State auditors outline 2024 scope for Lacey; staff raise ARPA single-audit filing question

Auditors from the Washington State Auditor’s Office told City of Lacey officials during an entrance conference that they will conduct accountability, financial statement and federal grant compliance audits covering Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2024, and described the specific areas they plan to review.

Tony, the lead auditor on the engagement, said the office will perform an accountability audit to test compliance with state law, contracts and grant agreements; a financial statement audit to issue an opinion on whether the city’s financial statements are fairly stated; and a federal grant compliance examination focused on Treasury’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Fund requirements.

The topic matters because the audits provide assurance to bond raters, grantors and the public about the city’s stewardship of public funds. The auditors also explained the process they will use to communicate findings and recommendations, and they described resources and reporting obligations that apply to the city.

Tony told the group the accountability audit will cover Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2024, and that the team used a risk-based approach to select areas for review. Planned audit areas include utility accounts receivable…