@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
  • Tweets3.4K
  • Following493
  • Followers1.7K
Seattle Public Schools considers mergers as enrollment declines kiro7.com/news/local/seattle… For added context to this story by @tyrahmajors find out what we learned about enrollment projections and their impact on school budgets: sao.wa.gov/the-audit-connect…

Seattle Public Schools considers mergers as enrollment declines

“We believe heavy-handed closures would be a colossal mistake just as optimism about the district was starting to build,”“We believe heavy-handed closures would be a colossal mistake just as optimism...

kiro7.com
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With Cybersecurity Awareness Month coming to a close, we thought we’d leave you with this handy tip sheet to print, ponder and put into practice: intellipaat.com/blog/cyber-s…
Infographic listing 15 major cybersecurity tips including strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and avoiding public WiFi without VPN.

ALT Infographic listing 15 major cybersecurity tips including strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and avoiding public WiFi without VPN.

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Did you know there are nearly 600 official ballot drop boxes and 60 voting centers in our state? Learn more about the election safeguards related to these protected zones from @MRSC_WA in their blog post: ow.ly/M4cR50ZWoSY
Official ballot drop box with American flag graphic and 'VOTE' text, located outdoors near plants and sidewalk.

ALT Official ballot drop box with American flag graphic and 'VOTE' text, located outdoors near plants and sidewalk.

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Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great time to remind everyone that government teams are on the front lines of digital security, and small steps can make a big impact. Stay informed and help protect the systems Washingtonians rely on. Learn more: sao.wa.gov/improving-governm…
Blue shield-shaped emblem above text reading Cybersecurity Awareness Month in bold blue letters.

ALT Blue shield-shaped emblem above text reading Cybersecurity Awareness Month in bold blue letters.

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youtu.be/58IwmUJ7YZA Our free, award-winning cyber checkups have helped more than 100 local governments shore up their cybersecurity posture. Can it help your organization? Learn more in this episode of the Aud Pod as our experts take a deep dive into this program.

The Aud Pod podcast: Free cyber checkups--reducing risk for local governments

Local governments are increasingly becoming attractive targets for ...

youtube.com
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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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