Del: Information released from audit of the auditor’s office

DOVER, Del. – There’s a new sheriff in town running the state auditors office in Delaware, and she’s got plans to make it better than ever before.

“I think it’s a value not only for the office to get it self in order but then also to be able to do the best we can for Delaware,” said Delaware State Auditor Kathy McGuiness.

To make that happen, McGuiness hired an independent firm to perform an audit on the auditors office where they reviewed and evaluated past practices of the office.

“I believed that it was important to bring in and outside professional with the ability to offer their perspective and constructive observations to improve this office for Delaware taxpayers,” said McGuiness.

Through that audit, McGuiness says two major inconsistencies were uncovered. McGuiness says the office failed to perform risk assessments before conducting audits and failed to fulfill statutory mandates as well.

“In the past three fiscal years 24% to 51% of the reports that came out of the office we’re not mandates so mandates have gone unfulfilled,” said McGuiness.

McGuiness says now she’s focused on being more transparent and getting this auditors office, back on track.

“I believe there is a huge opportunity with this office going forward not only doing out reach but getting it up to speed, looking at best practices how can we improve,” said McGuiness.

McGuiness says since she’s stepped into her new position she’s made major improvements. Including restoring resources to the office, and making sure it’s fully staffed.

“That was a huge thing we were at 50% staff,” said McGuiness.

And while there’s still a lot more work to be done, McGuiness says the office is already headed in a better direction. You can read the full 50 page audit report online here.