Principal Auditor
Who are we?
The California State Auditor ensures the effective and efficient use and management of public funds and programs. We provide nonpartisan, accurate, and timely assessments of California government’s financial and operational activities. Our work results in truthful, balanced, and unbiased information with recommendations for actions that lead to improving government operations.
Why should you join us?
- You want to make a difference for Californians and future generations, and make sure California government is effectively serving its people.
- You are an experienced team builder, able to connect with and inspire staff both on the individual and team levels.
- You have exceptional performance auditing oversight skills with a demonstrated ability to ensure all work meets expectations.
- You desire an annual salary range of $137,532 - $169,776.
What will you do?
As a Principal Auditor you will serve an important role in promoting accountability and transparency in California government by directing the work of supervisors responsible for teams of auditors in conducting performance audits and program reviews of state organizations and other publicly-created entities ensuring audit procedures, conclusions, and recommendations are consistent with industry and governmental audit standards. You will oversee multiple teams responsible for analyzing complex processes, thinking creatively about effective solutions, writing reports for the Legislature and the public, and participating in the development of presentations for the Legislature.
Specifically, you will:
- Ensure audits performed by the California State Auditor's office conform to industry and governmental audit standards, and fulfill the mission and purpose of the State Auditor.
- Manage the ongoing work of audit teams by providing leadership and oversight, serving as a resource for guidance and development for audit professionals.
- Oversee audit scoping and planning to ensure necessary resource allocation and that plans are consistent with audit objectives.
- Assist executive management in policy development and strategic planning.
- Represent the State Auditor to external parties.
Who are you?
- You have experience or demonstrated ability to supervise, coach, and train audit supervisors to ensure all work meets expectations.
- You have experience applying performance audit principles, practices, and procedures to ensure they are conducted in accordance with professional auditing standards and office protocols.
- You have experience reviewing and evaluating the audit team's work papers to ensure that the analyses and conclusions reached in performance audits are based on sufficient and appropriate evidence.
- You have experience writing clear and concise performance audit reports for external audiences.
- You are able to communicate verbally including presenting audit findings to a variety of audiences.
- You are able to ensure that work products from multiple assignments are completed and within budget.
- You are able to effectively edit the written work of others and provide feedback that will help strengthen their writing.
How do I join?
The California State Auditor is part of the merit-based California civil service selection system. To complete this process, you must do the following:
- Describe the most impactful audit finding that you took the lead in developing. How did you discover the issue and how did you develop it into a meaningful report finding?
- Describe an idea that you suggested and implemented that improved an audit or organizational process. How did you come up with and implement the idea and what impact did the change have?
Take the State exam for this position. You can find details in the Principal Auditor Exam Bulletin on CalHR's website. If you are a current state employee with transfer eligibility, you can skip this step.
Submit a completed State of California job application (STD. 678) and resume.
Submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) responding to the two questions below using specific examples of your education, training and experience. Your responses will help us determine who to interview for the position. Limit your response for both questions to two pages total using 11 or 12 point font. We will not consider applications that do not include responses to the questions, or fail to follow this format. We may not consider applications that do not include responses to the questions, or fail to follow this format.
You can submit your complete application package via your CalCareer account or by mail:
California State Auditor
Human Resources Office
621 Capitol Mall, Suite 1200
Sacramento, California 95814
Current state employees with eligibility are encouraged to apply. Additional hires may be made from this bulletin if positions become available. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position. Failure to submit the required documentation will result in disqualification from the hiring process.
The Fine Print:
This position is eligible for participation in the office’s hybrid telework program. Work at the alternate work location must be conducted in a space that is ergonomically sound, private, distraction-free, and has safe working conditions to be eligible to telework.
Any applicant receiving a conditional job offer will be subject to a background check, fingerprinting and an inquiry to the California Department of Justice to disclose criminal records prior to appointment. State Auditor's Office employees are excluded from collective bargaining. The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free state work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the state, the rules governing civil service and the special trust placed in public servants.