When payments to a government vendor rise unusually fast, it can create concerns about possible fraud or improper payments. However, steep increases in vendor payments can also be legitimate and appropriately approved, as a new performance audit found to be the case at one of Washington’s largest state agencies.

Podcast · Office of the Washington State Auditor · A podcast from the Office of the Washington State Auditor? Yes, your dream has come true. OK, maybe you think it will be about boring and complicated audit stuff but we plan to confound your expectations. Our goal with The Aud Pod is to give you some inside scoop on what we do, make our work easier to understand and also share how we help local and state governments along the way. Join us for some real #GoodGovernment talk. Email us any time at socialmedia@sao.wa.gov. Thanks for listening!

Seven months after a state audit flagged an estimated $37 million in questioned child care subsidy costs, Washington’s Department of Children, Youth and Familie

Human trafficking is an illegal practice that exploits people, ofte...

Hackers who broke into school computers, crashing the network and forcing classes to be canceled for a week, have now posted stolen personal data on a website.

At this year’s Washington Finance Officers Association (WFOA) conference in Kennewick, we’re here to connect with you and provide support and training all week long. Throughout the conference and beyond, this webpage serves as a hub for helpful articles, tools, resources and guidance created to supp…

New safeguards are in place for Washington special education students placed with private contractors, but gaps remain in those reforms. Some schools do not visit facilities in-person every year as required, and some state investigations are not conducted as quickly as they could be, a new performance audit found.

Spokane, Wash. — A service disruption at Spokane Public Schools put a spotlight on the growing cyber threats facing schools and government agencies.The district said the disruption happened on Sunday

At the Center for Government Innovation, we want you to get to know your local governments in Washington better. Come take a video tour all about governments in Washington; who they are and what they do. Have a suggestion for something you'd like to see? Get in contact with us at center@sao.wa.gov. Gov 101: Public Utility Districts Did you know that Public Utility Districts provide more than just electricity, water and wastewater management? Lean more about Washington PUD's in this short, educational video.

Seattle-area doctors are pleased that the vast majority of Washington kids are vaccinated, but worry as more children opt out of the state mandate altogether.

Technology is critical to providing public services, and audits from the State Auditor’s Office have become essential elements in overall government cybersecurity in the Evergreen state. Our Office developed a short overview of our work in cybersecurity in fiscal year 2026.

Brandi Pritchard, Director of SAO’s Division of Special Investigati...

Air Date: September 9, 2026 Mike McClanahan, TVW

At this year’s Washington Finance Officers Association (WFOA) conference in Kennewick, we’re here to connect with you and provide support and training all week long. Throughout the conference and beyond, this webpage serves as a hub for helpful articles, tools, resources and guidance created to supp…

State audits highlight alleged misuse of public funding that nearly drained one small town's bank account. From municipal cash withdrawals to missing

Among the audit’s findings: A phone number for victims to call for help was disconnected two years ago but is still listed in current trafficking awareness materials and cited in state law.

Modern mobile healthcare, with the feel of an old-fashioned house call, has arrived on this island. Where else in Washington might the model work?

The Port of Grays Harbor has received a clean audit opinion for calendar year 2025 from the Washington State Auditor’s Office [SAO], according to a press release issued by the Port.

A new open letter calls on governments, tech companies to act now.

Some of Washington state’s efforts to raise awareness about human trafficking are outdated, although agencies generally comply with state law.

Checklist for WA school districts to prepare and review financial statement in line with state accounting standards.