Auditor y Contralor — Condado de Alameda

Experiene is the #1 qualification for the position of Alameda County Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder and I have that experience.   I am a trusted leader who will ensure the highest degree of accountability, transparency and fiscal stewardship, while also pursuing new opportunities for service and program enhancements and community engagement.  I am currently the Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller for Alameda County, and I previously served as the Assistant Controller.  I have also been the Director of Finance for the General Services Agency, managing an operating budget of over $100 million and the county-wide 10 year capital improvement program with a budget of over $500 million.   I have over 20 years of experience as an executive financial manager.

I am part of the Alameda County team whose dedication to strong, transparent fiscal stewardship was awarded with the prestigious "triple-triple" designation of AAA ratings from all three credit rating agencies. Alameda County is one of only two California counties to hold this distinction. All three rating agencies praised the county's strong management team, and adherence to sound financial management policies and commitments. 

In my position as Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, I am responsible for directly managing all operations and staff of the Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder Agency, including: 200 employees who serve over 125,000 customers at our three offices each year; disbursement of over $2B in County payments annually to 13,000 vendors; implementation and maintenance of County-wide financial, payroll, internal control and compliance systems to ensure accurate financial record keeping; preparation of County financial reports for County, State and Federal Authorities, including the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, County Final Budget Book, County Cost Plan, and the State Controller’s Office Financial Transactions Report; digitization of hundreds of financial reports, statements and audits; property tax levy and apportionment of $3B annually to over 80 jursidictions; management of payroll and related compensation and benefits for 9,000 employees; development of risk assessments and audit plans to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control and governance processes; victim restitution collection and payment to victims of over $1M per year; oversight of 24 million archived official public records; and collection of over $155 million in documentary transfer tax revenue for cities and the county. 

I believe in the fair and equitable treatment of all people.  I believe that everyone deserves access to quality education, employment and healthcare and has a right to affordable, safe housing.  I am committed to maximizing revenue through prudent fiscal management so that Alameda County can meet those critical needs of its residents.  I also strongly support diversity within the Alameda County Auditor-Controller Agency.  I have been responsible for personally interviewing and hiring every member of my staff within the Agency for the past 10 years, and I am proud to say that my office is 85% minority represented and 75% women.  I truly believe that my Agency should represent the communities that we serve.  In summary, I am a fiscally responsible progressive leader who will ensure that through prudent fiscal stewardship and the highest degree of accountability and transparency, that all County funds will be spent, audited and reported based on the expectations and needs of all members of Alameda County, and in accordance with the law.

A Bay Area native, Irella Blackwood brings impeccable credentials and qualifications to the role of Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder for Alameda County. She is an Economics graduate of UC Berkeley with an emphasis in Accounting. She has an MBA in Finance from Holy Names University in Oakland.  

She has held high-level finance, accounting and auditing positions with PricewaterhouseCoopers, the City, and County of San Francisco. Irella has a strong history of successful audits with public agencies throughout the Bay Area. She understands that sometimes this calls for tough recommendations. As an executive level manager with the City and County of San Francisco, she has provided leadership to oversee audits in the San Francisco business community for tax compliance and manage accounting for $5 billion of capital projects in transportation.

Ms. Blackwood believes in community service.  She previously served as trustee on the finance committee for St. Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda. She also served as a director for the Castro Valley Education Foundation.

She currently serves on the Board of Governors for the San Francisco Bay Area chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Committee on Accounting Auditing and Financial Reporting for the Government Finance Officers Association.  In addition, she serves as a Board member for the UC Berkeley Black Alumni club. 

The mother of three young children, she is committed to creating a stable foundation for the future. Irella brings all the requisite academic qualifications, professional experience and leadership to improve the service and functions of the county Auditor-Controller/Clerk-Recorder’s office. Election Day is June 5, 2018.

I am engaging voters in Alameda County to take responsibility in the oversight of $3 billion. Residents in the Bay Area need a new independent leader in government who is going to practice innovation, good financial stewardship and incorporate the community perspective. Let’s talk about how we can improve Alameda County to create a better foundation for the future.

Alameda County needs a fighter for its money and services. we need someone who is going to assess the impacts on our county and hold everyone accountable for providing quality services to our residents. This is why the East Bay Times has chosen me as the "Best pick for Auditor-Controller," saying, "Alameda County Residents should want a watchdog like me as their Auditor-Controller."