Auditor Tera Klutz, CPA
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (ADAMS) – Indiana State Auditor Tera Klutz is now the State Comptroller.
The change became official on July 1st after lawmakers passed a bill to help dispel the misconception that the state auditor’s job is to audit.
The comptroller job oversees the accounting and financial reporting of organizations while auditing government is controlled by the State Board of Accounts and the Department of Revenue.
Klutz proposed the new title when running for office last year.
Read more here
Kltuz’s office released the following:
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 July 1, 2023, with the understanding all previous documents with “Auditor” remain valid.
“The title of ‘State Comptroller’ provides a more appropriate depiction of the services we provide,” said Comptroller Klutz. “We balance the state’s checkbook, distribute tax dollars, provide year-end financial reporting and pay state employees.
“Due to the previous title of State Auditor, the most common misconception of my office was that we audit the State, other local governments or even individual taxpayers; however, those audits are performed by the State Board of Accounts and the Department of Revenue.”
HEA 1001, authored by State Rep. Jeff Thompson (R-Lizton) and sponsored by Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka) includes:
The auditor of state shall also be known as the state comptroller. After June 30, 2023, the auditor of state’s office shall use the title “state comptroller” in conducting state business, in all contracts, on business cards, on stationery, and with other means of communication as necessary. The change in title under this subsection does not invalidate any documents or transactions conducted in the name of the auditor of state.
The new law does not change Indiana’s constitution which creates the position, title and requirements to be elected Auditor of State. Indiana now joins the list of 19 other states who refer to their chief financial officer as the State Comptroller or Controller.
“We will continue serving Hoosiers as we have for the last six years, and now by updating the title we are clearing up a long-running misconception. The responsibilities of the office haven’t changed – just the title on the door.”
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. Effective July 1, 2023, Klutz became the first State Comptroller for Indiana, per House Enrolled Act 1001-2023.
She was appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb in 2017, elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. Comptroller Klutz is focused on providing accurate information, maintaining and enhancing government transparency and delivering great customer service to all Hoosiers — learn more here.
