As a key quality control mechanism, the Office of the City Auditor receives a peer review at least once every three years. This is an audit of the Auditor's Office by a team of independent auditors from within other governmental jurisdictions. This outside auditing group performs an audit in an effort to best determine whether or not an audit organization's work meets government auditing standards.

In the 2010 peer review, the first to analyze the Office of the City Auditor's work since Auditor Ruby took office, the findings state that the office met the highest possible standards of performance in government auditing. This audit, covering the years 2007-2009, also highlighted the comprehensiveness of the Office's policies and procedures, as well as the dedication to technical competence within the staff.

"I promised the citizens of Oakland a model performance audit organization. This peer review established that our internal operations are in full compliance with Government Auditing Standards, guaranteeing that our work is both credible and reliable. With a dedicated and committed staff, in three years we have turned the Auditor's office into an audit organization the citizens of Oakland can be proud of," explains City Auditor Courtney Ruby.

As soon as Auditor Ruby took office in 2007 she instigated a peer review for the work of the previous Auditor's Office from 2004 to 2006; and while the Office did not pass that initial review, it did provide a starting point to instigate rapid improvement for the Oakland Auditor's Office. The results of that investigation are available for download by following this link.

Based upon the conclusions presented by the 2007 peer review team, Auditor Ruby quickly instituted policies and procedures to ensure strict adherence to Government Auditing Standards and guarantees that the Office adheres to the highest standard of professionalism and performance.