California State Auditor
| California State Auditor | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $232,858 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $51,373,000 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | California Government Code, Title 2, Chapter 6.5, Article 1, Sections 8543 and 8543.2 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by governor |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
California State Auditor Grant Parks | |
| Other California Executive Offices | |
| Governor •Lieutenant Governor •Secretary of State •Attorney General •Treasurer •Auditor •Controller •Superintendent of Public Instruction •Agriculture Secretary •Insurance Commissioner •Natural Resources Secretary •Industrial Relations Director •Public Utilities Commission | |
TheCalifornia State Auditor is an appointed, quasi-executive office in the California state government. The auditor heads the Bureau of State Audits, which evaluates the performance and management of state agencies, and ensures their financial statements accord with generally accepted accounting principles. The bureau also investigates improper governmental activity in California government ranging from economically wasteful practices to gross misconduct.[1]
Current officeholder
The current California State Auditor isGrant Parks (nonpartisan). Parks assumed office in 2023.
Authority
Unlike the auditor's financial management counterparts, thetreasurer andcontroller, the auditor is established by statute, not thestate constitution.[2]
California Government Code, Section 8543/8543.2
8543. There is hereby created in state government the Bureau of State Audits under the direction of the Milton Marks "Little Hoover" Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy. In order to be free of organizational impairments to independence, the bureau shall be independent of the executive branch and legislative control. |
Qualifications
State law requires that the auditor "possess a combination of education and experience in auditing and management necessary to perform the duties of the office."[3]
California Government Code, Section 8543.3
The State Auditor shall be chosen without reference to party affiliation and solely on the ground of fitness to perform the duties of the office. Prior to selection, the State Auditor shall possess a combination of education and experience in auditing and management necessary to perform the duties of the office. |
Appointments
The auditor is appointed by theGovernor of California for a term of four years from a slate of three individuals nominated by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. The nominees must have received the approval of a majority of each chamber's committee membership.[4]
California Government Code, Section 8543.2
(a) The head of the bureau is the State Auditor, who shall be appointed by the Governor from a list of three qualified individuals nominated by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee by a vote of at least a majority of the committee membership from each house of the Legislature. |
Term limits
There are no term limits associated with the office of auditor.
Vacancies
Vacancies in the office of auditor are filled in the same manner as normal appointments. Vacancy appointments are made to a full term.[4]
Duties
As of January 12, 2021, the stated duties of the auditor were:[5]
| “ | Legislature Administration Public State Employees | ” |
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 California State Auditor 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:California state budget and finances
The budget for the California State Audit Bureau in the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year was $51,373,000.[7]
Compensation
The salaries of California's elected executives are determined by the California Citizens Compensation Commission, a seven-member board appointed by the governor to six-year terms. The commission was established after voters passedProposition 112, an amendment to theCalifornia Constitution, in 1990. Commissioners meet prior to June 30 of each year to determine salary recommendations with changes effective the following December. From 2001 to 2013, the commission voted to increase salaries or benefits five times and decreased or made no changes to salaries eight times.[8]
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $232,858, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[9]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $227,179, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[10]
2021
In 2021, the auditor received a salary of $217,292, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[11]
2020
In 2020, the auditor received a salary of $217,292 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[12]
2019
In 2019, the auditor received a salary of $209,944 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[13]
2018
In 2018, the auditor received a salary of $201,869 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[14]
2017
In 2017, the auditor received a salary of $194,105 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[15]
2016
In 2016, the auditor’s salary was increased to $188,451 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[16]
2015
In 2015, the auditor’s salary was increased to $183,852 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[17]
2014
In 2014, the state auditor received a salary of$175,000 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[18]
2013
In 2013, the state auditor received a salary of$175,000 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[19]
2010
In 2010, the state auditor received a salary of$175,000 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[20]
Historical officeholders
Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the California State Auditor 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 termsCalifornia State Auditor. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Capitol Address:
621 Capitol Mall, Suite 1200
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 445-0255
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ California State Auditor, " Mission and Philosophy," accessed January 12, 2021
- ↑California Government Code, "Title 2, Chapter 6.5, Article 1, Sections 8543 and 8543.2," accessed January 12, 2021
- ↑California Government Code, "Title 2, Chapter 6.5, Article 1, Section 8543.3," accessed January 12, 2021
- ↑4.04.1California Government Code, "Title 2, Chapter 6.5, Article 1, Section 8543.2," accessed January 12, 2021
- ↑California State Auditor, "How We Serve You," accessed January 12, 2021
- ↑Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑California Budget, "2024-25 Budget - 8855 California State Auditor's Office," accessed January 15, 2025
- ↑California Citizens Compensation Commission, "About the Commission," accessed January 12, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 15, 2025
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 22, 2022
- ↑Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 12, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 12, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 12, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 12, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed November 14, 2014
- ↑The Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2013, Table 4.11," accessed February 2, 2014
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2010 -- Table 4.11," accessed June 23, 2011
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