The Office of the Houston City Controller and the Institute of Internal Auditors are teaming up to offer cost-effective training options for government auditors.  “Our auditors usually have to travel to other cities for the continuing education they must have to retain their various professional certifications, including the industry designation of Certified Internal Auditor (CIA),” said City Controller Annise Parker.  “This can often be very expensive.  By bringing the experts to Houston , we cut travel costs and reduce the price per attendee.  During these tough economic times, we simply have to look for ways to get the job done at a lower cost.”

The first seminar, featuring Courtenay M. Thompson Jr., is scheduled for tomorrow at the University of Houston 's C. T. Bauer College of Business and will focus on fraud detection and investigation.  Thompson is a recognized authority in training managers, auditors and investigators in fraud-related matters.  He has designed and presented courses on fraud prevention, detection and investigation for business and government organizations worldwide.

A second session on June 9 at the City of Houston 's E.B. Cape Center will provide a comprehensive overview of the 2007 Government Auditing Standards Yellow Book.  This session will be led by Austin City Auditor Stephen L. Morgan.  Morgan's audits played an important role in the City of Austin 's commitment to improve performance measurement and integrate it with strategic planning and budgeting.  Mr. Morgan is also the author of two textbooks on internal auditing currently in use at universities located all around the country. 

“These classes will provide auditors with practical approaches for identifying waste, fraud and mismanagement,” said Jim Owens, who coordinates the program for the controller's office.  “Thanks to Controller Parker, these seminars are open to auditors at governmental agencies throughout the greater Houston area, allowing them the opportunity to also save some valuable tax dollars for their citizens.”

So far, more than 80 participants from nine area governmental organizations have signed up for the two seminars.  The list of attendees includes auditors from the City of Houston , Harris County , the Harris County Hospital District, Montgomery County , the Conroe Independent School District , the Pasadena Independent School District , Houston Community College , Rice University and the University of Houston .

“Because they have the important job of safeguarding your tax dollars from fraud and mismanagement, it is imperative that our governmental auditors receive 80 hours in ongoing professional training every two years as mandated by the Government Auditing Standards of the U.S. Government Accountability Office.” Parker said.  “However, it is wasteful to pay more when we can offer the same training right here at home.”  This is the third year in a row the controller's office has coordinated local training seminars for area auditors.  The effort is serving as a model for more cost-effective training options soon to be implemented for all city departments.

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