WASHINGTON STATE – An audit report from the Washington State Auditor’s Office has highlighted significant issues with the Military Department’s handling of travel cards between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2024. The audit revealed that the department lacked adequate internal controls and did not comply with its own policies regarding travel card use.
The report found that during the audit period, employees made over 1,900 transactions totaling about $365,000. Notably, 19 instances of personal charges on state travel cards were identified. In two cases, employees left their positions without settling their travel card balances, forcing the department to cover the costs. One employee’s unpaid balance was $2,661, while another’s was $1,379.
The audit also discovered that some employees used travel cards without completing the required training. This lack of oversight led to improper card use, including non-emergency airfare purchases.
Management did not effectively monitor travel card use or ensure that employees completed necessary training, the report stated. This failure increased the risk of state fund misuse.
The Washington State Auditor recommended strengthening internal controls to ensure travel cards are used solely for business-related purposes. The department was also advised to enforce training completion before issuing travel cards.
In response, the State Finance Division acknowledged the findings and agreed to update internal policies and procedures. They emphasized that expenses not related to travel were not reimbursed and committed to addressing the issues raised in the audit.
The Washington State Auditor’s Office will review the department’s corrective actions in the next audit. For more details, visit the Washington State Auditor’s website.
