Office of the New York State Comptroller Revenue and Competitors

The Office of the New York State Comptroller is responsible for protecting public dollars and helping government operate more effectively and efficiently. Since 1797, when the first State Comptroller was appointed by Governor John Jay, the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) has served as steward of the Empire State's finances, maintaining the State accounting system, auditing State agencies and local governments, reviewing State contracts and providing independent analysis of the State budget. Over time, OSC's role has expanded to include additional duties such as overseeing the New York City budget, serving as custodian of abandoned property (now over $14 billion) and returning lost money to its rightful owners, and managing the State retirement system to serve over one million public employee members and pensioners. The Comptroller is also the sole trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, the nation's third largest public pension fund, valued at $178.6 billion as of March 31, 2016.