A peer review team at the National State Auditors Association says the office of the Vermont State Auditor meets its quality control standards.
The association looked at several large audits that State Auditor Doug Hoffer and his staff performed between October 2013 and April 2015 and gave the office a “pass” rating based on the association’s professional guidelines.
This year’s rating is the highest available under the group’s metrics. This was the first review since Hoffer took office in January 2013, and the group is scheduled to review the auditor’s office every three years.
The peer reviewers primarily looked at a 2015 report on the implementation of an energy savings program in government buildings, a 2014 report on the liquor control system, a 2014 report on the state’s sex offender registry, and a 2013 report on health care in the corrections system.
The Legislature overhauled Vermont’s sex offender this year following Hoffer’s report that 11 percent of records in the registry had errors, and included the names of people who should have been removed years ago.
The Legislature has also ordered that a new committee report by Dec. 15 on whether the state should privatize the Department of Liquor Control, which Hoffer criticized for selling alcohol while regulating it.
“I have an extremely talented team who deserve credit for the high marks on this latest peer review, and I have no doubt that we will continue to maintain this rating following the highest professional standards as we work to hold government accountable,” Hoffer said in a statement.
Hoffer is the latest auditor to work on transitioning the office away from doing financial auditing and into performance auditing. This was the second time the office staff, which includes 13 auditors/investigators and two administrative workers, had its performance function audited.
The National State Auditors Association is part of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers. Hoffer said state auditors across the country must solicit peer reviews on a regular basis to maintain their credibility.
