Richard Eckstrom, a CPA, has served as State Comptroller since 2002, and previously served as State Treasurer.
Prior to entering public service, Eckstrom, worked with one of the nation’s largest public accounting firms, Peat Marwick Mitchell. While working with the firm, he put together a proposal to audit the state’s finances. The proposal was accepted, and he pulled in CPAs from Greenville, Columbia, Charlotte and Atlanta to complete the audit. The experience sparked an interest in public service, and gave him invaluable insights into state finances.
In the early 90s, Eckstrom noticed problems in the state's investment practices with its pension money: the State Constitution did not allow investments in stocks. He later sought and won the position of State Treasurer, and asked the legislature to reconsider its low-return investments. Eckstrom persuaded the General Assembly to put before voters a Constitutional Amendment to allow the state to invest pension money in stocks, and personally spearheaded the campaign for its passage. The measure passed with 74 percent of the vote.
Prior to entering public service, Eckstrom, worked with one of the nation’s largest public accounting firms, Peat Marwick Mitchell. While working with the firm, he put together a proposal to audit the state’s finances. The proposal was accepted, and he pulled in CPAs from Greenville, Columbia, Charlotte and Atlanta to complete the audit. The experience sparked an interest in public service, and gave him invaluable insights into state finances.
In the early 90s, Eckstrom noticed problems in the state's investment practices with its pension money: the State Constitution did not allow investments in stocks. He later sought and won the position of State Treasurer, and asked the legislature to reconsider its low-return investments. Eckstrom persuaded the General Assembly to put before voters a Constitutional Amendment to allow the state to invest pension money in stocks, and personally spearheaded the campaign for its passage. The measure passed with 74 percent of the vote.
About Richard Eckstrom
As South Carolina’s Comptroller - the state’s chief accountant - Richard Eckstrom has championed fiscal restraint and accountability, and has been a leader in the fight to reign in out-of-control government spending.
He is also the state’s leading proponent of government transparency: He established the state’s first Transparency Website, giving taxpayers click-of-a-mouse access to details about the individual expenditures of more than 80 state agencies. In recent months, he has devoted his efforts to his successful “Local Government Transparency Initiative,” encouraging cities, counties and school districts to post their expenditures on the Internet.
Eckstrom was among the state’s leading opponents of the federal “stimulus” act, and in February 2009 announced plans to track stimulus spending in South Carolina. After the act passed, Eckstrom - due to the success of his transparency efforts - was asked to chair the state’s Stimulus Oversight Committee, which guards against waste and abuse of stimulus funds.
Eckstrom also serves as co-chairman of the S.C. Military Base Task Force, an advisory commission on military issues which formed to look out for the interests of the men and women in uniform and military installations in South Carolina.
Following his graduation from the University of South Carolina in 1970, Eckstrom was commissioned in the Navy and conducted Oceanographic Research for three years. Upon completion of military service, he earned an MBA and a Master of Accountancy from the University Of South Carolina School Of Business. While a graduate student he also joined the Navy Reserve, retiring as a Captain in 1995.
Richard Eckstrom is currently a Brigadier General in the South Carolina State Guard.
He is also the state’s leading proponent of government transparency: He established the state’s first Transparency Website, giving taxpayers click-of-a-mouse access to details about the individual expenditures of more than 80 state agencies. In recent months, he has devoted his efforts to his successful “Local Government Transparency Initiative,” encouraging cities, counties and school districts to post their expenditures on the Internet.
Eckstrom was among the state’s leading opponents of the federal “stimulus” act, and in February 2009 announced plans to track stimulus spending in South Carolina. After the act passed, Eckstrom - due to the success of his transparency efforts - was asked to chair the state’s Stimulus Oversight Committee, which guards against waste and abuse of stimulus funds.
Eckstrom also serves as co-chairman of the S.C. Military Base Task Force, an advisory commission on military issues which formed to look out for the interests of the men and women in uniform and military installations in South Carolina.
Following his graduation from the University of South Carolina in 1970, Eckstrom was commissioned in the Navy and conducted Oceanographic Research for three years. Upon completion of military service, he earned an MBA and a Master of Accountancy from the University Of South Carolina School Of Business. While a graduate student he also joined the Navy Reserve, retiring as a Captain in 1995.
Richard Eckstrom is currently a Brigadier General in the South Carolina State Guard.