Audit Division develops compliance programs while tackling campaign finance backlog

In a recent government meeting, the San Francisco Audit Division provided an update on its operations, focusing on the challenges and progress made in managing campaign finance and lobbying audits. The meeting highlighted the division's responsibilities, including conducting mandatory audits, developing compliance review programs, and administering the city's public financing program for candidates.

The Audit Division, which operates with a small team of four, faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, operating at only 25% capacity as of April 2021 due to staff vacancies and disaster service assignments. However, by November 2021, the division reached full capacity, allowing it to focus on evaluating existing compliance programs and addressing recommendations from previous audits.

One of the key topics discussed was the backlog of audits resulting from the pandemic. The division has initiated several audits for the years 2019 and 2020, but the backlog continues to grow, especially with the recent 2022 elections adding more mandatory audits to the list. To tackle this issue, the division is working to secure external auditing services, a process that has been ongoing since mid-2021. Despite the delays in finalizing a contract for external support, the division has begun conducting some audits in-house to mitigate the backlog.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of developing a compliance review program for the Form 700, which pertains to statements of economic interest. This initiative is seen as a priority, particularly in light of ongoing conflict of interest audits being conducted citywide.

In conclusion, while the Audit Division is making strides in addressing its backlog and enhancing its auditing processes, the need for external support remains critical. The ongoing efforts to secure this assistance and the internal initiatives to manage audits reflect the division's commitment to maintaining transparency and accountability in San Francisco's campaign finance and lobbying practices. The next steps will involve continuing to push for external contracts while managing existing resources to clear the backlog effectively.