The Department of Audit employs approximately, 135 men and women, including over 30 Certified Public Accountants. The office is one of the largest auditing firms in the state and is widely regarded as the definitive authority in matters pertaining to the use of public funds. The employees of the Department of Audit are mindful of the grave responsibility of upholding the public trust and strive to maintain the level of competence expected of them by virtue of their positions. The Mississippi Constitution grants specific duties and powers related to prescribing systems of accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting for public offices in Mississippi. It also enumerates other statutory responsibilities including study and analysis of existing public managerial policies and practices; pre-audit and post-audit functions; investigation of suspected fiscal violations; recovering misspent and stolen funds; and a variety of related duties and responsibilities. The mission of the Office of the State Auditor is to serve Mississippians and protect the public’s trust by independently assessing state and local governmental and other entities to ensure that public funds are properly received, are legally, effectively, and efficiently spent, and are accounted for and reported accurately.