Andy Babbitt spent the first seven years of his career in the private sector with a local healthcare facility, however the State of Arkansas came calling in 1995 when Babbitt joined Arkansas Legislative Audit as a Field Auditor.
At the time, he held a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA Little Rock). As his responsibilities continued to expand within Legislative Audit, he was certified as a public accountant in 1998. In 2005, he added a Master of Business Administration degree from UA Little Rock. By 2009, Babbitt was named a Supervising Senior Auditor within Legislative Audit. In addition to managing staff and overseeing a wide range of reports and audits, responsibilities included assisting various law enforcement agencies with information related to fraud identification. Babbitt developed standardized audit methods to ensure consistency and compliance across state government and testified before various committees of the Arkansas General Assembly.
Although his workload remained heavy, he continued to pursue education and new information in his field. This resulted in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners certifying Babbitt as a Fraud Examiner in 2019.
Following more than 25 years of service at Legislative Audit, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) asked Babbitt to join the Department as Assistant Accounting Administrator in 2021. He accepted and joined DFA in July 2021. Consistent with past roles, Babbitt had an extensive list of duties. Examples included leading the team that prepared the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the state, managing and certifying quarterly and annual financial and performance data to the U.S. Treasury and providing guidance and assisting constituents applying for American Rescue Plan Act funding.
In April 2023, DFA Secretary Larry Walther announced the selection of Babbitt as State Controller and DFA Deputy Director. This position oversees DFA’s Accounting Division and serves as the lead accountant within state government. The Accounting Division ensures fiscal integrity within the state’s financial records and serves as a centralized reporting source for state appropriations and funds. Additionally, Accounting has handled all accounting and reporting for the state’s Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Accounting also oversees DFA’s Office of Information Services (OIS). “With decades of experience auditing Departments throughout state government, Andy brings the skill set needed to the State Controller role,” said Secretary Walther when announcing his selection.
Babbitt, an Arkansas native, lives in Saline County with his family.
