About the Controller

The Controller is the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Auditor for Bucks County.  She supervises the fiscal affairs of the county including the related accounts and official acts of all officers or other persons who collect, receive, hold or disperse, or be charged with the management or custody of, the public assets of the county.  

The Controller may refuse to authorize any fiscal transaction which is, by law, subject to her supervision or control where it appears that such transaction is not authorized by law, or has not been undertaken according to law, or has not received approval according to law, or as to which the Controller desires upon reasonable grounds to investigate for or has already discovered fraud, flagrant abuse of public office or any criminal act or neglect of any officer or other person of the county relating to their public accounts and transactions.  

The Office of the Controller is comprised of experienced staff that handles the following functions for Bucks County:

General Accounting 

The Office of the Controller is responsible for maintaining the County’s financial records, including the general ledger and financial statements, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of all fiscal operations of the County.  The Controller is responsible for selecting and maintaining the form and manner of maintaining the official financial records in connection with the fiscal affairs of the County.

Accounts Payable 

The Office of the Controller approves and processes all vendor invoices for payment. The Controller may refuse to authorize any fiscal transaction which is, by law, subject to her supervision or control where it appears that such transaction is not authorized by law, or has not been undertaken according to law, or has not received approval according to law. Dedicated accounting staff reviews receipts, invoices, purchase orders and contracts to ensure proper payments.  

Payroll 

The Office of the Controller is responsible for payroll which is one of the largest accounts payable functions for the County, serving over 2,500 employees.  Employees are paid on a biweekly basis and dedicated payroll staff work diligently to ensure that the County’s employees are paid correctly, on time, along with properly processing additional benefit and legally required deductions and all necessary payroll-related reporting. 

Retirement 

The Controller serves as Secretary to the Retirement Board and the Office of the Controller maintains the accounting records for the Bucks County Employees’ Retirement Fund.

Chief Auditor 

The Controller is responsible for all audits to be conducted periodically of row offices, tax collectors, magisterial district courts, County departments, and other County functions as necessary. As part of this function, the audits examine the effectiveness of internal controls, compliance with laws and regulations and best practices. 

Financial Reporting

The Controller is responsible for financial reporting for Bucks County. Each year financial statements are prepared by the Office of the Controller. Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports can be found in the Audits and Reports Archives.

Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline 

The Controller maintains a Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline which is the most effective way to prevent fraud. If you think you have knowledge of fraud, waste and/or abuse of County funds, please visit the Fraud, Waste and Abuse Hotline page.