The California State Auditor promotes the effective and efficient administration and management of public funds and programs. As the state's independent external auditor, the State Auditor provides the citizens and the government nonpartisan, accurate, and timely assessments of state and local government entities' financial and operational activities in compliance with generally accepted government auditing standards. The State Auditor conducts performance, financial, and compliance audits that are either mandated by statute or requested by the Legislature through the Joint Legislative Audit Committee. Moreover, the State Auditor identifies statewide issues or specific government entities as high risk and has the authority to conduct evaluations of those issues or entities identified as high risk.

Additionally, under the California Whistleblower Protection Act, the State Auditor has broad authority to perform independent investigations into complaints of improper governmental activities or conduct of state employees. The office administers California's Whistleblower Hotline that enables the public to report improper acts committed by state agencies, departments, or employees, as defined by law.

The Voters FIRST Act (Act), approved by voters in November 2008 as Proposition 11, requires the State Auditor to initiate an application process for selecting the members of a new 14-member Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) every ten years. The Commission will be responsible for redrawing district lines using the new national census data for the California Senate, Assembly, and the State Board of Equalization. Under the Act, the State Auditor is also responsible for developing regulations to implement the application and selection process of the Commission and in conducting comprehensive outreach to prospective applicants to serve on the Commission.