Campaign Finance Auditor

Elections; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 61,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina State Board of Elections is seeking a Program Analyst I (NS) to join the Campaign Finance Division. You will audit campaign finance disclosures, assess accuracy and compliance, and guide treasurers through corrections and reporting requirements.

The role emphasizes meticulous examination of reports, documentation of findings, and collaborating with auditors and county election staff to ensure consistent enforcement of NC campaign finance laws.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and three years progressively responsible related experience, or an equivalent combination.
• Knowledge of state campaign finance laws, reporting requirements, and auditing procedures.
• Ability to prepare clear working papers, memoranda, and findings.

Responsibilities

• Prepare audit workpapers detailing reviews, procedures, findings, and conclusions.
• Draft examination memoranda describing errors and corrective actions.
• Communicate questions and findings to treasurers and track responses and deadlines.
• Review amendments to verify resolution of findings and maintain status records.
• Escalate unresolved issues for supervisory review and legal guidance.

Skills

Accounting principles

Auditing principles

Campaign finance laws

Financial data reconciliation

Workpapers and exhibits

Spreadsheets

Data analysis tools

Communicating findings

Time management

Ethics and impartiality

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 3 years experience

Tools

Spreadsheets

Financial databases

Reporting software

Data analysis tools

Job description

Program Analyst I (NS) Position Number 65043879 Grade NC17

Agency State Board of Elections Division State Board of Elections Job Classification Title Program Analyst I (NS) Position Number 65043879 Grade NC17

About Us

The N.C. State Board of Elections is the statewide agency that supervises elections administration, enforces campaign finance requirements, and conducts associated investigations. The State Board ensures uniform implementation of state and federal election laws and appoints local officials serving on county boards of elections. The board is composed of 5 individuals appointed by the State Auditor from list of nominees submitted by the chairs of the two political parties having the highest number of registered affiliates. Agency staff are civil servants subject to the State Personnel Act.

Description of Work Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit

The Campaign Finance Division ensures compliance with North Carolina campaign finance laws by guiding candidates and committees, evaluating disclosure reports, and enforcing statutory requirements. The Division also provides support and guidance to 100 county boards of elections in their administration of North Carolina laws and regulations for municipal and county campaigns. The Division is responsible for developing reporting manuals, schedules, and forms, and calculating contribution limits. The Division evaluates financial reporting by all State candidates and committees and conducts investigatory audits consistent with State Board policies. The Campaign Finance Division is also responsible for enforcing campaign finance laws by issuing penalty assessments for late-filed reports and by investigating potential violations on behalf of the State Board. The Division is the primary customer service arm of the State Board of Elections assisting candidates, parties, political committees, and other entities that are required to file reports with the State Board of Elections.

Primary Purpose of the Position

The Campaign Finance Auditor reports directly to the Campaign Finance Supervisor and collaborates closely with other auditors and compliance staff. The position concentrates on examining campaign finance disclosure reports filed with the North Carolina State Board of Elections and evaluates financial information for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with North Carolina campaign finance laws, administrative rules, and State Board policies. The Auditor performs assigned routine through moderately complex examinations, documents findings, communicates deficiencies to treasurers, and verifies amended reports and other corrective actions. The position manages its assigned workload under the Supervisor's audit plan and review procedures and elevates complex, unresolved, or potentially unlawful activity for further review. This position has no direct reports.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

• Working knowledge of accounting and auditing principles, financial recordkeeping, reconciliation, and the use of evidence to support findings.
• Ability to learn and apply North Carolina campaign finance laws, administrative rules, reporting requirements, and agency examination procedures.
• Ability to examine moderately complex financial information, identify missing or inconsistent data, and reconcile reports across reporting periods.
• Ability to trace transactions to supporting records and reconstruct financial activity from incomplete or disorganized information when assigned.
• Skill in preparing accurate workpapers, examination memoranda, correspondence, and concise summaries of findings and corrective actions.
• Ability to use spreadsheets, financial databases, reporting software, and data analysis tools to identify exceptions and track audit work.
• Ability to organize a high volume of assigned reports, meet review deadlines, and communicate workload or compliance concerns promptly.
• Ability to explain reporting deficiencies and correction procedures clearly while recognizing matters requiring supervisory or legal guidance.
• Ability to work professionally and impartially with treasurers, candidates, county election staff, agency attorneys, and other stakeholders.
• Sound judgment, attention to detail, and discretion in handling financial records and confidential investigative information.

Recruitment Range

$60,881- $80,000

Audit Documentation Findings and Corrective Follow Up

• Prepare workpapers that identify the report reviewed, procedures performed, evidence examined, exceptions, applicable requirements, and conclusions. Submit work for supervisory review.
• Prepare audit correspondence and draft examination memoranda describing reporting errors, potential prohibited transactions, and recommended corrective actions using approved procedures.
• Communicate questions and findings to treasurers, track applicable response periods, and document responses, requested extensions, and supervisory decisions.
• Review amendments and supporting explanations to verify whether each finding has been resolved. Track the related original report, amendments, and correspondence together.
• Maintain report and finding status, filing and review dates, correction deadlines, reviewer, and closure documentation. Provide accurate workload and unresolved-issue data to the Supervisor.
• Escalate repeated errors, nonresponse, suspected prohibited activity, or discrepancies requiring legal review. Recommend further review or corrective action and support authorized referrals and publication of finalized findings.

Technical Guidance and County Support

• Explain disclosure requirements and correction procedures to treasurers using established guidance. Help filers understand findings while preserving impartiality.
• Assist the Supervisor with technical guidance to county staff on disclosure report examination and documentation as assigned.
• Identify recurring errors and share examples with the Supervisor and Chief Learning Officer to improve treasurer training, county guidance, and job aids.

Audit Procedures and Software Modernization Support

• Recommend improvements to audit checklists, standard correspondence, workpapers, and examination procedures based on recurring issues.
• Support assigned testing of modernized software for report validation, amendments, transaction accuracy, audit workflow, deadline tracking, and preservation of review history. Document defects for the project team.
• Complete assigned professional development and other duties supporting campaign finance examinations.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three (3) years progressively responsible experience related to the area of assignment; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter Information

Recruiter: Latanya Nicole Gant

North Carolina State Government is one of the state’s largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina. We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services. Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website. Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast. Find your next opportunity today!

Valuing Education and Experience

State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post-secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide.

State Application Resources/Frequently Asked Questions

All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting.