Washington State 3-Year City Audits — What Residents Should Know
All cities in Washington State are audited by the Washington State Auditor’s Office (SAO) at least once every three years, as required by state law. These independent audits review how cities manage public funds and whether they follow state laws and regulations.
What the audits review
How the city collects and spends public money
Whether financial records are accurate and complete
Compliance with state laws, grant requirements, and local policies
Financial controls that help prevent errors, waste, or misuse
Some cities may also receive financial statement audits or federal grant audits, depending on revenue size and funding sources.
Why this matters to residents
Transparency: Audit reports are public and show how taxpayer dollars are used
Accountability: If issues are identified, the city must address them and make improvements
Public trust: Regular audits help ensure responsible management of city finances
Accessing audit reports
All audit reports are publicly available online through the Washington State Auditor’s Office. Residents can search by city name to view current and past audits.
In short
Washington’s 3-year audit cycle helps ensure cities operate responsibly, follow the law, and remain accountable to the public they serve.
