What You Do
48 states include a state-level position known as auditor, comptroller, or auditor general, that supervises and has administrative rights over the accounting and financial functions of the state. The state auditor belongs to the executive or legislative branch depending on the state, and can be elected or appointed depending on the state. There are 23 legislative auditor offices and 33 state executive auditor offices, and 8 states have both. Check out this resource for additional information.
“We have to build a future that we want to see in a more reflective democracy, and that’s going to start with us.”
Gabriella Cazares-Kelly
County Recorder, Pima County, AZ
Responsibilities
Auditors scrutinize, supervise and serve as watchdogs over the accounting and financial actions of the state, including each state agency and in some cases quasi-state agencies that operate under legislative authorization. Auditors make sure that state agencies are efficient and compliant with the law.
Helpful Skills
While not legally required, a college finance or accounting degree, and experience conducting internal audits is essential for getting elected and conducting the work of an auditor. Familiarity with state agencies, their leaders and missions is helpful if not required.
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Salary and HoursDepending on the jurisdiction city/town councils meet every other week, or one time per month. You can view a sample council meeting agenda here. Often, members will serve in sub committees in addition to the council at large. In many cities and towns council members are reimbursed for travel, or they receive a salary for their service. Salaries on the low end are approximately $10,000 and the high end at $320,000. Some jurisdictions offer benefits like health care insurance and pensions. The staff supporting city/ town councils usually includes an attorney and at least one clerk and secretary. The president of the city council in larger jurisdictions may have their own Chief of Staff. Like their legislative counterparts, city/town councilors work hard, often spending their time away from the council chamber in the community meeting with or serving constituents.
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Sample CampaignA campaign for city council in Nebraska will look vastly different than a campaign in New York. The cost of campaigns is directly proportional to the size of the voting population: more people equals more money, smaller population equals more canvassing and person to person communication. Targeted communication, an essential component of a winning campaign, requires money for postage and other forms of paid media. Candidates don’t need millions – increasingly cities and towns are building public funding mechanisms for local campaigns – but every candidate will need the resources to communicate with the voters that can get them elected. Starting as early as 18 months out from an election will be super helpful in affording the time a candidate needs to build a winning campaign structure. Most local races are run and won with part time campaigns, and volunteer staff.
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Requirements to RunTypical requirements include: Be 18 years of age at the start of the term. Be a resident of the district that the individual is running to represent. Be a US citizen. Be free of felony convictions. Mentally capable to serve (not to have been determined mentally incapacitated by a court of law). Legal requirements to seek and serve on a city/town council vary by jurisdiction. Most places require that the candidate live in the district they seek to serve, either before the election or shortly after. Candidates must almost universally be registered to vote in the district. There are no particular education requirements.