Jim Arnette, CGFM, CISA, currently serves as the Director of Local Government Audit for the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, overseeing the annual financial and compliance audits of all 95 Tennessee counties. He also monitors the audits of more than 1,700 municipalities, non-profits, and other local government entities. His responsibilities also include reviewing funds administered by District Attorneys General and Judicial District Drug Task Forces, assisting local governments in implementing new auditing and accounting standards, and advising the Tennessee General Assembly on legislation impacting local governments.

With more than 41 years of service in the Comptroller’s Office, Jim began his career as a Systems Analyst in the Office of Management Services. He later established an Information Technology Audit function within the Division of County Audit, conducting general and application control reviews in county governments across the state. In 2007, he was named Division Director, and in 2012, he became the Director of the new Division of Local Government Audit. His exceptional leadership was recognized in 2019 when the Tennessee General Assembly passed a special resolution honoring his long-standing government service and significant contributions at both the state and national levels.

Jim holds a degree from Middle Tennessee State University and is a Certified Government Financial Manager and Certified Information Systems Auditor. A dedicated member of the Nashville Chapter of AGA, he served as AGA’s National President for the 2017-2018 program year. In 2020, he received the prestigious Robert W. King Memorial Award, AGA’s highest honor, recognizing his distinguished service and significant impact on the organization’s national prestige and stature. He currently chairs AGA’s Journal Editorial Board.

Beyond his roles with the Comptroller’s Office and AGA, Jim chairs the Local Committee of the Southeastern Intergovernmental Audit Forum, a group sponsored by the U.S. Government Accountability Office that fosters collaboration among federal, state, and local governments, as well as private sector firms and other government accountability organizations.

Jim and his wife, Carla, reside in Franklin, Tennessee. They are proud parents of two daughters, Allie and Jayce, and have one beautiful granddaughter. In his free time, Jim enjoys spending time with family, playing golf, watching sports, visiting the beach, working in his yard, and playing with his grand dogs.