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Georgia State Auditor
From Ballotpedia
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The Georgia State Auditor is a state executive position in the Georgia state government. The auditor heads the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, which performs financial, compliance and performing audits of state agencies. The auditor's office also investigates Medicaid providers, local education agencies, and reviews non-profit organization financial statements. Though a member of the state's executive branch, the auditor is chosen by the Georgia Legislature.
Current officeholder
The current auditor is Russell Hinton, who was appointed by Governor Roy Barnes on June 2, 1999, while the state legislature was out of session. Legislators subsequently confirmed him in March 2000. As the auditor serves at the legislature's pleasure, Hinton is not subject to periodic reappointment.
Before becoming auditor, Hinton was director of the professional practice division in the Department of Audits and Accounts. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia.
Authority
The office of auditor is created by state law.[1]
Georgia Code, 50-6-1
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(a) The Department of Audits and Accounts is created and established. The head of the department shall be an experienced auditor and accountant... |
Qualifications
State law requires that the auditor be an "experienced accountant and auditor" with at least five years of governmental audit experience.[1]
Georgia Code, 50-6-1
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The head of the department shall be an experienced auditor and accountant with not less than five years' experience as an accountant in the Department of Audits and Accounts or in a governmental agency of a similar nature or shall be a duly certified public accountant with at least five years' practical experience in the duties for which he is certified... |
Appointments
The auditor is appointed by the Georgia Legislature by a majority vote of both houses. The governor then administers the oath of office.[1]
Georgia Code, 50-6-1
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The state auditor shall be elected by the General Assembly in the following manner: A joint resolution which shall fix a definite time for the nomination and election of the state auditor may be introduced in either branch of the General Assembly. Upon passage of the resolution by a majority vote of the membership of the Senate and House of Representatives it shall be the duty of the Speaker of the House of Representatives to call for the nomination and election of the state auditor at the time specified in the resolution, at which time the name of the qualified person receiving a majority vote of the membership of the House of Representatives shall be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation. Upon the qualified person's receiving a majority vote of the membership of the Senate, he shall be declared the duly elected state auditor; and the Governor shall be notified of his election by the Secretary of the Senate. The Governor is directed to administer the oath of office to the state auditor and to furnish the state auditor with a properly executed commission of office certifying his election. |
Term limits
There are no term limits associated with the office of auditor.
Vacancies
If a vacancy occurs, the Georgia Legislature appoints a new officeholder in the standard fashion. If the vacancy occurs while the legislature is not in session, the governor appoints an acting auditor who serves until legislators reconvene.
Duties
The state auditor oversees the Georgia Department of Audits and Accounts, which performs compliance, financial and performance audits of state agencies. It also audits Medicaid providers, local governments and school, the state Department of Community Health, and reviews the financial statements of non-profit organizations.
The state auditor's office is also responsible for providing the state legislature research on the fiscal effects of proposed legislation.
Divisions
- Audit and Assurance Services
- State Government
- Education Audit
- Performance Audit
- Healthcare Audits
- Technology Risk & Assurance
- Non Profit and Local Government
- Equalized Property Tax Digest
- Internal Operations
- Administration
- IT
- Office of Quality Assurance[2]
Compensation
In 2010, the auditor received a salary of $152,160.
Contact info
Address:
270 Washington Street, S.W., Room 1-156
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone:
(404) 656-2180
See also
External links
References
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