Archives West Finding Aid

Established in 1889 after statehood, the Office of the State Auditor is part of Montana's executive branch. The responsibilities of the office originally were to superintend the fiscal duties of the state. According to the statutes of 1897, 1921, 1935, and 1947, the auditor was required to report biennially to the governor on the funds of the state, and the revenues and expenditures of the preceding two years, along with an estimate of revenues and expenditures of the upcoming year; suggest plans for the improvement and management of state revenues; keep and state all accounts in which the state is interested; keep an account of all warrants drawn on the state treasurer; institute suits to collect all delinquent monies; draw warrants on the state treasurer; function as a member of the state board of equalization; conduct examination of insurance companies when necessary; approve blanks for election expense accounts; receive financial and statistical reports from railroads; and procure and print all licenses.

In 1909 the auditor assumed the position of ex-officio commissioner of insurance. In 1911 the Office of State Fire Marshal was created under supervision of the auditor; the auditor appointed the state fire marshal. In 1913 the state auditor was given the responsibilities of the ex-officio investment commissioner and, in 1921, those of the ex-officio real estate commissioner.

When the Department of Revenue was created in the 1970s, it assumed the responsibility of managing the state's fiscal matters. Oversight of the State Fire Marshal was transferred to the Department of Justice, and oversight of railroads was brought under the Public Service Commission. As of 2021, the role of the Office of the State Auditor, which is overseen by the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance is to regulate the insurance and securities industries and ensure fairness and transparency in those industries for Montanans.