Office of the Washington State Auditor
@wastateauditor.bsky.social
Working on behalf of the public to promote accountability and transparency of government in Washington state. Learn more at https://sao.wa.gov.
https://youtu.be/o2hypOyaHZk?si=Xx1PsDQUQKxU2kVY
Why do people commit fraud? This informative video from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) explores why, and how organizations can prevent it.
#fraudweek
Why do people commit fraud? This informative video from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) explores why, and how organizations can prevent it.
#fraudweek
November 17, 2025 at 10:15 PM
https://youtu.be/o2hypOyaHZk?si=Xx1PsDQUQKxU2kVY
Why do people commit fraud? This informative video from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) explores why, and how organizations can prevent it.
#fraudweek
Why do people commit fraud? This informative video from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) explores why, and how organizations can prevent it.
#fraudweek
Listen to our latest episode of The Aud Pod podcast as SAO’s Assistant Director of Special Investigations, Brandi Pritchard, discusses the state of fraud in government, emerging trends, real life cases and more.
Fighting fraud in government: How SAO’s efforts help protect public resources
The Aud Pod · Episode
open.spotify.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Listen to our latest episode of The Aud Pod podcast as SAO’s Assistant Director of Special Investigations, Brandi Pritchard, discusses the state of fraud in government, emerging trends, real life cases and more.
Statistics show social media posts with pets are 17% more likely to be read.
Now that we have your attention here’s another stat: Local governments incur an average loss of $125,000 per fraud occurrence. See our fraud-prevention resources: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Fraud-Prevention
Now that we have your attention here’s another stat: Local governments incur an average loss of $125,000 per fraud occurrence. See our fraud-prevention resources: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Fraud-Prevention
November 17, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Statistics show social media posts with pets are 17% more likely to be read.
Now that we have your attention here’s another stat: Local governments incur an average loss of $125,000 per fraud occurrence. See our fraud-prevention resources: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Fraud-Prevention
Now that we have your attention here’s another stat: Local governments incur an average loss of $125,000 per fraud occurrence. See our fraud-prevention resources: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Fraud-Prevention
This year marks the 25th year of Fraud Awareness Week, and we’re proud to represent a long-standing community of fraud fighters! As part of our efforts, we're also proud to offer great resources at no charge to local governments like this: https://ow.ly/BvlM50X8ONo
November 17, 2025 at 5:20 PM
This year marks the 25th year of Fraud Awareness Week, and we’re proud to represent a long-standing community of fraud fighters! As part of our efforts, we're also proud to offer great resources at no charge to local governments like this: https://ow.ly/BvlM50X8ONo
Here's a custom Wordle puzzle to get you tuned up for Fraud Awareness Week next week! #FraudWeek
Wordle Puzzle Created By SAO
Choose a word for friends to guess, then share your own puzzle.
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Here's a custom Wordle puzzle to get you tuned up for Fraud Awareness Week next week! #FraudWeek
Fraud Awareness Weeks starts in 48 hours (ish), but we got a head start with our latest e-newsletter that’s packed with fraud prevention tips, tools and more. Read all about it and sign up to start receiving news and updates from our Office today: https://conta.cc/496YdUe
November 14, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Fraud Awareness Weeks starts in 48 hours (ish), but we got a head start with our latest e-newsletter that’s packed with fraud prevention tips, tools and more. Read all about it and sign up to start receiving news and updates from our Office today: https://conta.cc/496YdUe
Fraud Awareness Week is almost here! It’s a full week, Nov. 16-22, dedicated to raising awareness about fraud in government organizations, businesses and communities. It's also about educating people on how to prevent fraud.
See what's in store: https://ow.ly/7zsX50XputJ
See what's in store: https://ow.ly/7zsX50XputJ
November 13, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Fraud Awareness Week is almost here! It’s a full week, Nov. 16-22, dedicated to raising awareness about fraud in government organizations, businesses and communities. It's also about educating people on how to prevent fraud.
See what's in store: https://ow.ly/7zsX50XputJ
See what's in store: https://ow.ly/7zsX50XputJ
Promoting accountability and transparency in government takes hundreds of hard-working, dedicated public servants—like the SAOers we recently recognized for their milestones, achievements and certifications with our Office. Thank you for serving Washingtonians! #WeAreSAO
November 13, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Promoting accountability and transparency in government takes hundreds of hard-working, dedicated public servants—like the SAOers we recently recognized for their milestones, achievements and certifications with our Office. Thank you for serving Washingtonians! #WeAreSAO
Are you attending the Washington State Association of Counties Leaders Conference Nov. 18-20 in Spokane? If so, you won't want to miss SAO's Lean session dedicated to maximizing existing resources to boost efficiency.
Learn more about our no-charge Lean services today: https://ow.ly/9CY650XqMMS
Learn more about our no-charge Lean services today: https://ow.ly/9CY650XqMMS
November 13, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Are you attending the Washington State Association of Counties Leaders Conference Nov. 18-20 in Spokane? If so, you won't want to miss SAO's Lean session dedicated to maximizing existing resources to boost efficiency.
Learn more about our no-charge Lean services today: https://ow.ly/9CY650XqMMS
Learn more about our no-charge Lean services today: https://ow.ly/9CY650XqMMS
If published reports aren't for you, you can still learn about our recent performance audit work in this video presentation by SAO experts to lawmakers earlier this month. Grab some popcorn and enjoy!
Special Education Services—Comparing student needs to district funding: SAO Performance Audit
Properly identifying students eligible for special education services is critical for determining how federal and state funding is applied. In the 2023-24 sc...
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 11:45 PM
If published reports aren't for you, you can still learn about our recent performance audit work in this video presentation by SAO experts to lawmakers earlier this month. Grab some popcorn and enjoy!
https://ow.ly/lKmH50XpKZl
ICYMI: Our published report cited in this story by whid can be found on our website: https://ow.ly/F6qU50XpKZm
ICYMI: Our published report cited in this story by whid can be found on our website: https://ow.ly/F6qU50XpKZm
State Auditor issues finding against ICOM | South Whidbey Record
The financial statements audit report covers the period of Jan. 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2023.
ow.ly
November 12, 2025 at 5:10 PM
https://ow.ly/lKmH50XpKZl
ICYMI: Our published report cited in this story by whid can be found on our website: https://ow.ly/F6qU50XpKZm
ICYMI: Our published report cited in this story by whid can be found on our website: https://ow.ly/F6qU50XpKZm
"I encourage all of us to take a moment to recognize the veterans in our lives – coworkers, neighbors, friends and family members. Choosing to place the needs of the nation above one’s own is no small act, and we remain grateful for those who have done so."
– State Auditor Pat McCarthy
– State Auditor Pat McCarthy
November 10, 2025 at 9:01 PM
"I encourage all of us to take a moment to recognize the veterans in our lives – coworkers, neighbors, friends and family members. Choosing to place the needs of the nation above one’s own is no small act, and we remain grateful for those who have done so."
– State Auditor Pat McCarthy
– State Auditor Pat McCarthy
Learn more about our performance audit cited in this story: https://ow.ly/luOm50XnwPe
Schools face shortfall in special ed funding | Whidbey News-Times
Military families with special needs children are intentionally assigned to NAS Whidbey Island.
ow.ly
November 6, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Learn more about our performance audit cited in this story: https://ow.ly/luOm50XnwPe
https://tvw.org/2025/10/state-auditor-on-scouting-digital-fences-in-the-age-of-ai/
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is technically over but our Office continues its work to help governments shore up their IT infrastructure. Learn more in this interview from last month on TVW.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is technically over but our Office continues its work to help governments shore up their IT infrastructure. Learn more in this interview from last month on TVW.
State Auditor on Scouting Digital Fences in the Age of AI - TVW
The Washington State Auditor’s cybersecurity leader has a ballpark figure about how often ransomware cases happen in Washington, but some of it goes unreported.
tvw.org
November 6, 2025 at 5:40 PM
https://tvw.org/2025/10/state-auditor-on-scouting-digital-fences-in-the-age-of-ai/
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is technically over but our Office continues its work to help governments shore up their IT infrastructure. Learn more in this interview from last month on TVW.
Cybersecurity Awareness Month is technically over but our Office continues its work to help governments shore up their IT infrastructure. Learn more in this interview from last month on TVW.
There's A LOT to learn when a new government official first takes office. Where to begin? Glad you asked. Our recently updated blog post includes some great guidance and key resources for new and seasoned elected and appointed officials alike.
New to government? Our resources for newly elected officials offer some great guidance | Office of the Washington State Auditor
This blog post was originally published in October 2023. We've recently updated some of the content and links to make them more relevant. What’s new:
www.sao.wa.gov
November 5, 2025 at 8:05 PM
There's A LOT to learn when a new government official first takes office. Where to begin? Glad you asked. Our recently updated blog post includes some great guidance and key resources for new and seasoned elected and appointed officials alike.
How does our state do when it comes to serving the more than 140,000 students that need special education services?
Tune in to TVW Wednesday at https://ow.ly/Hiy650Xitc3 and find out as our experts present the results of our latest performance audit that examined this very question.
Tune in to TVW Wednesday at https://ow.ly/Hiy650Xitc3 and find out as our experts present the results of our latest performance audit that examined this very question.
November 3, 2025 at 8:10 PM
How does our state do when it comes to serving the more than 140,000 students that need special education services?
Tune in to TVW Wednesday at https://ow.ly/Hiy650Xitc3 and find out as our experts present the results of our latest performance audit that examined this very question.
Tune in to TVW Wednesday at https://ow.ly/Hiy650Xitc3 and find out as our experts present the results of our latest performance audit that examined this very question.
🎃SAOers from our offices around the state gathered this week to celebrate the spookiest of seasons 👻with costume contests, treats, and a cornucopia of donations to local food banks. Way to show that SAO spirit!
October 31, 2025 at 10:55 PM
🎃SAOers from our offices around the state gathered this week to celebrate the spookiest of seasons 👻with costume contests, treats, and a cornucopia of donations to local food banks. Way to show that SAO spirit!
The last day of Cybersecurity Awareness Month falls on Halloween, but it’s a great reminder not to fall for phishing scams and other schemes orchestrated by bad actors.
Visit our library of free cybersecurity resources for governments today: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Cybersecurity
Visit our library of free cybersecurity resources for governments today: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Cybersecurity
October 31, 2025 at 6:45 PM
The last day of Cybersecurity Awareness Month falls on Halloween, but it’s a great reminder not to fall for phishing scams and other schemes orchestrated by bad actors.
Visit our library of free cybersecurity resources for governments today: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Cybersecurity
Visit our library of free cybersecurity resources for governments today: https://www.sao.wa.gov/resource-library/Cybersecurity
With Cybersecurity Awareness Month coming to a close, we thought we’d leave you with a handy tip sheet to print, ponder and put into practice. Read more and download it today: https://intellipaat.com/blog/cyber-security-tips-best-practices/
October 30, 2025 at 7:40 PM
With Cybersecurity Awareness Month coming to a close, we thought we’d leave you with a handy tip sheet to print, ponder and put into practice. Read more and download it today: https://intellipaat.com/blog/cyber-security-tips-best-practices/
Shout out to SAOers in Olympia for getting together earlier this week for a Halloween-theme lunch featuring a costume contest and potluck competition. (With all the great food, really, everyone was a winner!)
Staff also coordinated donations for the Thurston County Food Bank. #ScaryFunAtSAO
Staff also coordinated donations for the Thurston County Food Bank. #ScaryFunAtSAO
October 30, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Shout out to SAOers in Olympia for getting together earlier this week for a Halloween-theme lunch featuring a costume contest and potluck competition. (With all the great food, really, everyone was a winner!)
Staff also coordinated donations for the Thurston County Food Bank. #ScaryFunAtSAO
Staff also coordinated donations for the Thurston County Food Bank. #ScaryFunAtSAO
This month our performance auditors presented their work related to lawmakers in front of the JLARC 1-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits. Check out the video and see how we're working hard to benefit Washingtonians!
Earlier
Earlier
Improving Performance Management in Economic Development Programs: SAO Performance Audit
The Department of Commerce is in charge of millions of dollars allocated by the Legislature in fiscal years 2024-25 to promote our state’s economic vitality ...
youtu.be
October 29, 2025 at 7:05 PM
This month our performance auditors presented their work related to lawmakers in front of the JLARC 1-900 Subcommittee for SAO Performance Audits. Check out the video and see how we're working hard to benefit Washingtonians!
Earlier
Earlier
ICYMI: The Kitsap Sun recently reported on efforts to reduce 911 calls, citing our performance audit work in its coverage. Our published report can be found here: https://sao.wa.gov/reports-data/audit-reports/reducing-nonemergency-use-emergency-systems
Prevention efforts to lower 911 calls in Kitsap cited as a need across the state
A program Kitsap responders use to proactively contact high-need individuals was cited as an example more Washington counties should adopt.
www.kitsapsun.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:25 PM
ICYMI: The Kitsap Sun recently reported on efforts to reduce 911 calls, citing our performance audit work in its coverage. Our published report can be found here: https://sao.wa.gov/reports-data/audit-reports/reducing-nonemergency-use-emergency-systems
Dying to know what cemetery districts are and why they matter? Dig up more details about these little-known local governments that use taxpayer dollars with our Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT) including revenues, expenses and more: https://ow.ly/s7Wv50X18qJ
October 28, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Dying to know what cemetery districts are and why they matter? Dig up more details about these little-known local governments that use taxpayer dollars with our Financial Intelligence Tool (FIT) including revenues, expenses and more: https://ow.ly/s7Wv50X18qJ
In this special edition of SAO's exclusive podcast, we present highlights of a radio interview with State Auditor Pat McCarthy on News Radio 610 KONA as she discusses the importance of independent auditing in today’s political climate and more. #GoodGovernment
State Auditor Pat McCarthy radio interview highlights on KONA 610
The Aud Pod · Episode
open.spotify.com
October 28, 2025 at 6:50 PM
In this special edition of SAO's exclusive podcast, we present highlights of a radio interview with State Auditor Pat McCarthy on News Radio 610 KONA as she discusses the importance of independent auditing in today’s political climate and more. #GoodGovernment
Government fraud. Ransomware attacks. Wasteful dollars. Find out how our Office is helping local governments defend against these misconducts on this episode of TVW’s “The Impact,” with State Auditor Pat McCarthy and SAO's Performance and IT Audit Director Scott Frank.
State Auditor Pat McCarthy and SAO’s Director of Performance and IT Audit Scott Frank interview
In October 2025 State Auditor Pat McCarthy and Director of Performance and IT Audit, Scott Frank, appeared with host Mike McClanahan on TVW’s show, “The Impa...
youtu.be
October 27, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Government fraud. Ransomware attacks. Wasteful dollars. Find out how our Office is helping local governments defend against these misconducts on this episode of TVW’s “The Impact,” with State Auditor Pat McCarthy and SAO's Performance and IT Audit Director Scott Frank.