Florida to swear in first female state auditor general

Florida is getting its first female state auditor general.

Sherrill Norman will be sworn in Wednesday as the state’s sixth Auditor General, a constitutional officer who serves as the state’s independent auditor. She will replace David Martin, who is retiring after nearly eight years. Norman will oversee 350 employees and a budget of more than $35 million.

Norman has worked for the auditor general for the past 25 years and served as the deputy auditor general for the state government audits division since September 2012. She has been licensed as a Florida CPA since April 1992.

In addition to headquarters in Tallahassee, there are field offices in fourteen other cities across the state.

The Legislature’s Joint Legislative Auditing Committee (JLAC) is responsible for appointing Florida’s Auditor General. Under President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, the Committee advertised for the position with help several from local, state, and national organizations.

“The Committee would like to thank the many organizations that provided assistance during the selection process including: the Florida Institute of CPAs, the Florida Government Finance Officers Association, local chapters of the Association of Government Accountants, the Florida League of Cities, the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement,” said JLAC Alternating Chair Sen. Joe Abruzzo of Wellington. “Ms. Norman is a talented professional with a long history within the Office of the Auditor General. Her institutional knowledge and strong leadership skills will be a great benefit to Florida.”

Florida’s Auditor General must be certified under Florida’s Public Accountancy Law for at least 10 years, with no less than 10 years’ experience in accounting or auditing related field.

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.