State Gives Kirkland Clean Marks in Annual Audit

Editor's Note: The following is a press release from the City of Kirkland.

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KIRKLAND, Wash. – The Washington State Auditor’s Office recently completed its annual audit of the City of Kirkland in the areas of accountability, financial statement, and federal grant compliance.  The accountability audit includes legal compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act and the safeguarding of public resources with proper internal controls.

The Office had no audit recommendations or findings in any of the three audit areas.  The Auditor’s Office indicated that Kirkland’s results are noteworthy as there are very few entities in Washington State that achieved “clean” audits for 2011 and that the Auditor’s Office has been issuing more findings.

In addition to the clean audits, the City received the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for the City’s comprehensive annual financial report.  On October 16, the City Council will receive a summary of the audit and will present the GFOA award to Finance & Administration Department staff.  The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at Kirkland City Hall in the Council Chamber.

“These are amazing accomplishments for the City, the Finance Department, and our citizens,” notes City Council Member Amy Walen, Chair of the Council’s Finance Committee. “These show our continued commitment to fiscal responsibility.”  The City has received the GFOA award since 2004.

To view the audit report, go to the Washington State Auditor’s Office website at www.sao.wa.gov, select “Audits,” then “Local Governments” and then select “City of Kirkland.” To view an educational video on the City’s commitment to financial stability, go to www.kirklandwa.gov/kirklandworks.