Comptroller announces changes in Local Government Audit Division
Tennessee Comptroller Jason Mumpower has announced changes to his office’s local government team.
Jim Arnette, director of local government audit, will retire effective March 31, 2026, following 42 years of service to the comptroller’s office. In his role, Arnette has played a vital role in strengthening the accountability and transparency in local government across Tennessee.
Under his leadership, the division has overseen financial and compliance audits for all 95 counties and more than 1,700 municipalities and local government-related entities. Arnette’s commitment to integrity, efficiency, and innovation has left a lasting impact on local government oversight and public trust.
Arnette began his career in the comptroller’s office as a systems analyst in the office of management services, later establishing the information technology audit function within the division of county audit. He became director of the division of county audit in 2007 and then of the local government audit division in 2012. He holds a degree from Middle Tennessee State University and is both a certified government financial manager and certified information systems auditor.
Bryan Burklin has been selected as the new director of local government beginning on April 1, 2026. He originally joined the comptroller’s office and the division of local government audit in 1980, serving first in Knoxville and then moving to Nashville in 2015.
He brings deep institutional knowledge and extensive experience in county and municipal auditing. In his current role, Burklin oversees the review and approval of county audits across Tennessee, helping ensure accuracy, accountability, and public trust in local government reporting. His steady leadership and collaborative approach make him well prepared to lead the division forward.
Burklin is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He is a certified public accountant and a certified government financial manager.