STATEHOUSE – Changing the name from State Auditor to State Comptroller became a soon-to-be reality for Auditor Tera Klutz, CPA, this week as Governor Eric J. Holcomb signed House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1001, the state budget legislation.
Language within the budget allows the name change to take effect on July 1, 2023, with the understanding all previous documents with “Auditor” remain valid.
“I want to thank the members of the General Assembly for helping to clear up common and frequent confusion as to what the office does,” said Auditor Klutz. “When our forefathers created the official position of Auditor of State within the Indiana Constitution, they understood the importance of a balanced government.
“They created the Treasurer of State to manage the cash and the Auditor to issue warrants (checks) and report on state financial operations. However, the term ‘auditor’ means something entirely different to people two hundred years later.”
A frequent and logical misconception of the State Auditor is that it audits the State, local units of government, or individuals – this is not the case. The Indiana State Board of Accounts audits the State and local units of government and the Indiana Department of Revenue audits individual taxpayers.
“Comptroller provides a more appropriate title that aligns with the services we provide,” said Auditor Klutz. “We balance the state’s checkbook, pay state employees, distribute tax dollars and provide year-end financial reporting, among other responsibilities – and this won’t change.”
Indiana will join 19 other states who refer to their state’s chief financial officer as the State Comptroller or Controller.
HEA 1001, authored by State Representative Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) and sponsored by Senator Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka) passed out of the conference committee in the House by a vote of 70-27, and out of the Senate 39-10.
“The name change does not change the functionality of the office,” said Auditor Klutz. “The State Comptroller will continue with the same duties the office has had for more than two hundred years.
