A federally required audit to ensure compliance with the terms of federal grants received by Allegheny County is the first audit to be completed and issued under the auspices of County Controller Corey O’Connor, who took office in July.

The audit covered 19 grant programs with expenditures of $196 million out of a total of $414 million spent by the County in federal grants. This covers 47 percent of the expenditures, exceeding the 40 percent requirement.

While many government entities utilize outside auditing firms to complete their single audits, the Controller’s office saved more than $100,000 in taxpayer funds by performing the audit in-house.

“Completion of the single audit is one of numerous ways our Auditing division provides value for the taxpayers, saving on costs that would otherwise be paid to outside vendors and ensuring that the terms of receiving crucial federal funding are met,” O’Connor said. “It’s an honor to lead this team of professionals as we pursue a variety of efforts to ensure effectiveness and accountability from County government.”

Among other findings, the audit identified instances in which the Department of Human Services and Department of Health failed to file required documents with the state. Corrective action will allow these departments to maintain compliance and retain the grants.

O’Connor said further audits in progress or planning stages include surveys of programs for the children of individuals incarcerated in the County Jail, taxpayer subsidies to economic development projects, and payments to the VisitPittsburgh tourism promotion agency.

View the Single Audit Report for Year Ended December 31, 2021