Awards & Recognition
Audit Awards
The Knighton Award is the highest honor given by the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA) and recognizes the best performance audit reports issued by its 300 local government audit organization members. Audits are evaluated for several criteria, including the potential for significant impact, recommendations on effective and efficient government, and clarity of communication style.
Exemplary Knighton Award for Library Services Performance Audit, 2021
“This audit assessed the equity and effectiveness of the library system. Not only was it responsive to the needs and concerns of the public, but its focus was also on an impactful topic: equity. The use of benchmarking and a variety of focus groups made this audit’s scope and significant impact clear. The report started with a summary page quickly distilling high-level information to a reader and the graphics used throughout the report all added value. The maps overlaid with various demographic data as well as library locations were especially persuasive. The findings were clearly stated, well supported, and logically led to the conclusion: “The Library needs to improve its services to equitably meet diverse community needs.” Management agreed to all 27 recommendations, many of which were creative ways to address the issues. A Recommendation Action Plan summarized them in a helpful matrix at the end of the report and included target implementation dates. This was an exemplary report.”
Exemplary Knighton Award for Police Evidence Control Section Performance Audit, 2020
“This audit assessed the controls over the accuracy and security of police property and evidence. The auditors clearly linked their findings, recommendations, and conclusion. The report was easy to read and flowed well. Recommendations were specific, reasonable, and addressed the underlying findings. Charts and call-outs were used throughout the report to easily and efficiently convey information to the reader. The report started with an Executive Summary and a separate Highlights page that excelled at summarizing the content of the full report. The Highlights page in particular used a graphic that was very effective at linking the underlying conditions/causes with key findings and recommendations. Given this audit’s scope and the recommendations, this audit was impactful. All but one of the 27 recommendations were agreed to, and the auditors included a helpful matrix to track recommendations, and management’s response to each, at the end of the report.”
Distinguished Knighton Award for Animal Care Services Audit, 2018
“The Long Beach City Auditor conducted a performance audit of the City’s Animal Care Services (ACS) to provide management with a ‘point in time’ assessment of their current service levels and on-going ability to effectively and efficiently fulfill their responsibilities for providing for the care and re-homing of almost 8,000 animals boarded in their shelter every year. The auditors supported their findings and recommendations with relevant and compelling evidence by citing industry standards, benchmarks, results of their peer municipal shelters survey, as well as direct filed observations and a “climate” survey of ACS employees. The auditors identified 11 critical issues that ACS needed to address in order to meet the industry’s minimum care requirements and improve their revenue collection process. The report was easy to read, followed a logical flow of issues, and incorporated a useful highlight sheet, call-out boxes, charts, descriptive headers, and graphics that greatly facilitated a quick read and absorption of the key points of the report.”
Distinguished Knighton Award for Business Improvement District (BID) Oversight Audit, 2017
“The report focused on assessing City management’s oversight of the BID Program and compliance with related agreements. The audit found that improvement in communication and accounting of assessments was needed to achieve the City’s intended economic development goals. The audit aimed to improve government efficiency and effectiveness through findings that matter to policymakers and citizens. The report’s use of a succinct highlights page, effective visual aids, layout and dynamic use of color provided the reader an informative and engaging experience.”
Distinguished Knighton Award for Police & Fire Public Safety Dispatcher Overtime Audit, 2015
“This audit report was triggered by a Fraud Hotline tip and concluded that low staffing levels and past recruitment/hiring practices have had a strong influence on the high levels of police and fire dispatcher overtime, and on how overtime pay was being allocated. Solid evidence was gathered using innovative methodologies, and comprehensive data analysis was used to support the conclusions, which were logical and presented in a persuasive manner. Recommendations were clearly written, consistent with the observations noted and convincingly linked to appropriate causes. The report was well written, organized, and made excellent use of understandable flowcharts and graphics. The report addressed a topic that can be somewhat contentious, but did so in an easy-to-read manner. The report identified the potential for significant impacts including budgetary, safety, and operational efficiencies, and received management’s support of the recommendations.”
Bronze Award for Parking Citations Collection Process Audit, 2012
Judges’ Comments:
“The report identified approximately $18 million in unpaid parking citations issued within the prior three years. The report used clear and concise language to articulate the audit processes carried out, the evidence collected, and the analysis undertaken. Adoption of audit recommendations has the potential for significant impact over the short and long terms. The report was persuasive for initiating change; the Mayor publicly addressed the report findings and supported overall recommendations including the request for a new software system.”
Gold Award for Towing Operations Cash Handling Procedures Audit, 2009
Judges’ Comments:
“The report is an example of a standard, basic audit area, but done in an innovative manner, including reviewing video surveillance. The audit reviewed cash handling procedures of a Towing Operation which is part of the city’s Fleet Services Bureau of the Department of Public Works. The report revealed numerous control weaknesses in an operation handling on average $68,000 in cash per week. Findings included a lack of data integrity and lack of separation of duties, resulting in a significant risk of fraud. Testing and audit evidence supported the conclusions, which were effectively tied to audit recommendations. The report also included internal control and segregation of duties graphics, which were excellent visual aids to the reader. Management concurred with the recommendations and many were implemented even before the report was issued.”
Silver Honorable Mention for Long Beach Museum of Art Audit, 2008
Judges’ Comments:
“The Long Beach City Auditor’s Office is among the best of local government audit organizations.”
Other Awards
Excellence in Public Information and Communications Award, 2019
To emphasize the importance of alleged City fraud, waste and abuse tips and improve understanding of the City Auditor’s Fraud Hotline operations, the Office implemented an internal educational campaign which was recognized with the Excellence in Public Information and Communications (EPIC) Award by the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO).
Steward of the Second District, 2014
The Office was recognized as a “Steward of the Second District” for work going beyond the call of duty to make a difference in the lives of others.
Silver Award for Website, 2010
Judges’ Comments:
“We liked the ease of navigation of the website. The home page allows the reader to quickly move to a list of audits, report fraud or abuse, view press releases or contact staff. The website contains information not only about the City Auditor, but the history of the office of the City Auditor and information on the City of Long Beach. Most impressive is the “Projects in Progress” section. This portion of the website lists the audits in progress and is regularly updated. This demonstrates a real commitment of resources to keeping the website current. This is an excellent website.”
Silver Award for Website, 2008
Judges’ Comments:
“This website makes good use of video on their site, has lots of content, and an attractive design. Some unique items on their site are a request form for email alerts, the history of the City Auditor’s Office, and the video and link for the fraud hotline.”
