Finance Tools, Checklists, and Templates

Auditing

• Audit Preparation Checklist
• Federal Single Audit Checklist

Budgeting

• City/Town Budget Preparation Checklist
• Budget Document Scorecard
• Glossary of Budget Terms
• Sample Budget Ordinance
• Sample Budget Request Letter
• Sample Budget Message

Compliance

• 2026 Legal Compliance Calendar for Clerk/Treasurers and Finance Departments – To print full size, use Legal paper (8.5" x 14")

Financial Reporting

• Sample Schedule 06 Workbook (Excel download) – For cash-basis cities and counties; includes sample calculations for summarizing the agency’s bank reconciliations on a monthly basis, with different tabs for each month as well as a separate tab for year-end totals. Such monthly reconciliations can then be used to complete SAO’s annual Schedule 06 template.

Recommended Resources from Other Organizations

• Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA):
  • GAAFR Appendix D: Illustrative Annual Comprehensive Financial Report – Comprehensive illustrative Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for entities participating in GFOA Certificate of Achievement (COA) program; also see Appendices A-C for sample supporting documentation
  • Comprehensive General-Purpose Checklist – Reference tool to help preparers find the information necessary to prepare an Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) under GFOA's COA program 
• WA State Auditor's Office: Resource Library – Tools, best practices, checklists, and other documents to help government work better, with an emphasis on financial management and reporting