FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2015




Quality Work of Legislative Audit Bureau Affirmed

(Madison) Joint Legislative Audit Committee co-chairpersons, Senator Robert Cowles (R-Green Bay) and Representative Samantha Kerkman (R-Salem), responded today to the announcement that the nonpartisan Legislative Audit Bureau (LAB) has received the highest rating possible from an external, independent peer review team on its system of quality control.

The team of outside reviewers, which was organized under the auspices of the National State Auditors Association and was composed of government auditing professionals from other states and the federal government, reviewed selected LAB financial audits released during the period from August 1, 2014, through July 31, 2015. The reviewers found that LAB’s system of quality control “has been suitably designed and was complied with during the period to provide the audit organization with reasonable assurance of performing and reporting in conformity with Government Auditing Standards in all material respects.” This outcome is consistent with LAB’s performance in past peer reviews, which are completed every three years.

“As co-chair and as a member of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee since my first term in office, I have been continually impressed with the Legislative Audit Bureau and proud of the work they complete for the Legislature. Lawmakers and taxpayers are fortunate to have the LAB’s non-partisan expertise to rely on,” said Rep. Kerkman.

“I have always had full confidence in the LAB. They have been on the front lines in the fight against waste, fraud, abuse and compliance. Their quality of work is always superb and this review confirms how vital the LAB is to our state,” said Senator Rob Cowles.

LAB is a nonpartisan legislative agency responsible for conducting financial and program evaluation audits of state agencies. LAB’s purpose is to provide assurance to the Legislature that financial transactions and management decisions are made effectively, efficiently, and in compliance with state law. LAB reports typically contain reviews of financial transactions, analyses of agency performance or public policy issues, conclusions regarding the causes of problems found, and recommendations for improvement. Reports are submitted to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and made available to other committees of the Legislature and to the public.

Copies of audit reports, as well as the 2015 external peer review report, are available on LAB’s website at http://www.legis.wisconsin.gov/lab. To report fraud, waste, and mismanagement in state government, please contact LAB’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-FRAUD-17.