Thursday, March 28, 2024

County officials recognized by State Auditor Pat McCarthy

Effective communications cited

Posted

OKANOGAN – The county auditor, treasurer and deputy treasurer were recognized last October with the State Auditor’s Stewardship Award from Washington State Auditor Pat McCarthy.

Auditor Cari Hall, Treasurer Leah McCormack and Deputy Treasurer Pam Johnson received the honor for their key roles in making Okanogan County government work better, McCarthy said in a letter to Andy Hover, Chairman of the Board of Okanogan County Commissioners.

“Due to the interrelated nature of its financial systems, effective communication between the County Auditor and County Treasurer is absolutely critical for accurate financial reporting,” McCarthy said

The state auditor noted that Hall, McCormack and Johnson have developed a system of meaningful and effective ongoing communication between the county treasurer and auditor offices.

“They have a shared commitment to excellence in their jobs, as well as in how they serve the County’s citizens and the officials of its many special purpose districts,” McCarthy said and noted specific examples:

“Auditor Hall has worked diligently to make sure that the County’s financial reports comply with the Budgeting, Accounting and Reporting System (BARS) Manual, performing in-depth research on requirements to understand their purpose. Auditor Hall has created a general ledger analysis and crosswalk to the financial statements while Treasurer McCormack and Deputy Treasurer Johnson have proactively provided sources, calculations, and the detailed rationale for various amounts on required schedules, all in an effort to make sure that the financial statements are accurate and to assist with the auditing process. Furthermore, long before the BARS Manual required it, Treasurer McCormack and Deputy Treasurer Johnson reported estimates of the County’s liability for medical costs for retired LEOFF 1 employees, and they have joined with other counties to provide important feedback on recently adopted financial schedules.”

The local Republican Party also tendered its congratulations to the three recipients for the state recognition.

The Stewardship Award has been given in only six of the 39 counties in Washington. Hall, McCormack, and Johnson received an honorary plaque.


 

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