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In November 2006 Ulster County voters approved a charter form of government which became effective January 1, 2009 and the Office of the Comptroller was created.  As an independently elected officer, the comptroller monitors county government to assure honesty, efficiency and effectiveness in the operation of Ulster County government. 
The Comptroller is the chief accounting and auditing officer of the county and performs the following:

A.  Examine, audit, and verify all books, records, and accounts kept by the various administrative units, offices and officials paid from County funds, institutions and other agencies of the County. including bond and note registers and trust accounts, and the accrual and collection of all County revenues and receipts, and for this and the accrual and collection of all County revenues and receipts, and for this purpose have access to all such books, records, and accounts at any time.

B.  Procure from the depositories with which the Commissioner of Finance shall have deposited the funds and monies coming into the Comptroller’s possession statements, at least monthly, of all monies deposited by the Commissioner of Finance or paid out pursuant to the Comptroller’s order, and reconcile such statements with the County accounts.

C.  Maintain records of appropriations, encumbrances and expenditures, and prescribe approved methods of accounting for all units of County government, unless otherwise required by the State Comptroller.

D.  Certify the availability of funds for all requisitions, contracts, purchase orders and other documents by which the County incurs financial obligations or for the expenditure of funds for which the County is responsible. 

E.  Prescribe the form of receipts, vouchers, bills and claims, unless otherwise required by the State Comptroller.

F.  Audit and certify for payment all lawful claims or charges against the County,
whether payroll or otherwise, or against funds for which the County is responsible in whole or in part.

G.  As he or she determines necessary or appropriate, audit any department, program or function of County government to assess the degree to which its operation is economical, efficient and/or effective.

H.  For the purposes of carrying out his or her powers and duties, have the power to require the attendance of and take testimony under oath of such persons as the Comptroller may deem necessary.

I.  Submit to the County Legislature and County Executive and post on the County website as frequently as he or she deems necessary, but at least quarter-annually, reports on the financial condition of the County and the economy efficiency, and/or effectiveness with which the County government or any of its departments, agencies or programs is managed.

J.  Have all the powers and perform all the duties conferred or imposed by law upon a County comptroller and perform such other related duties required by the County Executive or County Legislature; and

K.  The Comptroller, within appropriations provided therefore, shall have the power to engage such expert accountants and consultants as may be necessary to perform and carry out the functions and duties of his or her office.