Episode 21 - Mark Funkhouser

In this thrilling episode of "Auditor Saved the World," we dive into the inspiring journey of Mark Funkhouser, a former teacher and social worker turned powerhouse performance auditor. Discover how Mark's passion for justice and precision transformed him into a hero impacting thousands of lives. From his humble beginnings in West Virginia to his groundbreaking work in Kansas City, Mark shares his secrets for amplifying impact and turning effort into meaningful change. Tune in to learn how purpose meets power in the world of auditing, and be inspired by Mark's relentless drive to make every action count. Don't miss this action-packed episode filled with insights, stories, and a call to action for all truth seekers. Subscribe now and join us on this adventure!Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:15 Mark's Early Career05:30 Transition to Auditing10:45 Impactful Audits and Innovations15:20 Lessons from International Audits20:00 Mark's Vision for the Future25:30 Closing Thoughts and Call to ActionAbout Mark Funkhouser:Mark Funkhouser is a municipal finance and government performance expert who has spent decades in public service.As the mayor of Kansas City during the Great Recession, Mark made the tough choices to put his city on the path to fiscal sustainability and focused on “smart with the money” policy approaches to make the city work for regular people. As the publisher of Governing magazine, Mark continued his commitment to good government through promoting innovation and peer learning across state and local jurisdictions.In 2019, he founded Funkhouser & Associates, a consulting firm that supports the work of local governments and their partners through engagement, strategic planning, capacity development and fiscal analysis. Mark is the founder of the International Center for Performance Auditing (ICPA) and a founding member of the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA). He previously spent 18 years with the Office of the City Auditor of Kansas City and 10 years with the Tennessee Division of State Audit. He has dedicated his career, research and writing to advancing the public sector performance auditing profession and strengthening its real-world impact.Mark holds a master’s degree in social work from West Virginia University, an MBA from Tennessee State University, and an interdisciplinary PhD in public administration and urban sociology from the University of Missouri at Kansas City.