Midwestern Intergovernmental Audit Forum (MIAF) Market Research Report

Background

Overview

The Midwestern Intergovernmental Audit Forum (MIAF) is a regional association dedicated to enhancing communication, coordination, and cooperation among federal, state, and local audit agencies within the Midwestern United States. Serving Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, MIAF aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of governmental operations through collaborative efforts.

Mission and Vision

MIAF's mission is to foster a community where audit executives can identify, define, and solve common auditing problems, thereby promoting effective and efficient governmental operations. The forum envisions a collaborative environment that enhances government performance, accountability, and transparency across the Midwest.

Primary Area of Focus

The forum focuses on facilitating the exchange of information and ideas related to auditing and financial management among its members. This includes addressing interagency conflicts, promoting the development and implementation of auditing standards, and providing training opportunities to enhance the competency of audit staff.

Industry Significance

As part of the broader network of Intergovernmental Audit Forums, MIAF plays a crucial role in ensuring that governmental audits are conducted effectively, thereby contributing to the overall integrity and transparency of public sector operations. Its collaborative approach helps in identifying and resolving common auditing challenges, leading to improved public trust in governmental financial management.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

• Enhancing Communication and Coordination: Facilitating regular meetings and discussions among audit executives to address common auditing issues.

• Promoting Auditing Standards: Encouraging the development, acceptance, and uniform interpretation of auditing standards, including the Government Auditing Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.

• Providing Training Opportunities: Offering training sessions to ensure that audit staff remain competent and up-to-date with current auditing practices.

Specific Areas of Specialization

• Interagency Cooperation: Developing strategies to improve interagency and intergovernmental cooperation in auditing processes.

• Audit Quality Assurance: Implementing peer quality assessments to enhance the quality and effectiveness of audits conducted by member agencies.

Key Technologies Utilized

While specific technological platforms are not detailed in the available information, MIAF emphasizes the importance of adopting modern auditing tools and methodologies to improve audit quality and efficiency.

Primary Markets or Conditions Targeted

MIAF primarily targets governmental audit agencies within the six Midwestern states, focusing on enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of their auditing processes.

Financials and Funding

As a non-profit organization, MIAF's funding primarily comes from member contributions and registration fees for meetings and events. Specific financial details, including total funds raised and recent funding rounds, are not publicly disclosed. The capital is utilized to support forum activities, including organizing meetings, providing training sessions, and developing resources to assist member agencies in improving their auditing practices.

Pipeline Development

MIAF does not engage in product development or clinical trials. Its focus is on facilitating the exchange of auditing knowledge and best practices among its members. The forum organizes annual meetings and webinars to address current and emerging issues in governmental auditing. For instance, the 2024 MIAF Free Webinar covered topics such as federal spending data quality, root cause analysis, and auditing affordable housing and encampment response.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

MIAF does not develop proprietary technologies. Instead, it focuses on promoting the adoption of best practices and modern auditing tools among its member agencies.

Significant Scientific Methods

• Peer Quality Assessments: MIAF has sponsored peer review projects to combat audit duplication and improve resource utilization among member agencies.

• Root Cause Analysis: The forum addresses the underlying causes of audit findings to enhance the effectiveness of auditing processes.

AI-Driven Capabilities

While specific AI-driven capabilities are not detailed, MIAF encourages the integration of advanced technologies to improve audit quality and efficiency.

Leadership Team

Executive Committee

• Chairperson: Beth Kelley, Deputy State Examiner, Indiana State Board of Accounts

• Vice-Chairperson: Colin May, Federal Representative

• State Representatives:

• Nanci Bashore, Audit Manager, Michigan Auditor General’s Office

• Robert R. Hinkle, Chief Deputy Auditor, Ohio Auditor of State’s Office

• Local Representatives:

• Ronda M. Kohlheim, Inspector General, Office of the City Clerk, City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• Darwyn Jones, Deputy Inspector General, City of Chicago

• Executive Director: Katheryn S. Hubbell, U.S. Government Accountability Office

Professional Backgrounds and Contributions

• Beth Kelley: With extensive experience in state auditing, Beth Kelley serves as the Deputy State Examiner for the Indiana State Board of Accounts, contributing to the forum's leadership with her expertise in state-level auditing practices.

• Colin May: As a Federal Representative, Colin May brings a federal perspective to the forum, facilitating coordination between federal and state/local audit agencies.

• Nanci Bashore: Serving as an Audit Manager at the Michigan Auditor General’s Office, Nanci Bashore provides insights into state auditing processes and challenges.

• Robert R. Hinkle: As Chief Deputy Auditor at the Ohio Auditor of State’s Office, Robert R. Hinkle offers expertise in state auditing and financial management.

• Ronda M. Kohlheim: As Inspector General for the City of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Ronda M. Kohlheim contributes a local government perspective to the forum's discussions.

• Darwyn Jones: Serving as Deputy Inspector General for the City of Chicago, Darwyn Jones brings experience in municipal auditing and oversight.

• Katheryn S. Hubbell: As the Executive Director from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, Katheryn S. Hubbell oversees the forum's operations and strategic direction.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

MIAF operates within a network of regional Intergovernmental Audit Forums, each serving different geographic areas. These forums collectively aim to improve governmental auditing practices across the United States. The market for such forums is characterized by a collaborative approach to addressing common auditing challenges and promoting best practices.

Competitor Analysis

• Mid-America Intergovernmental Audit Forum (MAMIAF): Serving Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska, MAMIAF focuses on promoting communication and cooperation among audit agencies in the Mid-America region.

• Mid-Atlantic Intergovernmental Audit Forum (MAIAF): Serving Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia, MAIAF aims to enhance governmental auditing through improved coordination and communication.

• Western Intergovernmental Audit Forum (WIAF): Serving Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and various U.S. territories, WIAF focuses on fostering effectiveness and efficiency in governmental operations through collaborative auditing efforts.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

MIAF collaborates with other regional forums and the National Intergovernmental Audit Forum (NIAF) to address intergovernmental audit issues on a broader scale. These collaborations enhance the forum's capacity to promote effective auditing practices and standards.

Operational Insights

MIAF's collaborative approach, combined with its focus on training and standardization, positions it as a key player in improving governmental auditing practices within the Midwest. Its ability to address common challenges and promote best practices contributes to its competitive advantage.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Strategic Roadmap

MIAF plans to continue enhancing its collaborative efforts by organizing more specialized training sessions, expanding its membership base, and increasing engagement with other governmental and professional organizations. These initiatives aim to strengthen the forum's impact on improving governmental auditing practices.

Future Business Directions

The forum is exploring opportunities to integrate advanced technologies into its operations, such as data analytics and artificial intelligence, to improve audit quality and efficiency. Additionally, MIAF aims to expand its influence by engaging with a broader range of stakeholders in the public and private sectors.

Opportunities for Expansion

MIAF is considering expanding its membership to include more local government agencies and private sector partners involved in governmental auditing. This expansion could provide a more comprehensive platform for addressing auditing challenges and improve collaborative efforts across different levels of government.