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Arizona Auditor General

From Ballotpedia
Arizona Auditor General

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General information
Office Type:  Nonpartisan
Office website:  Official Link
Compensation:  $186,000
2025 FY Budget:  $26,722,700
Term limits:  None
Structure
Length of term:   5 years
Authority:  Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 41, Chapter 7, Article 10.1, Section 1279.01
Selection Method:  Appointed by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Current Officeholder(s)

Arizona Auditor General Lindsey Perry
Nonpartisan
Assumed office: April 18, 2018

Other Arizona Executive Offices
GovernorLieutenant GovernorSecretary of StateAttorney GeneralTreasurerSuperintendent of Public InstructionAuditorAgriculture DirectorInsurance and Financial Institutions DirectorLands CommissionerLabor DirectorCorporation CommissionState Mine Inspector

TheArizona Auditor General is a legislative position in the Arizona state government. The website for the auditor general says the position serves as an "independent source of impartial information concerning state and local governmental entities and provides specific recommendations to improve [their] operations."[1] His or her office determines whether state agencies use their resources effectively and comply with applicable laws. It also establishes accounting and budgeting standards. Though the auditor general is not involved in the lawmaking process, the auditor general is technically a part of the legislative branch and is appointed by the legislature.

Current officeholder

The current Arizona Auditor General isLindsey Perry (nonpartisan). Perry assumed office in 2018.

Authority

The office of auditor general is established by Arizona statute.[2]

Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 41, Chapter 7, Article 10.1, Section 1279.01

A. There shall be an auditor general who shall be appointed by the [Joint Legislative Audit Committee] and approved by a concurrent resolution of the legislature.

Qualifications

The auditor general, per state law, must be a certified public accountant licensed in Arizona in good standing with the state boards of accountancy.[2]

Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 41, Chapter 7, Article 10.1, Section 1279.01

The auditor general must be a certified public accountant licensed to practice in this state and is subject to the standards and ethics of the accounting profession as regulated by the Arizona state board of accountancy.

Appointments

The auditor general is appointed by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and "approved by a concurrent resolution of the legislature."[2] Unlike most other Arizona executive officers, the auditor general is technically under the purview of the legislature, not the governor. He or she is appointed for a five year term and takes office immediately upon appointment. The auditor general may also be removed from office at any time by a concurrent resolution of the legislation.

Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 41, Chapter 7, Article 10.1, Section 1279.01

A. There shall be an auditor general who shall be appointed by the committee and approved by a concurrent resolution of the legislature. [...]

B. The term of office for the person serving as auditor general is five years beginning on the date of the person's appointment. A person serving as auditor general is eligible for reappointment.

C. A person serving as auditor general may be removed from office at any time by a concurrent resolution of the legislature receiving the concurrence of a majority of the members of each house.

Vacancies

Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that details the process of filling vacancies for a state executive office. That information for the Arizona Auditor General has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, pleaseemail us.

Duties

According to the office's official website, the auditor general's mission is to:[1]

  • "Ascertain whether public entities are making wise use of their resources," including public money, personnel, equipment, etc.
  • "Determine whether public entities are complying with applicable laws, regulations, and governmental accounting and financial and reporting standards"
  • "Define standards and establish procedures for accounting and budgeting, as the Legislature requires; and"
  • "Provide technical assistance to state and local governmental entities."

The auditor general's office audits state agencies, counties, community college districts and school districts. It also completes specific research and investigative projects in response to legislative request, including economic and fiscal impact studies of large public works projects.[3]

Divisions

Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Arizona Auditor General has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, pleaseemail us.

State budget

See also:Arizona state budget and finances

The budget for the State Auditor's Office in Fiscal Year 2025 was $26,722,700.[4]

Compensation

See also:Compensation of state executive officers

The auditor general's compensation is determined by the Department of Administration in its annual recommendation to the legislature.[5]

2023

In 2023, the officer's salary was $186,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[6]

2022

In 2022, the officer's salary was $130,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[7]

2021

In 2021, the auditor general received a salary of $130,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[8]

2020

In 2020, the auditor general received a salary of $141,986 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[9]

2019

In 2019, the auditor general received a salary of $141,986 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[10]

2018

In 2018, the auditor general received a salary of $141,986 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[11]

2017

In 2017, the auditor general received a salary of $141,986 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[12]

Historical officeholders

Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Arizona Auditor General has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, pleaseemail us.

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the termsArizona Auditor General. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

Contact info

Physical address:
2910 N. 44th St.
Ste. 410
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phone: (602) 553-0333

See also

ArizonaState Executive ElectionsNews and Analysis
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External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.01.1State of Arizona Office of the Auditor General, "Office Overview," accessed January 6, 2021
  2. 2.02.12.2Arizona Revised Statutes, "Title 41, Chapter 7, Article 10.1, Section 1279.01," accessed January 6, 2021
  3. State of Arizona Office of the Auditor General, "Reports & Publications," accessed June 7, 2011
  4. Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee, "Summary of Appropriated Funds by Agency - Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025," accessed January 15, 2025
  5. Arizona Revised Statutes, "Title 38, Chapter 4, Article 1, Section 611," accessed June 7, 2011
  6. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 15, 2025
  7. Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
  8. Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
  9. Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 5, 2021
  10. Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 5, 2021
  11. Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 5, 2021
  12. Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 5, 2021
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