by Niki Kelly, Indiana Capital Chronicle
September 28, 2023

State Auditor Tera Klutz announced Thursday she is leaving her post with more than three years left in her term — the fourth state auditor to resign early.

The Republican is leaving to pursue an undisclosed private sector opportunity.

Gov. Eric Holcomb will appoint her successor, as he did with Klutz in 2017. She was then elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022.

“The past 20 years of leading and serving the financial offices of state and local government have been challenging, rewarding and the opportunity of a lifetime,” Klutz said in a news release.

“In 2002, I left public accounting to join the Allen County Auditor’s office because I was looking for more flexibility for my young family. What I found was my dream job,” she said. “My career in government started as the state was dramatically changing the way property was assessed and taxed resulting in tax bill delays in all 92 counties. While working through those early challenges, I learned I had a passion for solving problems and helping people, which ultimately led me to run for office at the local and then state levels.”

During her time in office, Klutz said she implemented a more efficient way to pay the state’s bills in half the time, modernized the state’s payroll system and overhauled the Indiana Transparency Portal to include easier access to government finance information.

“I’m grateful for Tera’s service and partnership as Indiana’s State Auditor, now State Comptroller, since I appointed her in 2017,” Holcomb said. “As the first (certified public accountant) to serve in the position, Tera has been a faithful fiscal steward with a keen focus on transparency and accountability, most notably by modernizing technology. Throughout her tenure, Indiana has been recognized nationally for its responsible financial reporting. I wish her the absolute best in this next chapter.”

Klutz, who recently lobbied to change the name of the office to comptroller — which she said more accurately reflected her duties — will continue her service through November 30.

“I am excited about my next chapter — spending more time with family and friends, and returning to a career in the private sector,” she said. “I have committed to helping the Governor, if so desired, to find a qualified individual to serve as Indiana’s next State Comptroller and assist in a smooth transition of responsibilities.”

Klutz was appointed after then-Auditor Suzanne Crouch was elevated to lieutenant governor. Before Crouch, Dwayne Sawyer lasted only four months before he abruptly quit. And Tim Berry served almost two terms before leaving to chair the Indiana Republican Party.

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