Journal publication

This project examined why so many municipalities delay submitting their required financial reports to the state, despite the importance of timely data for residents, policymakers, and investors. The analysis found that late fees are minimal - sometimes as low as $20 per day - so governments face little incentive to comply on time. As the data analyst, I cleaned and merged financial reporting datasets, ran statistical models to understand the drivers of audit delays, and created visualizations that highlighted just how weak the current accountability system is. The findings underscore the need for stronger reporting requirements and meaningful penalties to ensure financial transparency.