The Montana Legislative Audit Committee Friday unanimously appointed Tori Hunthausen to succeed Scott Seacat as chief legislative auditor and director of the Legislative Audit Division.
Hunthausen will begin her two-year term July 1. Seacat plans to retire effective June 30 after 24 years as legislative auditor.
A subcommittee assigned to interview candidates for the position "met for extensive meetings and set up very objective and in-depth criteria for selection," said Sen. Joe Balyeat, Audit Committee chair. "All three finalists were just outstanding in terms of qualifications. We have a very, very deep bench" in the audit division.
Hunthausen accepted the position and said "the highly qualified staff of professionals" in the audit division "will make my job easier and the transition smoother."
"I want to thank the committee for the chance to continue to make a difference," she said.
Hunthausen is currently chief deputy legislative auditor. She began working in the audit division 20 years ago after graduating from Carroll College in Helena with a degree in accounting.
The Legislative Audit Division conducts financial and performance audits of all state agencies to ensure that they carry out only those activities or programs authorized by the Legislature and that they do so efficiently, effectively, and in accordance with legislative intent.
