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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017 Distinguished Knighton AwardOFFICERS Presidernt Tina Adams Depute City Auditor Charlotte. NC Presider! Elect Kristine Adams-Wannberg Senior ManasemartAuditor Portland. OR� .SecretarI Pam Weipert Compliance Officer Oakland County. MI Treasurer Larry Stafford :-Audit Services iN9anaeer Clark: County, AVA Pus/ President David Givans Cotmli Internal Auditor DeSchuleS County. OR BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE Justin Anderson Senior %Janasenunt Auditor Dins Comm. WA Van Lee Deputy Co Auditor Citv and Count, of Honolulu. HI Chris Horton Countti Auditor Arlin ton. VA Matt Weller ASslstant Cite Auditor City of Oklahoma Cite. OI: MEMBER SERVICES 449 Lewis Iiarsett Circle suit 290 Lexington. KY 4003 Phone: (859)276-0656 Fax: (8�9) 275-007 �cscn . alaun I i ne. lure Association of Local Government Auditors March 28, 2018 Bonnie S. Nims Legislative Auditor 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 Dear Bonnie S. Nims: The Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA) Awards Program Committee is pleased to announce that the County of Hawai'i, Office of the Legislative Auditor's report, County of HawaiTs Department of Human Resources Hiring Practices, won the 2017 Distinguished Knighton Award in the Small Shop Category. ALGA was founded in 1985 to serve auditors who specialize in working with local governments. ALGA members represent approximately 300 local government audit organizations. Unlike the majority of auditors who work within a single industry, local government auditors must work in an environment that encompasses a wide variety of industries. Local government auditors are committed to helping their governments improve service delivery to citizens while doing so more efficiently and effectively with the limited resources available. In making the award, the judges commented: Little undermines our trust in government more than a suspicion that employees are unqualified and hired based on connections instead of merit. The Legislative Auditor of the County of Hawaii heard public concerns about unfair hiring practices and responded with a focused audit to determine root causes and actionable solutions. A preliminary risk assessment allowed them to efficiently target an in- depth review of the worst hiring practices at the County. The resulting report was organized into easy to read sections that translated auditor logic: what did we find, what were the consequences, and why did it happen. The recommendations directly addressed root causes and were accepted by management. The result created stronger policies and procedures that identify, attract and select the most qualified applicants for County employment. To encourage increasing levels of excellence among local government auditors, ALGA created the Knighton Award in 1995 to recognize the best performance audit reports produced by local government audit shops in the previous year. Each year, local government audit organizations submit their best performance audit report to be evaluated against five criteria: (1) an audit scope that has the potential for significant impact, and is responsive to the needs and concerns of decision -makers and/or the public; (2) audit conclusions that are persuasive, logical, and firmly supported by the evidence, which was gathered using appropriate research methods and tools; (3) audit recommendations that are feasible, and will make government programs more effective and efficient; (4) audit results that are communicated in a clear, concise way; and (5) an audit scope, methodology, recommendations, or report format that is innovative. Judges from peer organizations determined that the County of Hawai'i, Office of the Legislative Auditor's report was among the best of 2017. Congratulations for receiving this award! Sincerely, Tina Adams, President ALGA Lisa Monteiro, Chair ALGAAwards Program Committee