JACKSON- Mississippi State Auditor, Stacey Pickering, is participating as a speaker and panelist today at the 2009 Southeastern Intergovernmental Audit Forum (SEIAF) at the historic Read House in downtown Chattanooga, Tenn. discussing auditing challenges with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

This year’s conference theme is, “A Coordinated Strategy for Oversight of the Stimulus Funds,” and Auditor Pickering will emphasize ways to build and strengthen coordinated communication and teamwork for successful oversight of ARRA funds.

Pickering’s speech begins at 1 p.m. about Mississippi’s challenges posed by the federal stimulus funding. Following the speech, he will join the director of the U. S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Executive Director of the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers, and Treasurers (NASACT), the Office of the Inspector General, and the Georgia State Auditor to discuss specific issues and impacts of ARRA funds on States and local government.

“It is important that states and local governments plan ahead, and be prepared with strong controls over programs,” said State Auditor Stacey Pickering. “Our office has been working diligently with federal, state, and local groups since the ARRA passed in February to ensure that Mississippi will have the internal controls and oversight needed to protect the funds coming into the State.”

SEIAF is part of the National Intergovernmental Audit Forum, which has existed for over 30 years as a means for federal, state, and local auditors to discuss issues of common interest and concern and share best practices. The intergovernmental audit forums consist of the National Intergovernmental Audit Forum and 10 regional forums located throughout the United States.

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