Texas State Auditor
| Texas State Auditor | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $245,850 |
| 2026 FY Budget: | $23,502,791 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by the Legislative Audit Committee |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Texas State Auditor
Lisa Collier | |
| Other Texas Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Comptroller • Auditor • Education Commissioner • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Land Commissioner • Workforce Commission • Public Utility Commission • Railroad Commission | |
The Texas State Auditor is a state executive position in the Texas state government. As the independent auditor for the state of Texas, the state auditor's office (SAO) conducts audits, investigations, and reviews of entities receiving state funds, including state agencies, departments, and universities.[1]
Current officeholder
The current Texas State Auditor is Lisa Collier (nonpartisan). Collier assumed office in 2016.
Authority
The state auditor's powers, term of office, etc. are derived from Chapter 321 of the Texas Government Code.
Chapter 321 Section 5:
| The committee shall appoint a State Auditor to investigate all custodians of state funds, disbursing agents, and department
personnel.[2] |
Qualifications
Chapter 321 of the Texas Government Code establishes the requirements for office:
Section 6, Chapter 321:
| To be eligible for appointment as state auditor, a person must have unquestioned integrity and moral character and must have had at least five years experience: (1) as a certified public accountant in this or another state; and (2) in a professional or administrative position a major duty of which involved fiscal management, the review of fiscal management, or the auditing or review of operational efficiency or program performance.[2] |
Appointments
The state auditor is appointed by the Legislative Audit Committee—a six-member oversight committee that consists of the speaker of the House, lieutenant governor, one member of the Senate appointed by the lieutenant governor, and the chairmen of the Senate Finance Committee, House Appropriations Committee, and the House Ways and Means Committee. Appointment is carried out in accordance with Chapter 321 of the Texas Government Code.
Vacancies
Any vacancies in the state auditor's office are filled by the Legislative Audit Committee.[3]
Duties
The primary role of the state auditor is to conduct audits, investigations, and reviews of entities receiving state funds, including state agencies, departments, and universities.[2]
Section 13 of Chapter 321 of the Texas Government Code establishes the powers and duties of the auditor:
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Divisions
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the Texas State Auditor has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
State budget
- See also: Texas state budget and finances
The budget for the state auditor's office in fiscal year 2026 was $23,502,791.[5]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
| Year | Salary | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $245,850 | Source 1 |
| 2024 | $237,007 | Source 1 |
| 2023 | $220,000 | Source 1 |
| 2022 | $220,000 | Source 1 |
| 2021 | $181,128 | Source 1 |
| 2020 | $181,128 | Source 1 |
| 2019 | $181,128 | Source 1 |
| 2018 | $181,128 | Source 1 |
| 2017 | $181,128 | Source 1 |
| 2016 | $181,128 | Source 1 |
| 2015 | $212,850 | Source 1 |
| 2014 | $198,000 | Source 1 |
| 2013 | $198,000 | Source 1 |
| 2010 | $198,000 | Source 1 |
Historical officeholders
Since 1943, Texas has had four state auditors.[6]
Click "show" for a list of officeholders.
| # | Name | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | John Keel | 2004 | 2016 |
| # | Lawrence F. Alvin | 1985 | 2004 |
| # | George McNiel | 1968 | 1985 |
| # | C. H. Cavness | 1943 | 1968 |
Between the years of 1929 and 1943 Texas had seven state auditor and efficiency experts.[6]
Click "show" for a list of officeholders.
| # | Name | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | C.H. Cavness | 1942 | 1943 |
| # | Buford D. Battle | 1941 | 1941 |
| # | Tom C. King | 1937 | 1941 |
| # | C. B. Sheffield | 1936 | 1936 |
| # | Orville S. Carpenter | 1935 | 1936 |
| # | George B. Simpson | 1933 | 1935 |
| # | Lynn Moore | 1929 | 1933 |
Recent news
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Contact information
Physical address:
1501 N Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 12067
Austin, TX 78711
Phone: (512) 936-9500
Fax: (512) 936-9400
See also
| Texas | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Texas State Auditor's Office, "About," accessed January 25, 2021
- ↑ Texas Government Code Chapter 321
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Texas Legislature, "S.B. No. 1 General Appropriations Act," accessed October 23, 2025
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Texas State Auditor's Office, "History," accessed January 25, 2021
