(Buffalo) – Erie County Comptroller Stefan I. Mychajliw has announced his first review: a top to bottom review of his own department, the Office of Erie County Comptroller. An outside firm from the Western New York accounting community will provide alternatives and insights into our finding at no additional cost to taxpayers.
“Leadership starts at the top. I am setting a strong tone with our first review. We are sending a loud and clear message to taxpayers. Our team will work hard turning Erie County into a model of fiscal discipline, starting with my own office. It is my mission to root out waste and implement efficiencies within Erie County government. There is no better way to start than to lead by example and review my own office first. I want them to leave no stone unturned,” said Comptroller Mychajliw.
The review of the Erie County Comptroller’s Office will be conducted on the two divisions of the department: Audit and Accounting/Fiscal. To maintain independence, the auditors from the Erie County Comptroller’s office will not have direct oversight over the review and subsequent findings.
Leading the review of the Audit Division will be Comptroller Mychajliw’s recent appointment to the position of Deputy Comptroller for Audit: Ms. Teresa (Terry) Fraas, a private sector Certified Public Accountant (CPA) who becomes the first woman to ever serve in that position.
Her 30-year private sector auditing and accounting career is extensive, having worked as a Director for Internal Audit Services, Internal Audit Manager, Internal Audit Director of Compliance, Audit Compliance Officer, and Controller. The University at Buffalo graduate earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, is a member of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA), and most important, is a CPA.
Ms. Fraas was one of over 100 people who sent resumes and cover letters to the Comptroller’s transition website: www.eriecountyworks.com. Comptroller Mychajliw cast a wide net for private sector applicants during an extensive search. The jobs website seeking private sector applicants was shared through Erie County’s website www.erie.gov, the Buffalo News, Buffalo Job Finder, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, University at Buffalo, www.monster.com, and social networking websites Facebook and Twitter.
“The first time I met our new Deputy Comptroller for Audit is when she walked in the door for her interview. Ms. Fraas is a highly qualified CPA with 30 years of accounting and auditing experience.”
“She has strong experience auditing large organizations, specializing in audits of health care systems and hospitals. I promised taxpayers I would hire the best and the brightest. Promises made, promises delivered by hiring a private sector CPA for one of our top appointments,” added the Erie County Comptroller.
Leading the review of the Accounting/Fiscal Division, will be Deputy Comptroller for Accounting/Fiscal Mr. Gregory G. Gach, who has 28 years of municipal accounting experience with Erie County and Erie Community College.
Mr. Gach served as Erie County Budget Director under current United States Congressman and former County Executive Chris Collins, and as Deputy Comptroller for Accounting/Fiscal under former Erie County Comptroller and current Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. He has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and an MBA in Financial Planning.
###