Why We Exist

In 1985, the General Assembly established the Controller’s Office following the recommendations of a legislative study commission to solve the following problems at that time with the state accounting system:

• Fragmented and dispersed authority for the operation and management of the state accounting system;
• Lack of a single control authority staff to operate and manage the state accounting system; and
• Decentralized accounting system processing that affected the accuracy of state financial information.

The General Assembly determined that the citizens of North Carolina would be best served by moving accounting, disbursing and financial reporting functions from the Office of State Budget and Management and the State Auditor’s Office and creating an independent, non-partisan State Controller’s Office.  Their goal was to provide a source of checks and balances between the branches of government to ensure there was an appropriate accounting of public funds and integrity in the State’s fiscal reports. To do otherwise would put the State’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) and other financial documents at risk for the potential of omitted or slanted material statements and thus impact the confidence of the bond rating agencies and the public in North Carolina’s financial reports.

The Office of the State Controller (OSC) performs a critical role in sustaining government activities from state agencies to universities and community colleges. The Controller works with the State’s fiscal officers throughout state government to ensure the reliability, integrity, objectivity, accountability and efficiency of the State’s fiscal operations.  OSC provides leadership and professional guidance relating to fiscal policy. OSC works to ensure that state government is acting in a manner that minimizes risk and maintains the integrity of its fiscal operations.