State Auditor Maestas vows to hire nine CPAs and modernize systems

New Mexico voters re-elected Democrat Joseph Maestas to a second four-year term as State Auditor on Tuesday. Maestas defeated Republican Joshua Lawrence in the race for the office, which serves as the primary financial watchdog for state and local governments.

Maestas outlined his priorities for the incoming term on election night. He stated that his administration will integrate new technology to improve operational efficiency. He also identified a national workforce crisis as a central challenge for his office.

Maestas said the office is currently short of certified public accountants, or CPAs. According to his office, the department needs at least eight or nine additional CPAs immediately. He noted that 75 percent of current CPAs are eligible to retire, which has contributed to a loss of interest in the field.

To address this gap, Maestas said he is working with stakeholders, particularly higher education institutions, to re-establish a pipeline of accounting talent. He described his plan as taking the workforce crisis on his shoulders. He also indicated that the next governor will assist in these efforts.

State auditors are responsible for ensuring that public money is spent responsibly by government entities. Maestas’ re-election secures his position to lead these financial reviews for the next four years.