City Auditor Reports Successful Peer Review by Long Beach and Phoenix Auditors

The Audit and Finance Committee of Austin convened on August 20, 2025, to discuss key matters concerning the city's financial oversight and auditing processes. The meeting began with a presentation from the city auditor regarding the results of the external quality control review, also known as the peer review.

The city auditor highlighted that this review, conducted every three years, is essential for ensuring compliance with the government auditing standards mandated by the city charter and code. The recent review involved independent auditors from Long Beach, Phoenix, and Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, who thoroughly examined the office's policies, procedures, personnel practices, and training records.

The auditor expressed satisfaction with the review's outcome, noting that the office received a passing grade, which is considered a significant achievement in the auditing profession. However, the review did include one management letter comment, suggesting that the office should enhance the specificity of the scope outlined in their audit reports. The auditors recommended that the city auditor's office provide more detailed information in public reports regarding the scope of their work.

This discussion underscored the commitment of the city auditor's office to uphold high standards of accountability and transparency in its operations. The committee acknowledged the findings and the importance of continuous improvement in the auditing process. Further steps will be taken to address the recommendations made during the review, ensuring that the office remains aligned with best practices in government auditing.