Arizona Auditor General

Arizona Auditor General
General information
Office Type:	Non-partisan
Office website:	Official Link
Term limits:	None
Structure
Length of term:	5 years
Authority:	Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 41, Chapter 7, Article 10.1, Section 1279.01
Selection Method:	Appointed by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee
Current Officeholder
Name:	Debra Davenport
Officeholder Party:	Nonpartisan
Assumed office:	October 12, 1999
Compensation:	$118,992
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Arkansas Businessman

The Arizona Auditor General is a legislative position in the Arizona state government. The auditor general serves as an "independent source of impartial information concerning state and local governmental entities and provides specific recommendations to improve [their] operations." His or her office determines whether state agencies use their resources effectively and comply with applicable laws. It also establishes accounting and budgeting standards. Though the auditor general is not involved in the lawmaking process, he is technically a part of the legislative branch and is appointed by the legislature.

Current officeholder

Arizona's current auditor general is Debra Davenport, who was first appointed on October 12, 1999 and reappointed in 2004 and 2009. Davenport will next be up for reappointment in 2014, at the end of her current five year term.

Before her appointment, Davenport served as deputy auditor general, "held management positions in the office's Financial Audit and Accounting Services Divisions, and was the Special Assistant to the Auditor General." Before entering public service, Davenport was an audit manager with a CPA firm. She graduated from Arizona State University with a B.S. in Business Administration (accounting).

Authority

The office of auditor general is established by Arizona statute.

Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 41, Chapter 7, Article 10.1, Section 1279.01

A. There shall be an auditor general who shall be appointed by the [Joint Legislative Audit Committee] and approved by a concurrent resolution of the legislature.

Qualifications

The auditor general, per state law, must be a certified public accountant licensed in Arizona in good standing with the state boards of accountancy.

Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 41, Chapter 7, Article 10.1, Section 1279.01

The auditor general must be a certified public accountant licensed to practice in this state and is subject to the standards and ethics of the accounting profession as regulated by the Arizona state board of accountancy.

Appointments

The auditor general is appointed by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and "approved by a concurrent resolution of the legislature." Unlike most other Arizona executive officers, the auditor general is technically under the purview of the legislature, not the governor. He or she is appointed for a five year term and takes office immediately upon appointment. The auditor general may also be removed from office at any time by a concurrent resolution of the legislation.

Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 41, Chapter 7, Article 10.1, Section 1279.01

A. There shall be an auditor general who shall be appointed by the committee and approved by a concurrent resolution of the legislature. [...] B. The term of office for the person serving as auditor general is five years beginning on the date of the person's appointment. A person serving as auditor general is eligible for reappointment. C. A person serving as auditor general may be removed from office at any time by a concurrent resolution of the legislature receiving the concurrence of a majority of the members of each house.

Duties

The auditor general's mission is to:

• "Ascertain whether public entities are making wise use of their resources," including public money, personnel, equipment, etc.
• "Determine whether public entities are complying with applicable laws, regulations, and governmental accounting and financial and reporting standards"
• "Define standards and establish procedures for accounting and budgeting, as the Legislature requires; and"
• "Provide technical assistance to state and local governmental entities."

The auditor general's office audits state agencies, counties, community college districts and school districts. It also completes "highly specific research and investigate projects in response to legislative request," including economic and fiscal impact studies of large public works projects.

Compensation

In 2010, the auditor general received compensation in the amount of $118,992. His or her compensation is determined by the Department of Administration in its annual recommendation to the legislature.

Contact info

Physical address:
2910 N. 44th St.
Ste. 410
Phoenix, AZ 85018
Phone: (602) 553-0333 Fax: (602) 553-0051

See also

• Auditor
• Arizona State Legislature

External links

• State of Arizona Office of the Auditor General