For immediate release: Thursday, April 11, 2019

Contact: Jolene Nieves Byzon, 215-300-1071

The Association of Local Government Auditors recognized the Controller’s Office audit with the 2018 Exemplary Knighton Award for best performance audit.

Philadelphia, PA – The City Controller’s Office was recognized by the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA) with the 2018 Exemplary Knighton Award for best performance audit in the extra-large audit shop category for its report, The Effectiveness of and Compliance with Sexual Harassment Policies and Procedures. The audit, which reviewed complaint and settlement data from July 2012 through April 2018 and assessed the effectiveness of the City’s sexual harassment policies and procedures, found that the policies and procedures for addressing sexual misconduct were inadequate and poorly implemented, resulting in an unclear and convoluted system for reporting complaints, ineffective procedures, non-uniform processes and punishments, insufficient training, and an overall lack of clarity around how to address sexual misconduct complaints.

Each year, local government audit organizations from around the U.S. and Canada submit their best performance audit reports for judging. Reports are judged on several key elements, such as the potential for significant impact, the persuasiveness of the conclusions, the focus on improving government efficiency and effectiveness, and its clarity and conciseness. Judges from peer organizations determined that the Controller’s Office audit was among the best of 2018. Read ALGA’s announcement here.

In making the award, the judges noted the use of the phoneline to help offset incomplete departmental records, stating, “…Rather than just having an audit finding on the records limitation, this [the phoneline] resulted in a more complete analysis.” Read the award letter here.

The Association of Local Government Auditors is a national audit association founded in 1985 committed to supporting and improving local government auditing through advocacy, collaboration, education, and training, while upholding and promoting the highest standards of professional ethics.