@WaStateAuditor

Our Office works on behalf of the public to promote accountability and transparency of government in Washington state.

 Olympia, WA
sao.wa.gov
Joined October 2013
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1.5KMedia
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month—a reminder that strong government services start with strong security. From safeguarding resident data to defending critical infrastructure, every action counts. Learn how we can help: sao.wa.gov/improving-governm…
Cyber Security Awareness Month text with a digital lock icon and Washington State Auditor seal on a teal tech background.

ALT Cyber Security Awareness Month text with a digital lock icon and Washington State Auditor seal on a teal tech background.

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staysafeonline.org/articles/… Looking for a good Q&A on MFA? Look no further than this article from the National Cybersecurity Alliance. #CybersecurityAwarenessMonth

What is Multifactor Authentication (MFA) and How Do You Enable It? - National Cybersecurity Alliance

A guide to why you should use multifactor authentication, how to set it up, and why MFA is essential for your online safety today.

staysafeonline.org
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School districts must forecast enrollment well in advance of each school year but methods vary widely. Our new report reviews how districts make these projections, examines their importance and identifies leading practices to help improve accuracy: ow.ly/to6m50ZW0HT
Row of colorful school lockers in blue, yellow, pink, gray, and orange under fluorescent ceiling lights.

ALT Row of colorful school lockers in blue, yellow, pink, gray, and orange under fluorescent ceiling lights.

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Fall’s a great time to enjoy a nice pumpkin latte, not to fall for a phishing scheme. Learn how our Office can help your government shore up its cybersecurity: sao.wa.gov/improving-governm…
Tall paper coffee cup with whipped cream and cinnamon, featuring Washington State Auditor seal, pumpkin and coffee beans in background.

ALT Tall paper coffee cup with whipped cream and cinnamon, featuring Washington State Auditor seal, pumpkin and coffee beans in background.

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Think you’ve downloaded a virus, been hacked or experienced some other cyber-related incident? You can turn to this Cyber Survival Guide from the National Cybersecurity Alliance for help: staysafeonline.org/campaigns…
Logo featuring a mountainous landscape at sunset with the text 'Cyber Survival Guide' promoting online safety by the National Cybersecurity Alliance.

ALT Logo featuring a mountainous landscape at sunset with the text 'Cyber Survival Guide' promoting online safety by the National Cybersecurity Alliance.

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Performance audits are funded by taxpayer dollars as a result of voter-approved Initiative 900, and are designed to examine efficiency and effectiveness of government programs. Tune in Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. to see how our latest work helps serve the public: ow.ly/IW5250ZSkTi
Announcement for JLARC I-900 Subcommittee live stream on SAO Performance Audits scheduled for Wednesday, October 7 at 1 p.m.

ALT Announcement for JLARC I-900 Subcommittee live stream on SAO Performance Audits scheduled for Wednesday, October 7 at 1 p.m.

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Follow us on your favorite social media today and learn interesting tidbits about our work, staff, podcasts, breaking news…and of course our unofficial mascot, Theo the Wonder Corgi (duh). Find all of our social media links at sao.wa.gov/social
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Cybersecurity Awareness Month is here! Governments play a critical role in protecting public data and services, and during October we'll be highlighting simple steps agencies can take to strengthen cybersecurity. Learn about SAO's #BeCyberSmart program: ow.ly/pAfI50ZO5V3
Blue shield badge highlighting October as Cyber Security Awareness Month with #BeCyberSmart hashtag and a glowing lock symbol on a digital network background.

ALT Blue shield badge highlighting October as Cyber Security Awareness Month with #BeCyberSmart hashtag and a glowing lock symbol on a digital network background.

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We’re joining @WSCJTC and state partners for the 2026 LETCSA Annual Summits. Hear updates on training and independent investigations, ask questions and share feedback. Oct. 13 in Burien and Nov. 17 in Ellensburg. Online options also available. Learn more: cjtc.wa.gov/letcsa/annual-su…
Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission logo with LETCSA Annual Summits dates in Burien and Ellensburg, available in person and online.

ALT Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission logo with LETCSA Annual Summits dates in Burien and Ellensburg, available in person and online.

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DSHS works with 20,000+ vendors to support Washingtonians. Spending for over 600 showed rapid growth, including one with a 700% increase from 2021-25. Were rising costs justified and documented? Read our latest performance audit to learn what we found: ow.ly/EUg750ZSnHs
Wooden arrow chart rising upward placed on a pile of coins and dollar bills symbolizing financial growth.

ALT Wooden arrow chart rising upward placed on a pile of coins and dollar bills symbolizing financial growth.

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Our Office recognizes @chelanpud with a State Auditor’s Stewardship Award in acknowledgement of its commitment to financial stewardship of public funds including strengthening its internal controls to help protect public resources. #GoodGovernment
Award recognizing Chelan PUD for responsible stewardship of public funds by the Washington State Auditor.

ALT Award recognizing Chelan PUD for responsible stewardship of public funds by the Washington State Auditor.

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ow.ly/kQTx50ZOOHY Weren’t able to make it to Kennewick this year for the annual Washington Finance Officers Association (WFOA) annual conference? We have your back with our go-to resource hub you can reference any time! #GoodGovernment
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ow.ly/tVkl50ZQhFk New performance audit alert: Our experts reviewed how well OSPI and selected school districts are overseeing special education contracted services under the law passed in 2023 including what’s working, what’s not, and where improvements can be made.
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SAO Short 🎥 Listen to State Auditor Pat McCarthy discuss the importance of increasing the public’s trust in government and how our Office strives to do this every day. #GoodGovernment
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ow.ly/HGxm50ZOTt5 SAO’s new report highlights how our IT audits, cybersecurity services and outreach help protect government systems and safeguard Washingtonians’ digital data. Explore more today in our latest blog post.
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A uniform look and a united mission: SAO staff showed both today in matching Fighting Fraud T shirts during our Fighting Fraud Friday session at #WFOA2026. Our experts walked attendees through practical techniques and tools to strengthen their fraud prevention efforts.
Group photo of 20+ people wearing matching black shirts with a 'Fighting Fraud Friday' design, posing indoors in front of a stage.

ALT Group photo of 20+ people wearing matching black shirts with a 'Fighting Fraud Friday' design, posing indoors in front of a stage.

Large conference room filled with attendees listening to a speaker presenting bar charts on two large screens.

ALT Large conference room filled with attendees listening to a speaker presenting bar charts on two large screens.

Large conference room filled with attendees watching a speaker present colorful bar charts on two large projection screens.

ALT Large conference room filled with attendees watching a speaker present colorful bar charts on two large projection screens.

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Scott Frank, SAO’s Director of Performance and IT Audit, recently spoke with our governmental finance colleagues at #WFOA2026 about artificial intelligence and its effect on transforming how organizations think, act and deliver value. Thank you for sharing your expertise, Scott!
A speaker presents a slide on AI and organizational implementation to an attentive audience in a conference room.

ALT A speaker presents a slide on AI and organizational implementation to an attentive audience in a conference room.

Large group of people seated in rows attending a presentation in a conference room with a speaker at the front.

ALT Large group of people seated in rows attending a presentation in a conference room with a speaker at the front.

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Financial colleagues, start your engines! SAO’s Felicia DenAdel led things off during the first full day of #WFOA2026 with an informative presentation about the federal single audit process and compliance requirements for local governments. Shout out to the packed house!
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Performance audits are designed to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs on behalf of the public, and the result of voter-approved Initiative 900. Interested in what we’ve been working on? Tune in Wednesday: ow.ly/gi1F50ZL2VO
Announcement for a live stream of the Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits on Wednesday, September 16 at 1 p.m.

ALT Announcement for a live stream of the Committee to Hear SAO Performance Audits on Wednesday, September 16 at 1 p.m.

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ow.ly/Zkka50ZMEMi Brandi Pritchard of SAO’s Special Investigations Division joins @TVWnews' The Impact to discuss recent fraud cases, common red flags, and how governments can better safeguard public funds.
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