South Carolina Comptroller General

Last updated

Comptroller General of South Carolina
Brian J. Gaines.png
Incumbent
Brian Gaines
since May 12, 2023
Member ofState Fiscal Accountability Authority
Seat Columbia, South Carolina
AppointerGeneral election
Term length Four years, no limit
Constituting instrument Article VI, Section 7, South Carolina Constitution
SalaryUS$151,000 annually
Website Official website

The comptroller general of South Carolina is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the U.S. state of South Carolina. Forty individuals have held the office of comptroller general since 1800. The office has been held by Brian J. Gaines since May 12, 2023, who was appointed by Governor Henry McMaster as a recess appointment following the resignation of Richard Eckstrom on April 30, 2023. [1] [2] [3] McMaster appointed Gaines to avoid a constitutional crisis; since the office was vacant, no person could authorize the distribution of funds. [4]

Contents

The South Carolina Code of Laws of 1976, Title 11, Chapter 3 describes the responsibilities of the Office of the Comptroller General. [5]

History

At the turn of the 19th century, the state of South Carolina's finances were marked by confusion, with officials having difficulty in ascertaining its debts. In response, the office of comptroller general was created with Paul Hamilton as the inaugural holder. [6] In 1948, the comptroller general was added to the State Budget and Control Board, a body tasked with helping to craft the state's budget. [7] The body was changed to the State Fiscal Accountability Authority in 2015. [8]

Election and structure

South Carolina is one of twelve states in the country with an elected comptroller. [lower-alpha 1] The only qualification for candidates for the office is that they be a registered voter in the state. [10] Comptrollers general serve renewable terms of four years. [11]

The comptroller general's office is housed in the Wade Hampton State Office Building. [12] As of May 31, 2023, the agency is staffed by 27 employees. [13] In the event of a vacancy in the office, the General Assembly is empowered by the constitution to appoint a new incumbent. In the event the assembly is not in session, the governor can fill the vacancy with a recess appointment. [14] The comptroller collects an annual salary of $151,000. [15]

Powers and duties

The comptroller general is one of eight statewide constitutional officers in South Carolina. [16] They serve as the chief accountant and fiscal watchdog of state government. [17] As such, the comptroller general monitors state spending, issues warrants authorizing the payment of funds out of the state treasury, maintains the state's accounting system, establishes internal controls for state agencies, provides financial services to state agencies and local governments, and prepares reports on the financial operations and condition of state government, including the state's annual comprehensive financial report. [18] [19] All payrolls for state employees, vouchers for bills owed by the state, and payments between state agencies are processed by the comptroller general. [18]

The comptroller general is also a member of the State Fiscal Accountability Authority (SFAA), an independent state agency which includes the governor, the state treasurer, and the chairs of the budget committees in the General Assembly. [20] The SFAA is generally charged with oversight of state spending and management of state property. [10] [21] In particular, the SFAA acquires insurance for state agencies and local governments, procures goods and services for the operations of state government, and oversees the construction and maintenance of state buildings. [22] [23] In addition, the SFAA appoints South Carolina's state auditor to serve at pleasure. [24] [lower-alpha 2]

List of comptrollers general

Comptrollers General
No.NamePartyTermDurationSources
1 Paul Hamilton   Democratic-Republican 1800–18045 years [28]
2 Thomas Lee   Democratic-Republican 1804–181713 years [28]
3George Warren Cross  Democratic-Republican 18171 year [28]
4Robert Creswell  Democratic-Republican 1817–18192 years [28]
5 John S. Cogdell   Democratic-Republican 1819–18213 years [28]
2 Thomas Lee   Democratic-Republican 1821–18221 year [28]
6Benjamin T. Elmore  Democratic-Republican 1822–18264 years [28]
7Alexander Speer  Democratic-Republican 1826–18304 years [28]
8Thomas Harrison  Nullifier 1830–18344 years [28]
9William Laval  Democratic 1834–18384 years [28]
10William Edward Hayne  Democratic 1838–18424 years [28]
9William Laval  Democratic 1842–18464 years [28]
11William C. Black  Democratic 1846–18504 years [28]
12James B. McCully  Democratic 1850–18544 years [28]
13 John D. Ashmore   Democratic 1854–18584 years [28]
14Thomas J. Pickens  Democratic 1858–18624 years [28]
15James A. Black  Democratic 1862–18664 years [28]
16Simon L. Leaphart Independent 1866–18682 years [28]
17John L. Neagle  Republican 1868–18724 years [28]
18 Solomon L. Hoge   Republican 1872–18742 years [28]
19Thomas C. Dunn  Republican 1874–18762 years [28]
20 Johnson Hagood   Democratic 1876–18804 years [28]
21 John Bratton   Democratic 1880–18822 years [28]
22William E. Stoney  Democratic 1880–18864 years [28]
23John S. Verner  Democratic 1886–18904 years [28]
24 William Haselden Ellerbe   Democratic 1890–18944 years [28]
24James W. Horton  Democratic 1894–18973 years [28]
26Layfayette P. Epton  Democratic 1897–18992 years [28]
27John P. Derham  Democratic 1899–19034 years [28]
28Adolphus W. Jones  Democratic 1903–191512 years [28]
29Carlton W. Sawyer  Democratic 1915–19183 years [28]
30R. Lyles Osborne  Democratic 1918-19202 years [28]
31Wilbert Sutherland  Democratic 1920–19211 year [28]
32Walter E. Duncan  Democratic 1921–19254 years [28]
33A. J. Beattie  Democratic 1925-19439 years [28]
34Eldridge C. Rhodes  Democratic 1943–1967
18 years [28]
35John Henry Mills  Democratic 1967–19769 years [28]
36 Earle Morris   Democratic 1976–199923 years [28]
37 Jim Lander   Democratic 1999–20034 years [28]
38 Richard Eckstrom   Republican 2003–202320 years [28]
39 Brian J. Gaines   Democratic 2023–present1 year, 132 days [29]

Notes

  1. ↑ The other states are California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Texas, and Wyoming. [9]
  2. ↑ The state auditor is a statutory official that functions as the external auditor of state government. [25] [26] [27]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government Accountability Office</span> US federal government agency

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan government agency within the legislative branch that provides auditing, evaluative, and investigative services for the United States Congress. It is the supreme audit institution of the federal government of the United States. It identifies its core "mission values" as: accountability, integrity, and reliability. It is also known as the "congressional watchdog". The agency is headed by the Comptroller General of the United States. The comptroller general is appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate. When a vacancy occurs in the office of the comptroller general, Congress establishes a commission to recommend individuals to the president. The commission consists of the following:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Governor of South Carolina</span> Head of state and of government of the U.S. state of South Carolina

The governor of South Carolina is the head of government of South Carolina. The governor is the ex officio commander-in-chief of the National Guard when not called into federal service. The governor's responsibilities include making yearly "State of the State" addresses to the South Carolina General Assembly, submitting an executive budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Carolina General Assembly</span> Legislative branch of the state government of North Carolina

The North Carolina General Assembly is the bicameral legislature of the state government of North Carolina. The legislature consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The General Assembly meets in the North Carolina State Legislative Building in Raleigh.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Carolina Council of State</span> Collective decision-making body of the state

The North Carolina Council of State is the collective body of ten elective executive offices in the state government of North Carolina, all of which are established by the state constitution. The Council of State includes the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, State Auditor, Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Labor, and Commissioner of Insurance. Together with the North Carolina Cabinet and several independent agencies, the Council of State offices constitute the executive branch of North Carolina's state government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Carolina State Auditor</span> Auditor of the U.S. state of North Carolina

The state auditor of North Carolina is a statewide elected office in the U.S. state of North Carolina. The state auditor is a constitutional officer responsible for overseeing and reviewing the financial accounts of all state government agencies. The auditor also conducts performance audits of state agencies, ensures state agencies' accounting conforms with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, evaluates the integrity of computer-generated information, and investigates the misuse of state funds or property. The incumbent is Jessica Holmes, who became state auditor on December 16, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Maryland</span> State government of the United States

The government of Maryland is conducted according to the Maryland Constitution. The United States is a federation; consequently, the government of Maryland, like the other 49 state governments, has exclusive authority over matters that lie entirely within the state's borders, except as limited by the Constitution of the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minnesota State Auditor</span> Constitutional officer of Minnesota, United States

The state auditor of Minnesota is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the U.S. state of Minnesota. Nineteen individuals have held the office of state auditor since statehood. The incumbent is Julie Blaha, a DFLer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of Wisconsin</span> Constitutional officer in the executive branch of the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin

The secretary of state of Wisconsin is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the government of the U.S. state of Wisconsin, and is second in the line of succession to the office of governor of Wisconsin. Twenty-nine individuals have held the office of secretary of state, two of whom have held non-consecutive terms. The incumbent is Sarah Godlewski, who was appointed by Governor Tony Evers on March 17, 2023, to replace long-time Secretary of State Doug La Follette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York State Comptroller</span> Elected constitutional officer

The New York state comptroller is an elected constitutional officer of the U.S. state of New York and head of the New York state government's Department of Audit and Control. Sixty-one individuals have held the office of State Comptroller since statehood. The incumbent is Thomas DiNapoli, a Democrat.

The New Jersey State Auditor is a constitutional officer appointed by the New Jersey Legislature and administratively placed within the Office of Legislative Services. The Auditor conducts financial and performance audits of State agencies, certain school districts, and vicinages of the Judiciary. The State Auditor also conducts studies on the operation, economy and efficiency of State-run or State-supported programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vermont State Auditor</span> One of six constitutional officers in Vermont, elected statewide every two years

The auditor of accounts of Vermont, informally referred to as "the state auditor", is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of Vermont. Twenty-nine individuals have occupied the office of state auditor since statehood. The incumbent is Douglas R. Hoffer, a Democrat/Progressive. He was first elected to office in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State auditor</span> Executive officer of a U.S. state

State auditors are fiscal officers lodged in the executive or legislative branches of U.S. state governments who serve as external auditors, program evaluators, financial controllers, bookkeepers, or inspectors general of public funds. The office of state auditor may be a creature of the state constitution or one created by statutory law.

The Office of the Auditor General Manitoba—known as the Audit Office (1876–1916), Office of the Comptroller-General (1916–69), and Office of the Provincial Auditor (1969–2001)—is an independent office of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba whose stated purpose is to assist Members of the Legislative Assembly with matters such as accountability and the performance of government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Illinois Comptroller</span> U.S. state constitutional officer position

The Comptroller of Illinois is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of Illinois. Ten individuals have held the office of Comptroller since the enactment of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, replacing the prior office of Auditor of Public Accounts that was first created in 1799. The incumbent is Susana Mendoza, a Democrat.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Secretary of State of South Carolina</span> Elected position

The Secretary of State of South Carolina is an elected constitutional officer in the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The secretary of state is the chief clerk of state government in South Carolina and is responsible for registering businesses and trademarks, regulating charities, authorizing cable franchises, commissioning notaries public, and serving as the filing office for municipal records..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arkansas State Auditor</span> Executive accountant for Arkansas, US

The Arkansas state auditor is a constitutional officer within the executive branch of the U.S. state of Arkansas. Thirty-five individuals have occupied the office of state auditor since statehood. The incumbent is Dennis Milligan, a Republican who took office in 2023.

This local electoral calendar for 2022 lists the subnational elections held in 2022. Referendums, recall and retention elections, and national by-elections are also included.

The Government of the U.S. State of Nebraska, established by the Nebraska Constitution, is a republican democracy modeled after the Federal Government of the United States. The state government has three branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial. Through a system of separation of powers, or "checks and balances," each of these branches has some authority to act on its own, and also some authority to regulate the other two branches, so that all three branches can limit and balance the others' authority. The State Government is based in Lincoln, the capital city of Nebraska.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Carolina Treasurer</span> Constitutional officer

The state treasurer of South Carolina is a constitutional officer in the executive branch of the U.S. state of South Carolina. Twenty one individuals have held the office of state treasurer since it became an elective position in 1865. The incumbent is Curtis Loftis, a Republican.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian J. Gaines</span> American politician

Brian Jerome Gaines is an American civil servant and politician who currently serves as the Comptroller General of South Carolina. He was appointed by Republican Governor Henry McMaster on May 12, 2023, by recess appointment, following the resignation of Richard Eckstrom. He is South Carolina's first black constitutional officer since the Reconstruction era. Election records show that Gaines is a member of the Democratic Party, making him the first Democrat to hold statewide office in South Carolina since Yancey McGill left the lieutenant governor's office in 2015. Gaines's appointment prevented a constitutional crisis; since the office was vacant, no person could authorize the distribution of funds.

References

  1. ↑ "Former Comptrollers". South Carolina Office of the Comptroller General. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  2. ↑ Bustos, Joseph. "With no permanent comptroller general after $3.5B error, who's running the agency?". The State. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Governor McMaster appoints new South Carolina comptroller general". WLTX. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
  4. ↑ Folks, Will. "South Carolina's Comptroller 'Spitball Fight' Creating Constitutional Crisis". www.fitsnews.com. FITS News. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Comptroller General". South Carolina Law. South Carolina Legislative Services Agency. 1976. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  6. ↑ Snowden & Cutler 1920, p. 530.
  7. ↑ Graham 2011, pp. 55, 104.
  8. ↑ "About Us". State Fiscal Accountability Authority. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Table 4.30: State Comptrollers, 2021". The Book of the States, Volume 53. The Council of State Governments. January 7, 2022. pp. 184–185. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  10. 1 2 Bustos, Joseph (April 2, 2023). "SC has 1 requirement to be comptroller general: Be a voter. Will $3.5B blunder change that?". The State . Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  11. ↑ Bustos, Joseph (November 12, 2022). "Statewide elected officials will get sizeable pay bump". The State. pp. 1A, 4A.
  12. ↑ Cope, Cassie (January 31, 2017). "SC likely to borrow millions to pay for repairs, projects". The State. pp. 3A, 6A.
  13. ↑ "Employees by agency" (PDF). South Carolina Department of Administration. May 31, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  14. ↑ Henry, Zoie (March 28, 2023). "Who decides on the next person to fill the role of Comptroller General?". News19. WLTX-TV. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  15. ↑ Budds, Becky (November 11, 2022). "Pay raises for 6 South Carolina elected officials are coming in January". News19. WLTX-TV. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
  16. ↑ South Carolina Legislative Council. "Article VI, Section 7, Constitution of South Carolina" (PDF). South Carolina Legislature. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  17. ↑ South Carolina Legislative Council. "Title 11, Chapter 3, South Carolina Code of Laws". South Carolina Legislature. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  18. 1 2 "About the South Carolina Comptroller's Office". South Carolina Office of the Comptroller General. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  19. ↑ Comptroller General's Accountability Report 2022, p. 2.
  20. ↑ South Carolina Legislative Council. "Title 11, Chapter 55, South Carolina Code of Laws". South Carolina Legislature. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  21. ↑ "About Us". South Carolina Fiscal Accountability Authority. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  22. ↑ "About Us". South Carolina Insurance Reserve Fund. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  23. ↑ "About Us". South Carolina Division of Procurement Services. Retrieved September 1, 2022.
  24. ↑ South Carolina Legislative Council. "Section 11-7-10, South Carolina Code of Laws". South Carolina Legislature. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  25. ↑ "South Carolina State Auditor". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  26. ↑ "About". South Carolina Office of the State Auditor. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  27. ↑ South Carolina Legislative Council. "Title 11, Chapter 7, South Carolina Code of Laws". South Carolina Legislature. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 "Former Comptroller Generals". cg.sc.gov. South Carolina Comptroller General. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Governor McMaster appoints new South Carolina comptroller general". News19. WLTX-TV. May 12, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.

Works cited

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.