April Christensen

This strategic plan for the Wyoming State Auditor's Office (SAO) outlines goals and objectives for fiscal years 2027-2028, focusing on refining standard operations, reducing the biennial budget, and increasing services. Key priorities include the continued operation and enhancement of the state's electronic accounting system (WOLFS, HRM, infoAdvantage, and the full ADV4 Suite), ensuring timely and accurate payment of state obligations, and preparing the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). The plan also emphasizes promoting government financial transparency through platforms like WyOpen.gov, providing robust training and support to state agency users, expanding pre-audit processes, assisting with cost accounting, and streamlining payment processes. The overarching aim is to ensure responsible and transparent stewardship of state assets and effective response to the needs of residents and guests.

The State Loan and Investment Board, in consultation with the State Treasurer, discussed recommendations regarding modifications to the spending policy for the earnings on the Permanent Wyoming Mineral Trust Fund (PWMTF) and the Common School Permanent Land Fund (CSPLF). The board agreed with the recommendation that no changes be made to the current spending policy, supporting the five percent long-term spending policy to maintain the real value of the portfolio's assets and support the state's spending needs.

The Wyoming State Auditor's Office (SAO) Strategic Plan for fiscal years 2023-2024 outlines the goals and objectives of the SAO through June 30, 2024. The SAO prioritizes the operation of the electronic accounting system, payment of state obligations, and preparation of the ACFR as essential objectives. The strategic approach involves focusing resources on the electronic accounting system, developing a training program, expanding pre-audit processes, reviewing expenditure and revenue coding, assisting agencies in cost accounting, streamlining payment processes, ensuring timely submission of the ACFR, supporting the transparency platform, and managing helpdesk requests.

The State Loan and Investment Board meeting included discussions and recommendations regarding changes to the spending policy for the Permanent Mineral Trust Fund and the Common School Permanent Land Fund. The recommendations included changing the spending policy to a percentage of assets calculation, adopting a five-year rolling average market value approach for spending purposes, and gradually decreasing the spending rate to a sustainable level of 5.0%. The board also acknowledged the annual conflict of interest disclosures filed by various staff members.

The strategic plan for the State of Wyoming State Auditor's Office focuses on accounting for and tracking state monies, ensuring the state's financial obligations are paid, and preparing the state's financial records. Key initiatives include maintaining the electronic accounting system, training users, expanding pre-audit processes, updating expenditure and revenue coding, assisting agencies with cost accounting, streamlining payment processes, and ensuring timely submission of the ACFR. The plan also prioritizes customer service, transparency, and support for federal stimulus fund expenditures.