_Kerri L. Hunter, CPA, CFE_ _State Auditor_ Kerri was appointed unanimously by the General Assembly to the position of State Auditor in May 2021 for a 5-year term starting July 1, 2021. As Colorado's State Auditor, Kerri leads the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) and its staff of approximately 80 professionals and $12.6 million annual budget. With more than 25 years of governmental auditing experience at the OSA, Kerri has dedicated her career to promoting government accountability and seeking positive change in government for the people of Colorado. She possesses in-depth knowledge of Colorado's state and local governments and is highly regarded as a subject matter expert in internal control, the federal Single Audit Act, and auditing standards. Prior to her appointment as State Auditor, Kerri served as the OSA's Deputy State Auditor for Financial Audits, responsible for overseeing various financial and performance audits, including the State's annual statewide financial and compliance audit, as well as the OSA's Local Government Audit Division, quality assurance program, and accounting, budgeting, contracting, and financial reporting functions. Kerri participates in various professional organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants, the National State Auditors Association, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and State Employees Leading Colorado. Kerri serves as a Board member and Audit Committee Chair for the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. Kerri is a 2021 recipient of the Pro15 Northeast Colorado's 2021 Alumni of the Plains Award for professional excellence. In 2016, Kerri was named by the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants as one of three "Women to Watch" in the Emerging Leader category. In 2008, she was awarded the Rotary Foundation Paul Harris Award for exceptional service. As one of Colorado's select Boettcher Foundation Scholars, Kerri earned a degree in Accounting with honors from the University of Denver. Kerri is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Colorado and is a Certified Fraud Examiner. A fifth-generation Coloradan, Kerri grew up on Colorado's eastern plains.