Changing the name from State Auditor to State Comptroller is soon-to-be the 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 July 1, 2023, with the understanding all previous documents with “Auditor” remain valid.
Klutz
“I want to thank the members of the General Assembly in helping to clear up common and frequent confusion as to what the office does,” Klutz said. “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 200 years later.”
A frequent and logical misconception of the State Auditor is that it audits the State, local units of governments or individuals; this is not the case. The Indiana State Board of Accounts audits the State and local units of governments, and the Indiana Department of Revenue audits individual taxpayers.
“Comptroller provides a more appropriate title that aligns with the services we provide,” Klutz said. “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 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,” Klutz said. “The State Comptroller will continue with the same duties the office has had for more than 200 years.”
About Tera K. Klutz
Tera K. Klutz is the 57th Indiana Auditor of State and the first Certified Public Accountant (CPA) to serve as the state’s Chief Financial Officer. She was appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb in 2017, elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Auditor Klutz is focused on providing accurate information, maintaining and enhancing government transparency, and delivering great customer service to all Hoosiers. Click here to learn more.