged local governments to step up their documentation practices. If you still need convincing to document, document, document, here are five reasons you should do it. ... CONTINUE READING
How and when to seek SAO approval for a restitution agreement
State law requires local governments and state agencies to approval in writing from the State Auditor’s Office (SAO) and the Attorney General’s Office for settlement or compromise of any claim arising from misappropriation. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions to help you navigate this requirement. ... CONTINUE READING
Information from the Washington State Auditor about the state’s unemployment and Self-Employment Assistance Program (SEAP) fraud
Criminals, suspected to be part of an international crime ring, have targeted the state’s Employment Security Department and are filing fraudulent unemployment claims using the names and personal information of real people to steal public money. Here are a few questions and answers regarding this fraud. ... CONTINUE READING
Protect confidential information while working at home
As your employees continue to telework, they might be handling, transferring and storing confidential data at home differently than they did at their usual work location. Learn how to protect this information in this new work environment. ... CONTINUE READING
A message from State Auditor Pat McCarthy: Annual financial report filing deadline extended
As promised, I wanted to let you know as soon as possible that a limited extension of the annual financial report filing deadline has been approved by legislative leadership. The new filing deadline is June 17. ... CONTINUE READING
When exploring financial options, remember these considerations
Many governments are feeling the pressure on their general fund and looking at cost cutting and other measures. Here are some areas you might be looking at and some tips and resources to keep in mind. ... CONTINUE READING
Know your options: Allocating overhead costs can spread the burden among funds
A cost allocation plan takes some work to set up and carry out, but it can take some pressure off of the general fund. Here are some helpful tips and resources should you decide to go that route. ... CONTINUE READING