Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

**What does the agency do?** The Comptroller’s office serves virtually every citizen in the state. As Texas’ chief tax collector, accountant, revenue estimator, treasurer and purchasing manager, the agency is responsible for writing the checks and keeping the books for the multi-billion-dollar business of state government. As chief financial officer, the Comptroller’s office collects taxes and fees owed the state. Most of the office’s duties and powers are enumerated in the Texas Tax Code and in Chapter 403 of the Texas Government Code. As guardian of the state’s fiscal affairs, agencies depend on the Comptroller’s office to pay their bills and issue paychecks to state employees. Legislators rely on the Comptroller’s office to chart the course of the Texas economy, produce annual financial reports and estimate future state revenues. Local officials and businesses look to the agency for economic development guidance and data analysis. Taxpayers rely upon it for assistance and guidance regarding compliance with tax laws. And all Texas residents depend on the Comptroller’s office to safeguard their tax dollars and ensure they are handled wisely. As the state’s cashier, the Comptroller’s office receives, disburses, counts, safeguards, records, allocates, manages and reports on the state’s cash. In addition, the Texas Comptroller chairs the state’s Treasury Safekeeping Trust, which invests, manages and oversees more than $50 billion in assets. The Comptroller’s office is also the state’s purchasing manager, awarding and managing hundreds of statewide contracts on behalf of more than 200 state agencies and 1,750 cooperative purchasing members. The agency is committed to cultivating a healthy economic environment in Texas by providing a variety of services to business owners, taxpayers, local officials, HUBs and everyday Texans. The Comptroller’s office also administers a variety of programs, including the State Energy Conservation Office, Texas college savings plans, statewide procurement initiatives, and more.