Professional Development and Training
The California State Auditor offers various training opportunities to strengthen your skills and fulfill professional standards. We are committed to your professional development. As a member of our staff, you will participate in educational courses, including classes on auditing, writing, and applicable technologies. Our annual training plan offers flexibility and allows you to select classes that enhance your current skill set or provide opportunities to develop new skills. Specifically, we provide you the training to enhance your leadership, problem solving, and communication skills to help you succeed!
In fact, every two years, staff need to complete at least 80 hours of continuing professional education (CPE) that directly enhances the auditor's professional proficiency to perform audits, as required by the Government Auditing Standards (the Yellow Book) issued by the U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO). The yellow book contains standards for conducting audits of government organizations, programs, activities, and functions, of government assistance received by contractors, non-profit organizations, and other nongovernment organizations. By law, the State Auditor must follow generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS). These standards address auditors' professional qualifications, the quality of audit effort, and the characteristics of professional and meaningful audit reports.
The office is committed to staff development and encourages staff to pursue a professional certification, such as the Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and rewards staff who successfully pass the written exams. The Bureau's bonus program awards $4,800 to eligible employees who pass a professional certification exam, such as the CPA. Employees are encouraged to pursue professional certifications and may apply for up to 2 bonuses for passing the following exams:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA);
- Certified Internal Auditor (CIA);
- Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA);
- Certified Governmental Financial Manager (CGFM);
- Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE);
- Certified Financial Manager (CFM);
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA).
Bonuses are not impacted by a time requirements to pass a certification exam and professional designations are encouraged, not required. Hence, we will reimburse staff up to $2,000 for preparation courses for up to two approved certifications.
Mentoring Opportunities
Additionally, we have both peer and career mentors ready to work with you to ensure a smooth transition and career growth at our office. Our peer mentors provide general guidance helping you acclimate to professional office environment, while our career mentors inspire you to meet challenges and achieve success. They enable you to see a wider realm of opportunities, and they provide valuable advice to help you excel in your career. The office is committed to our mentoring programs and they are instilled in our culture.
