New York City Comptroller Lander Debuts Audit Recommendations Tracke

 

In a step toward greater transparency and accountability, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander launches a new dashboard to track the outcomes from audits of New York City agencies that the Comptroller’s Bureau of Audit issued on or after January 1, 2022 .

“The goal for our audits of City agencies is not a one-day headline – it’s to help make New York City government work better. That requires following up to see whether agencies are implementing our recommendations. Our new Audit Recommendations Tracker provides public transparency on this important question,” said Comptroller Brad Lander.

Audits are a critical tool to promote efficiency, integrity, performance, and equity in City government. Now, New Yorkers have a way to track how agencies have responded to specific auditor recommendations to improve financial management or program operations, and whether agencies agreed or disagreed with the Comptroller’s recommendations for improving performance. The Comptroller’s office will update and track the status of implementation periodically.

In addition to the tracking of audit outcomes, the portal also invites members of the public to suggest agencies or programs for the Comptroller’s office to audit.

The Comptroller has the authority to audit all matters relating to City finances. Under the New York City Charter, the Comptroller’s Bureau of Audit is required to conduct at least one audit of every City agency at least once every four years. Audits determine whether agencies expended or utilized funds efficiently and whether programs achieve intended goals, results, or benefits.

Since January 2022, the Comptroller’s office has released 25 audits and audit letters focused on how New York City agencies can make the best use of their resources to serve New Yorkers. For example, the office’s audits have shone a spotlight on how:

1. The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) underreported nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in NYC Ferry expenditures. The audit recommended issuing a new RFP to operate the system, in time for the expiration of the current contract in September 2023. EDC agreed to implement this recommendation.

1. The Department of Homeless Services’ (DHS’) lack of due diligence denied homeless families shelter placements. The audit recommended that DHS update its written guidelines for staff research on applicants’ prior housing history, and DHS agreed to do so. However, DHS disagreed with the recommendation to contact or visit shelters or community board organizations where applicants reported having stayed.

1. The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) can learn from pandemic price-gouging to be better prepared for future crises. The audit recommended developing a plan for moving quickly to price-gouging enforcement in future emergencies, learning lessons from the pandemic, and DCWP agreed to do so.

1. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) can accelerate its civilianization initiatives to make better use of resources. The audit recommended that the NYPD ensure that when it identifies duties performed by uniformed personal that are appropriate for civilian personnel, it convert those duties to civilian jobs within a reasonable time frame. The NYPD disagreed with this recommendation.

All audits issued since January 2022 can be found here.

Watch our Audit Recommendations Tracker video here: