Dear Oaklanders, 

2013 Gold Knighton Award Winner

 

The Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA), a national professional organization, has awarded the Office of the City Auditor the 2013 Gold Knighton Award for the Non-Interference in Administrative Affairs Audit. The Knighton Awards are presented to the best performance audit reports of the previous year in three categories (gold, silver, and bronze) based on audit shop size.  Audit reports are evaluated by a panel of professional internal auditing peers from around the country. 

 

In announcing the award, ALGA stated that:

The (Non-Interference) audit is particularly notable for its willingness to hold the City Council members accountable for their actions. Because of their political nature, City Council actions are rarely audited, but this audit boldly shows how failure by Council members to adhere to internal controls on their actions created a toxic tone at the top and degraded trust in City governance. The report was well-developed and supported and the layout helped the readers move through the findings easily. Finally, the report made strong recommendations designed to address the root cause problems that the team identified.

The Knighton Award will be presented at the May 2014 Association of Local Government Auditors Annual Conference. I will present our award-winning report at the conference.

  

Most Influential Professionals in Government Auditing

  

I was both thrilled and humbled to recently learn that I have been selected by the American Center for Government Auditing (ACGA) as one of the "Most Influential Professionals in Government Auditing." The Institute of Internal Auditors launched the ACGA to advance the professional practice of auditing in the public sector. As part of the launch, the ACGA named an inaugural group of 15 individuals from around the country, recognizing professionals who have promoted the value of auditing in government and demonstrated the courage and integrity necessary to stand up and face difficult situations. The ACGA noted that I have promoted accountability and transparency in government and demonstrated the value that auditing can bring to local governments.

 

  

  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 2, 2014

  

  

  

  

  

 

In announcing the award, ALGA stated that:

The (Non-Interference) audit is particularly notable for its willingness to hold the City Council members accountable for their actions. Because of their political nature, City Council actions are rarely audited, but this audit boldly shows how failure by Council members to adhere to internal controls on their actions created a toxic tone at the top and degraded trust in City governance. The report was well-developed and supported and the layout helped the readers move through the findings easily. Finally, the report made strong recommendations designed to address the root cause problems that the team identified.

The Knighton Award will be presented at the May 2014 Association of Local Government Auditors Annual Conference, where Auditor Ruby will present the award-winning report. 

 

City Auditor Courtney A. Ruby, CPA, CFE, took office in January 2007 and was re-elected November 2, 2010. Performance audits of the City's Pension Systems and Measure D and a recommendation follow-up for CEDA Loans Receivables are in progress. Earlier audits reviewed the Fire Department's Vegetation Inspection Program, the City's Parking Ticket Management, Oakland Police Department's technology management, the City's hiring practices, funding for children and youth services, library services, the CEDA and PWA receivable series, the Public Works Agency, and the grant management for the Measure Y Violence Prevention Programs. In July 2013, an Association of Local Government Auditors peer review team found the Office of the City Auditor met the highest government standards in performance auditing. Visit: www.OaklandAuditor.com to learn more about Oakland's Office of the City Auditor.