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.
SAO's Aud Pod podcast is the gift that keeps on giving! Check out some of our episodes from 2025 on Spotify or where you get your favorite podcasts: https://ow.ly/MPnY50XH2nL
December 19, 2025 at 12:05 AM
SAO's Aud Pod podcast is the gift that keeps on giving! Check out some of our episodes from 2025 on Spotify or where you get your favorite podcasts: https://ow.ly/MPnY50XH2nL
Thank you to the Puget Sound Finance Officers Association (PSFOA) for hosting its annual holiday luncheon last week and having State Auditor Pat McCarthy as the featured speaker!
We appreciate the chance to celebrate with our partners in #GoodGovernment!
We appreciate the chance to celebrate with our partners in #GoodGovernment!
December 18, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Thank you to the Puget Sound Finance Officers Association (PSFOA) for hosting its annual holiday luncheon last week and having State Auditor Pat McCarthy as the featured speaker!
We appreciate the chance to celebrate with our partners in #GoodGovernment!
We appreciate the chance to celebrate with our partners in #GoodGovernment!
View our openings and apply today: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/sao
December 17, 2025 at 12:55 AM
View our openings and apply today: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/sao
Thank you to Whitworth University for having SAO’s fraud prevention specialist Alex Lycan (pictured) and Assistant State Auditor Dylan Wharton (behind the camera) on campus! We appreciate the opportunity to discuss our work with students.
Learn more about careers here: https://ow.ly/HzHt50XCfBe
Learn more about careers here: https://ow.ly/HzHt50XCfBe
December 12, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Thank you to Whitworth University for having SAO’s fraud prevention specialist Alex Lycan (pictured) and Assistant State Auditor Dylan Wharton (behind the camera) on campus! We appreciate the opportunity to discuss our work with students.
Learn more about careers here: https://ow.ly/HzHt50XCfBe
Learn more about careers here: https://ow.ly/HzHt50XCfBe
Looking to add to your winter reading list? Our recently published fraud investigation report tells the story of a small-town multi-scheme misappropriation totaling more than $75,000. Download it today: https://ow.ly/g3vW50XAchG
December 11, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Looking to add to your winter reading list? Our recently published fraud investigation report tells the story of a small-town multi-scheme misappropriation totaling more than $75,000. Download it today: https://ow.ly/g3vW50XAchG
See how the city of Monroe learned to be Lean with free process-improvement services from our Office in this two-page Lean case study (PDF): https://ow.ly/g3rB50XxG76
See how we can help your government improve its operations: https://ow.ly/oLTU50XxG72
See how we can help your government improve its operations: https://ow.ly/oLTU50XxG72
December 8, 2025 at 11:00 PM
See how the city of Monroe learned to be Lean with free process-improvement services from our Office in this two-page Lean case study (PDF): https://ow.ly/g3rB50XxG76
See how we can help your government improve its operations: https://ow.ly/oLTU50XxG72
See how we can help your government improve its operations: https://ow.ly/oLTU50XxG72
Click. Learn. Repeat. Washington Association of County Officals makes it easy with their Education Hub: https://countyofficials.org/197/Education-Hub
December 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Click. Learn. Repeat. Washington Association of County Officals makes it easy with their Education Hub: https://countyofficials.org/197/Education-Hub
ICYMI: Fraud Awareness Week (Nov. 16-22, 2025) was officially recognized by Gov. Bob Ferguson!
Fighting fraud is a 24-7-365 job (366 during Leap Year) so we encourage governments to take advantage of our free online fraud prevention resources: https://ow.ly/ImzR50XA9pV
Fighting fraud is a 24-7-365 job (366 during Leap Year) so we encourage governments to take advantage of our free online fraud prevention resources: https://ow.ly/ImzR50XA9pV
December 2, 2025 at 11:00 PM
ICYMI: Fraud Awareness Week (Nov. 16-22, 2025) was officially recognized by Gov. Bob Ferguson!
Fighting fraud is a 24-7-365 job (366 during Leap Year) so we encourage governments to take advantage of our free online fraud prevention resources: https://ow.ly/ImzR50XA9pV
Fighting fraud is a 24-7-365 job (366 during Leap Year) so we encourage governments to take advantage of our free online fraud prevention resources: https://ow.ly/ImzR50XA9pV
Do our state's charter schools make the grade when it comes to identifying and serving at-risk students? See what our performance auditors found out when we present our latest work to lawmakers this Wednesday, Dec. 3, via TVW livestream: https://ow.ly/hHfM50Xx5Ck
December 1, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Do our state's charter schools make the grade when it comes to identifying and serving at-risk students? See what our performance auditors found out when we present our latest work to lawmakers this Wednesday, Dec. 3, via TVW livestream: https://ow.ly/hHfM50Xx5Ck
In the spirit of togetherness, kindness and appreciation, we wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
November 26, 2025 at 9:01 PM
In the spirit of togetherness, kindness and appreciation, we wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Thank you to Washington State Association of Counties for having SAO’s Lean expert, Cami Jones, at the County Leaders Conference earlier this month!
Cami’s presentation focused on strategies governments can use to help boost efficiency. Learn more: https://ow.ly/WwQL50XuswQ
Cami’s presentation focused on strategies governments can use to help boost efficiency. Learn more: https://ow.ly/WwQL50XuswQ
November 26, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Thank you to Washington State Association of Counties for having SAO’s Lean expert, Cami Jones, at the County Leaders Conference earlier this month!
Cami’s presentation focused on strategies governments can use to help boost efficiency. Learn more: https://ow.ly/WwQL50XuswQ
Cami’s presentation focused on strategies governments can use to help boost efficiency. Learn more: https://ow.ly/WwQL50XuswQ
Congratulations to The Evergreen State College for receiving a State Auditor’s Stewardship Award in recognition of its dedication to accountability and transparency in government. We appreciate the College’s collaboration and commitment to #GoodGovernment!
November 25, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Congratulations to The Evergreen State College for receiving a State Auditor’s Stewardship Award in recognition of its dedication to accountability and transparency in government. We appreciate the College’s collaboration and commitment to #GoodGovernment!
We’ve talked all week—Fraud Awareness Week for those of you keeping score at home—about fighting fraud, so it seemed only appropriate we end the week with this great leave-behind from ACFE entitled, “How to be a fraud fighter in your organization.” https://ow.ly/SxQf50X9vG3
November 21, 2025 at 10:00 PM
We’ve talked all week—Fraud Awareness Week for those of you keeping score at home—about fighting fraud, so it seemed only appropriate we end the week with this great leave-behind from ACFE entitled, “How to be a fraud fighter in your organization.” https://ow.ly/SxQf50X9vG3
Numbers don’t lie: Training employees about the risks and costs of fraud can help reduce losses and ensure fraud is caught more quickly. Check out the stats in this PDF: https://ow.ly/Ck9y50X9vFa
#FraudWeek
#FraudWeek
November 21, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Numbers don’t lie: Training employees about the risks and costs of fraud can help reduce losses and ensure fraud is caught more quickly. Check out the stats in this PDF: https://ow.ly/Ck9y50X9vFa
#FraudWeek
#FraudWeek
Some ‘old school’ fraud schemes just won’t go away, like check fraud. Learn some of the red flags and how to protect yourself in this handy PDF from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE): https://ow.ly/WkER50X9vCZ
#FraudWeek
#FraudWeek
November 20, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Some ‘old school’ fraud schemes just won’t go away, like check fraud. Learn some of the red flags and how to protect yourself in this handy PDF from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE): https://ow.ly/WkER50X9vCZ
#FraudWeek
#FraudWeek
“Trust, but verify” is sort of a mantra around our Office, so much so that we developed this resource to help elected officials and appointed boards understand their role in fighting employee fraud. Download it today: https://ow.ly/1QXM50X9vy3
#FraudWeek
#FraudWeek
November 20, 2025 at 7:25 PM
“Trust, but verify” is sort of a mantra around our Office, so much so that we developed this resource to help elected officials and appointed boards understand their role in fighting employee fraud. Download it today: https://ow.ly/1QXM50X9vy3
#FraudWeek
#FraudWeek
As part of our efforts to help local governments prevent fraud, our experts provide training and outreach throughout the year at conferences and seminars across the state—more than two dozen so far in 2025!
Find fraud-prevention resources and learn more: at sao.wa.gov/fraud
Find fraud-prevention resources and learn more: at sao.wa.gov/fraud
November 19, 2025 at 7:50 PM
As part of our efforts to help local governments prevent fraud, our experts provide training and outreach throughout the year at conferences and seminars across the state—more than two dozen so far in 2025!
Find fraud-prevention resources and learn more: at sao.wa.gov/fraud
Find fraud-prevention resources and learn more: at sao.wa.gov/fraud
Examining the characteristics of occupational fraud that occurs at governmental organizations can help illuminate some of the issues and risks specific to these entities at all levels.
Learn more in this PDF from the ACFE: https://ow.ly/Z4zT50X8SBn
Learn more in this PDF from the ACFE: https://ow.ly/Z4zT50X8SBn
November 19, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Examining the characteristics of occupational fraud that occurs at governmental organizations can help illuminate some of the issues and risks specific to these entities at all levels.
Learn more in this PDF from the ACFE: https://ow.ly/Z4zT50X8SBn
Learn more in this PDF from the ACFE: https://ow.ly/Z4zT50X8SBn
Did you know that our Office has more than two dozen Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE)?
As trained professionals they’re skilled in helping prevent, detect and investigate fraud on behalf of Washingtonians. Learn more about this certification: https://www.acfe.com/cfe-credential
#fraudweek
As trained professionals they’re skilled in helping prevent, detect and investigate fraud on behalf of Washingtonians. Learn more about this certification: https://www.acfe.com/cfe-credential
#fraudweek
November 18, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Did you know that our Office has more than two dozen Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE)?
As trained professionals they’re skilled in helping prevent, detect and investigate fraud on behalf of Washingtonians. Learn more about this certification: https://www.acfe.com/cfe-credential
#fraudweek
As trained professionals they’re skilled in helping prevent, detect and investigate fraud on behalf of Washingtonians. Learn more about this certification: https://www.acfe.com/cfe-credential
#fraudweek
Love infographics? Hate fraud? We have you covered with this visual depiction of common fraudster traits: https://ow.ly/8i5g50X8Sqy
Thank you to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) for the great data, not to mention fraud-prevention diligence! #fraudweek
Thank you to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) for the great data, not to mention fraud-prevention diligence! #fraudweek
November 18, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Love infographics? Hate fraud? We have you covered with this visual depiction of common fraudster traits: https://ow.ly/8i5g50X8Sqy
Thank you to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) for the great data, not to mention fraud-prevention diligence! #fraudweek
Thank you to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) for the great data, not to mention fraud-prevention diligence! #fraudweek
Through their work over the years, our fraud-prevention experts have identified six common traits of scams related to change-payment requests.
Want to know what they are, and get a colorful printout as a reminder to boot? Glad you asked: https://ow.ly/9PUN50XpBZs
Want to know what they are, and get a colorful printout as a reminder to boot? Glad you asked: https://ow.ly/9PUN50XpBZs
November 18, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Through their work over the years, our fraud-prevention experts have identified six common traits of scams related to change-payment requests.
Want to know what they are, and get a colorful printout as a reminder to boot? Glad you asked: https://ow.ly/9PUN50XpBZs
Want to know what they are, and get a colorful printout as a reminder to boot? Glad you asked: https://ow.ly/9PUN50XpBZs
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
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