I have to admit that this was probably the most difficult Quarterly to put together to date. Not because the content was so challenging, but I’ve been busy on an audit. Auditing seems like such a roller coaster ride sometimes.
There are days, even weeks, where not much is happening. I’m waiting for this or that from auditees. Of course I always have 2-3 side projects I can work on, but sometimes, it’s just hard to get motivated to work on Service, Efforts, & Accomplishments (SEA). But then I go through times where it seems like everything is due at once and I feel like I’ll never catch up. That is what these last couple months have been like.
Having said that, one of the most enjoyable parts of this Quarterly was interviewing Richard Tracy. I was fortunate enough to work for Dick Tracy when I first entered the auditing world. I was taking a class from Dick at Portland State University. He made performance auditing sound like the most exciting job in the world. Around the time the class term was ending, Dick announced that they had an opening in their office and encouraged anyone in the class interested in the profession to apply. I decided I wanted to give it a try—not only was I my usual nervousness about applying for a job, but I felt like my whole future was riding on my final term project. The project was to do a mock SEA for a non-profit or government organization (Dick may not agree that was the project, but that’s how I remember it). I did a mock-up of the Oregon Humane Society. I had a wonderful time working on the project and the Humane Society got some value from the final project. Valuable or not, what if I got a B or worse a C? Should I even bother to apply at his office? I was a nervous wreck. I got an A+ on the project and the rest is history!
As is true with many jurisdictions, getting hired is a very time intensive ordeal. After three rounds of interviews, it was another 6 weeks before I was hired. Let me tell you something else about the process, the interview I had with some of the office staff was really funny. They asked me how I felt about 3-ring binders—this was long before electronic workpapers. I had no idea what the implication was, but I was very effusive about my love for the 3-ring binder. Then one of them asked me if I would describe myself more as a giraffe, turtle, cheetah, or some other animals. I can’t remember what the four animals were or what my answer was, but I do remember that I worried more about my response to that question than anything else. I almost called them back to change my answer!! Anyway, working for Dick Tracy in the City of Portland was a great opportunity and I learned a great deal about auditing and thinking outside the auditing box . . . . so to speak. They have a great office and they have been at the leading edge auditing for many years. Best wishes to Dick on his new, very busy, life outside the City of Portland Audit Services Office! |
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