Yellowbook-CPE Presents: Auditors Save The World

Harriet Richardson returns for a second episode, and this time she pulls back the curtain on how great audits get built. She walks through the frameworks she relies on most, the logic model, Bloom's Taxonomy, and the elements of a finding, and shares how mastering these tools turns even the messiest, most sprawling audit into something decision-makers can actually use. Harriet takes us inside...

In this episode, performance audit veteran Harriet Richardson shares how she built a performance audit program from the ground up after voters passed a statewide ballot initiative. She walks us through her all-time favorite audit into the state's delayed-release Chinook salmon program, where a decades-old legislative goal of releasing 3 million hatchery fish per year had quietly become a costl...

What happens when your government just... doesn't pick up the phone? In this episode, Leita Hart-Fanta sits down with Jennifer McGuirk, elected county auditor for Multnomah County, Oregon, to talk about two audits that hit close to home for anyone who's ever battled a phone tree or wondered whether their vote is being counted correctly. Jennifer walks us through a creative, citizen-centere...

In a world where rules are written in ink and consequences are written in stone, there is a quiet but powerful force moving behind the curtain of compliance. Not in the audit file. Not in the fieldwork. But in the rules themselves. Meet Clive Lennox. Oxford-educated. Razor-minded. Calm as a ledger that actually balances on the first try. Clive stands at the gates of regulation, where the mighty ed...

In a previous episode, you heard how Ross Visscher harnesses AI to transform his internal audits in a thriving Canadian city. But power in the hands of one City team is only the beginning! Because beyond the internal audit shop, an entire city is stepping into the world of artificial intelligence. Departments experimenting. Risks emerging. Opportunities everywhere. And someone must bring order to...

In this episode, we sit down with Ross Visscher, an IT audit champion using AI to transform how a city government approaches auditing. Ross shares how his team is leveraging tools like Microsoft Copilot, Azure OpenAI, and Python to automate tasks, analyze customer feedback, process documents with OCR, and validate transactions faster and more accurately than ever before. We dig into how he develop...

In this episode, we delve into the world of government oversight, audit strategies, and investigative work with expert auditor and inspector general, Isabel Mercedes Cumming. Discover how rigorous evidence-gathering, quick action, and citizen involvement lead to transformative, live-saving changes in public agencies while maintaining independence and integrity. CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Welcome to Auditor...

The city hums with traffic, footsteps echo on concrete, and danger hides in plain sight. From crosswalks to corridors of city hall, one watchful guardian keeps the streets of San Diego safe. This is Eduardo Luna. By day, he is an Audit Executive of a great California city. By calling, Eduardo protects people who walk, drive, bike, and live their lives one intersection at a time.  With a sharp eye...

In this episode of "Auditor Save the World," host Leita Hart-Fanta interviews Yves Genest, a seasoned auditor with extensive experience in food safety and compliance. The conversation dives into the complexities of auditing food safety, particularly in the context of aquaculture and the risks associated with raising salmon. Yves shares insights from his audits, highlighting the challenge...

In this episode, Rebecca Takahashi shares her journey through various audit roles across different cities, emphasizing the power of networking and relationship building in career advancement. She discusses her experiences in local government audit functions, the importance of internal audit standards, and the challenges faced in re-establishing trust after major embezzlement cases. Rebecca highlig...

Today, dear listeners, we tune our dials to listen closely to Jay Wagner, the humble Chief Audit Executive. Armed with a compassionate heart and the rare courage to self-examine, Jay listens not just to what is said, but to what is meant. When the whispers of wrongdoing echo through the halls, he doesn’t rush to accuse! Instead, he rolls up his sleeves, scrubs the evidence clean, and follows the f...

In this episode, we explore the world of internal auditing with Tiffany, a seasoned auditor with extensive experience in government and public sector auditing. Tiffany shares her insights on the importance of internal controls, vendor management, and the challenges faced by government entities in maintaining financial accountability. She emphasizes the role of auditors in supporting mission-based...

In this episode, we explore the thrilling world of auditing through a captivating story of fraud with Pamela Stroebel Powers. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by auditors, the importance of vigilance, and the lessons learned from a real-life case study. Pam shares insights on the intricacies of fraud investigations, the significance of documentation, and the necessity of robust in...

In this episode, we explore the innovative use of auditing in city services, focusing on equity and the integration of artificial intelligence. Joe Rois, a city auditor, discusses his approach to auditing critical services in San Jose, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decision-making and community impact. The conversation highlights the challenges and successes in ensuring equitable acces...

In this episode, we explore the impactful world of performance audits through the lens of SuperDoug, a seasoned city auditor! The conversation delves into various audit projects, including the challenges and successes of adapting audits during the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of public engagement in audit suggestions, and the strategies for building trust with city council members. Listeners...

In this engaging conversation, Melisa Galasso shares her insights on the complexities of auditing, particularly focusing on single audits and compliance. She discusses the challenges faced by auditors, the importance of understanding federal guidelines, and the impact of recent changes in administration on auditing standards. Melisa emphasizes the need for specialized knowledge in the auditing fie...

Listen as we dive into the thrilling world of audits and financial reviews. In this episode, we meet Vickie Murphy, the iron-willed audit commander, who leads a team of 31 auditors with precision and expertise. Discover the challenges and triumphs of auditing Valley Metro's bus contracts, uncovering compliance issues, and ensuring public safety. With insights from Vickie's extensive career...

In this episode, we explore the intricate world of auditing within the San Francisco Department of Police Accountability. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by a one-person audit team, the significance of stop data in ensuring police accountability, and the implications of racial profiling in data reporting. Steve Flaherty shares insights on the audit process, data integrity, and be...

Join us on "Auditors Save the World!" as we dive into the thrilling world of audits with Ty Elliott, a fearless defender of public interest. Discover how Ty blazed the audit trail in Texas, turning overlooked objectives into vital safeguards for city data and infrastructure. From his passion for dance to his strategic insights in cybersecurity, Ty's story is one of innovation and ded...

Join us for an eye-opening episode of "Auditor Saved the World" as we explore the remarkable story of Jay Poole, the City Auditor turned Justice Catalyst. Discover how a routine audit of a city department's purchases led to unexpected revelations and state-level reforms. From the quirky expenditure by an elected sheriff to the community-changing outcomes, Jay's tale is a testament to the power of...

In this thrilling episode of "Auditor Saved the World," we dive into the inspiring journey of Mark Funkhouser, a former teacher and social worker turned powerhouse performance auditor. Discover how Mark's passion for justice and precision transformed him into a hero impacting thousands of lives. From his humble beginnings in West Virginia to his groundbreaking work in Kansas City, Ma...

In this episode, we explore the parallels between auditing and investigative journalism, focusing on the importance of exposing corruption and the challenges faced by journalists in today's media landscape. The conversation highlights the decline of investigative reporting, the rise of independent journalism, and the impact of corporate ownership on media bias. The guest shares personal experience...

In this episode, we explore the challenges and triumphs of an audit conducted on animal services in Denton, Texas. The audit team faced significant pressure from the community to uncover the truth about the treatment of animals, leading to 34 recommendations aimed at improving care and accountability. The discussion highlights the importance of follow-up audits, innovative management solutions, an...

In this episode of Auditors Save the World, we explore the thrilling journey of auditing through the eyes of Matthew, a seasoned auditor who recounts his experiences in Guam during a financial crisis. The conversation delves into the challenges faced in reconstructing financial records, the dynamics of intergovernmental agreements, and the evolution of auditing practices. Matthew shares valuable i...

In this episode, we explore the impactful journey of Corrie, an audit leader in Austin, who has dedicated her career to ensuring transparency and accountability through rigorous audits. The conversation delves into the challenges faced in code compliance audits, the findings from multiple audits, and the recommendations made to improve processes. Corrie shares insights on the complexities of Austi...