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The Knighton Award recognizes the best performance audit reports of the preceding year. Awards are presented according to the size of the audit shop.
Anouncements
2010 Knighton Award Winners
SMALL SHOP WINNERS (1 to 5 auditors)
- Gold - Office of the City Auditor, City of Palo Alto (CA)
Audit of Fleet Utilization and Replacement
The report identified significant, well-supported findings that focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the organization. The level of detail led to persuasive arguments that management accepted. By sharing preliminary findings, management was able to promptly address the findings. The audit had significant impact as indicated by the demonstrated immediate and ongoing cost savings opportunities. The audit also demonstrated good use of benchmarking. Recommendations were specific, clear, and logically flowed from the findings with a focus on efficient and effective government.
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- Silver - Capital Metro Internal Audit, City of Austin (TX )
MetroAccess Performance Audit
The report impacted both financial and operational improvements for an area that serves individuals most in need, including validation of the effectiveness of management's performance measures. Of particular note was the report's use of a question and answer format. The report was very well organized, with detailed analysis of each issue, strong recommendations, in depth analysis of para-transit, and clearly presented financial impact of audit recommendations. The focus of the recommendations on improving government and the persuasiveness of conclusions was evident.
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MEDIUM SHOP WINNERS (6 to 15 auditors)
- Gold - Office of the City Auditor, Audit Services Division, City of Portland (OR)
Emergency Management: Coordination limited and essential functions incomplete
The Knighton Award judges selected the Portland, Oregon Office of the City Auditor's report on Emergency Management for the Gold Award. Not only is public safety a critical function of government, but because disasters can dramatically affect a community, this report has the potential for significant impact. It became even more relevant after a subsequent bomb scare in downtown Portland. The scope of the audit was well aligned with the risks identified. The conclusions were persuasive and supported by a good mix of best practices and specific examples to highlight the management issues identified. The recommendations were appropriate for the risks identified, were prioritized, and were effective at highlighting the series of decisions and activities needed to move the City towards a more useful emergency management system. The report itself was easy to read, aided by the clear report structure, clean format, and a direct but casual writing style. Innovative aspects of the report included a survey and research of national best practices.
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- Silver - Office of the City Auditor, City of San Jose (CA)
Pension Sustainability: Rising Pension Costs Threaten the City's Ability to Maintain Service Levels - Alternatives for a Sustainable Future
This report focused on a topic many government entities are currently struggling with. Given the importance of San Jose's Pension System and the amount of funds involved, the audit had the potential for a significant impact on San Jose's operations. The report included recommendations that were well-designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of San Jose's pension system and ultimately their operations in general. While lengthy, the report maintained clarity on a complex topic using innovative approaches, such as a glossary of technical terms at the beginning of the report to assist the reader. The report contained an impressive amount of detail demonstrating the thoroughness of their audit while supporting the auditor's conclusions. Tables and graphs were used effectively throughout the report helping the reader digest not only the current status of the pension system, but also critical trends.
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- Bronze - Office of the City Auditor, City of Seattle (WA)
Anti-Graffiti Efforts: Best Practices and Recommendations
This performance audit covered a unique topic. The report's potential for impact was elevated when it connected the level of graffiti with higher rates of crime. This was a very solid report with good information and thorough criteria. The report effectively used peers for best practices and had good use of surveys and focus groups. The auditors conducted a physical inventory of graffiti and graphically presented the information by location and what gets tagged. The combined use of data, maps, survey results, and best practices was a comprehensive way to address the audit topic. It was innovative how the report included the additional costs and potential benefits related to each recommendation made, which addressed all the issues identified. The report was clear and easy to read, and was very good overall.
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- Honorable Mention - Office of the City Auditor, City of Edmonton (ON)
Overtime Review
The Office of the Auditor's Overtime Review report was well organized, clear and concise. The audit contained high quality analysis with a good balance of quantitative and qualitative information. The report made good use of case studies and did a great job of presenting support for its conclusions. Recommendations were appropriate and had the potential for significant impact.
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- Honorable Mention - Office of the Inspector General, South Florida Water Management District (FL)
Audit of the SAP Solution Center
The SAP Solution Center report demonstrates that the results of a complex audit, in this case an information technology audit, can be communicated in a clear and concise manner. The report was well-written and easy to read from beginning to end. Given the large investment in system implementation and ongoing support, the proposed recommendations have the potential for significant recurring and one-time cost savings, including an estimated $4.7 million from moving support functions in-house. Management concurred with all recommendations, illustrating the persuasiveness of the audit. The report is a model of effective writing that includes the necessary report quality elements.
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LARGE SHOP WINNERS (16 or more auditors)
- Gold - Office of the Controller, City of Los Angeles (CA)
Audit of the Photo Red Light Program
The audit focused on whether the program was achieving the goal of improving public safety by reducing accidents at the most dangerous intersections. The audit found that the methodology used to select the intersections actually excluded some of the highest risk intersections in an effort to allow for at least one red light camera per Council District. Because the program was fairly new, the review was very timely. The recommendations were appropriate and flowed well from the findings. In addition, the report was well-written and well-presented. Overall, the audit made a complicated analysis very persuasive and easy to follow.
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- Silver - Office of the City Auditor, City of San Diego (CA)
Street Maintenance: City Needs to Improve Planning, Coordination, and Oversight to Effectively Manage Transportation Assets
The scope was timely, and the report made substantial recommendations on a vital area of concern for all levels of government and citizens. It is clear that the conclusions were based on extensive research and data collection. The writing is clean, concise and convincing, and the use of illustrations clearly demonstrates the important issues and can't help but convince decision-makers to take action.
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- Bronze - Internal Audit Department, Maricopa County (AZ)
Vehicle Usage: Controls over County Vehicles and Related Areas Need Strengthening
This innovative and high-impact audit report identified numerous weaknesses and inadequate controls over driver accountability and vehicle management. While this review of vehicle usage resulted in 45 separate departmental reports, the primary report was presented in a succinct and accessible style. The report effectively used charts and graphs and was visually enhanced by using Google Maps to identify mileage to calculate fuel usage findings. The recommendations will definitively have an impact of the efficiency and effectiveness of vehicle usage and management.
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PAST WINNERS
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