Auditor General, Office of

Auditor General David A. Bergantino

The Office of the Auditor General was established in 1974 to provide independent evaluations of government programs to the General Assembly. Audits are performed as required by statute, or as directed by the Joint Committee on Legislative Services, a bipartisan committee consisting of the Speaker of the House, the Senate President, and the Majority and Minority Leaders of the House and Senate.

The Office of the Auditor General is responsible for conducting an annual financial audit of the State’s financial statements and an annual compliance audit (federal single audit) of all federal assistance received during each fiscal year. Other annual audit responsibilities include the Rhode Island Lottery, the Employees’ Retirement System of Rhode Island, and the State Employees' and Electing Teachers OPEB System. Additional responsibilities in any given year may include: (a) conducting other financial or performance audits as required by statute or as requested by the Joint Committee on Legislative Services; (b) oversight of municipalities, fire districts and charter schools; and (c) making determinations regarding emergency situations which would permit a municipality to exceed the statutory cap on annual property tax levy increases.