AGA PDT 2019

James Arnette
Director, Div. of Local Government Audit
TN Comptroller of the Treasury


Jim Arnette serves as Director of Local Government Audit for the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, overseeing the annual financial and compliance audits of all 95 Tennessee counties and monitoring audits of more than 1,700 municipalities, non-profits, and other local government entities. His responsibilities also include oversight of funds administered by District Attorneys General and Judicial District Drug Task Forces, assisting local governments with new auditing and accounting standards, and advising the Tennessee General Assembly on legislation affecting local governments. Jim has more than 42 years of service with the Comptroller’s Office. He began his career as a Systems Analyst in the Office of Management Services and later established an Information Technology Audit function within the Division of County Audit, conducting control reviews across the state. He was appointed Division Director in 2007 and became Director of the Division of Local Government Audit in 2012. In recognition of his leadership and public service, the Tennessee General Assembly honored him with a special resolution in 2019. Jim holds a degree from Middle Tennessee State University and is a Certified Government Financial Manager and Certified Information Systems Auditor. He is an active member of the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), serving as National President during the 2017–2018 program year. In 2020, he received AGA’s highest honor, the Robert W. King Memorial Award, and currently chairs AGA’s Journal Editorial Board. Jim chairs the Local Committee of the Southeastern Intergovernmental Audit Forum, sponsored by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. He and his wife, Carla, live in Franklin, Tennessee, and enjoy spending time with their family, including their two daughters and granddaughter.

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