Lacey aces 2023 accountability audit 

The Washington State Auditor's Office reported to Lacey city management on Monday, October 28, that the city was in compliance with with state regulations and its own policies during 2023.

The State Auditor’s Office met with some of the city’s high-ranking officials to share the results of the city’s 2023 accountability report. 

Kecia Rhodes, the State Auditor’s Office audit lead, explained that an accountability audit determines whether a city complied with “state laws, regulations, contracts, grant agreements, and its own policies and procedures.”

It also checks whether a city has “adequate controls to safeguard public funds.” 

“Our audit found the city's operations complied in all material respects with applicable state laws, regulations and its own policies, and provided adequate controls over the safeguarding of public resources,” Rhodes told management. 

A draft audit report states that the audit did not examine every transaction, activity, or policy by the city following general auditing practices. Instead, a risk-based approach was utilized to evaluate select areas with the highest risk of fraud, loss, abuse, or non-compliance. 

Rhodes said the chosen areas were payroll, accounts receivable, and cash receipts. The report also mentioned the use of restricted funds, accounts payable, and open public meetings. 

Program Manager Lisa Carrell told city management that the State Auditor’s Office will publish the final audit report on its website in the next one or two weeks. The public may sign up for news alerts through the website to be notified when the audit is ready. 

The accountability audit is the last of the three state audits for the city this year. Previous audits can be found on the State Auditor’s Office’s website.  

Carrell mentioned they will try to consolidate all three audits into one for next year, as requested by city staff.