What does New York’s comptroller do? Meet the candidates running this November

NEW YORK — New York voters will see several statewide races on the ballot this election season, including the state’s top official, the governor, and the state’s top prosecutor, the attorney general. Voters will also cast their ballots for what many call the state’s top fiscal officer, the comptroller. The comptroller acts as the state’s checkbook, approving state contracts and payments, running state payroll and managing the state accounting system. The comptroller is in charge of the more than $250 billion state pension fund, covering over one million state and local workers. The comptroller’s office regularly performs audits of municipal budgets. For example, in the Southern Tier, a 2025 audit in the town of Windsor found the board did not effectively manage the town’s fund balance or develop a written multiyear financial plan. The office then provides recommendations for the municipality’s financial management and publishes the audit for public transparency.

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