Press Release  Auditor’s Office Receives Highest Possible Rating in Third Consecutive Peer Review

Boston — Today, state auditors representing the National State Auditors Association (NSAA) gave the Office of State Auditor Suzanne M. Bump (OSA) the highest possible rating in its third consecutive peer review, referencing the office’s adherence to government auditing standards.

“The Auditor’s office must model the behavior we expect of our auditees. That means we must meet the standards set by the Office of the United States Comptroller General to ensure our competence, integrity, objectivity and independence” Bump said. I am proud that we continue to make the grade.”

The announcement comes after an independent review of the office’s quality control system. In the peer-review process, six professional state auditors from across the country evaluated Bump’s office’s policies, procedures, and work products issued from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019. State audit organizations can receive a rating of pass, pass with deficiencies, or fail. The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) received a rating of pass.

Peer reviews performed through the NSAA are conducted on a three-year interval. The team of professionals that conducted Massachusetts’ peer review was comprised of state auditors from Illinois, Missouri, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont. The reviews are required as part of compliance with the Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards, promulgated by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.  The OSA is required by statute to comply with these standards in conducting its audit work.

During her tenure, Bump’s office has become a national leader in government auditing and accountability. Last month, Bump was awarded the Excellence in Government Leadership Award by the Association of Government Accountants, citing the Office’s use of data-analytics tools and technologies to address complex challenges facing state government.

The NSAA letter detailing the 2020 peer review is available here.

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