Auditor prioritizes AI and the city’s budget in his 2025 Audit Plan

Auditor prioritizes AI and the city's budget in his 2025 Audit Plan

Published on October 21, 2024

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DENVER - Denver Auditor Timothy M. O'Brien, CPA, released his 2025 Audit Plan, which includes looking at the city's use of artificial intelligence, the management and funding of "All InMile High" and "House1000" projects, and Denver's budget process, among other risks.

"With the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence and the city's tight budget for 2025, Denver must be ready to address new cybersecurity risks and continue serving the needs of our residents effectively," Auditor O'Brien said. "The 2025 Audit Plan includes suggestions I heard directly from our community and serves as a roadmap to complete independent audits that will benefit city agencies and our constituents."

In 2025, Auditor O'Brien is making it a priority to look at the city's governance and strategy for using artificial intelligence. As agencies continue embracing innovation, emerging technologies require special attention, not only for their great potential, but for their significant risks. Cybersecurity and strong technology management remain priorities for next year's 2025 plan. The goal is to help prevent bad actors from compromising the city's critical systems, applications, and data.

When determining what to audit, we consider the suggestions our community members share with us throughout the year. As a direct result, the 2025 Audit Plan adds a new audit of the mayor's initiatives "House1000" and "All In Mile High." This audit will assess the management and funding of both projects under the leadership of the Mayor's Office.

After more than a year of agency budget cuts and an expected tight budget for 2025, we will also look at the city's budget process to assess transparency, appropriateness, revenue forecasting, and equity when allocating funds.

"It's important we identify efficiencies and ensure the city is acting in line with leading practices. It's good for everyone when we keep the city accountable for its budget. It helps secure the financial health of limited public resources," Auditor O'Brien said.

Other ongoing audits listed in our 2024 plan will be completednext year. Our team will continue examining Denver 311 services, the city's organizational culture, and the Climate Protection Fund. Auditor O'Brien will also prioritize assessments of management and use of resources at the Denver International Airport.

The 2025 Audit Plan brings a combination of performance, financial, information technology, cybersecurity, contract compliance risks, and audit analytics techniques into our integrated auditing process.

Our office uses a risk-based approach to assess, identify, and prioritize what to audit. This approach examines a variety of factors that may expose the city to fraud, misappropriation of funds, liability, or reputational harm. The Audit Plan is a living document that serves the city's best interest. As unanticipated events occur, the plan's flexible nature gives us the discretion to change course in response to evolving initiatives, priorities, and risks.

The independent audit function serves as an essential measure for accountability, good governance, and transparency. Our audit recommendations are intended to help city agencies find ways to improve the work they do. When agencies take our work seriously and make speedy changes, everyone wins.

"I look forward to the year ahead and to keep serving as Denver's check and balance on behalf of our diverse communities," Auditor O'Brien said. "My team and I will continue delivering value and impact to our constituents and decision-makers and adhering to the highest standards to help make Denver a great city for everyone."

AUDITOR TIMOTHY O'BRIEN, CPA
Denver Auditor

Denver Auditor´s Office

201 W. Colfax Ave. #705 Denver, CO 80202
Email: [email protected]
Call: 720-913-5000
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