Zack Filipovich

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We need to know the local dollars paying for teachers, public works, and safety and fire departments will be there when we need them. As a Certified Management Accountant, Zack knows what it takes to hold people and organizations accountable. That starts with building staff capacity, relationships with local governments, and identifying new guardrails where needed.

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As the only accountant in the race, Zack is ready on day one to make sure our local governments — from our smallest rural townships to cities, to school boards — have the tools, data, and support they need to make the best decisions for their own communities.

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As the only accountant in the race, I’m ready to start day one to make sure our local governments —from our smallest rural townships to cities, school boards and counties—have the tools, data and support they need to make the best decisions for their own communities.

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Reduce the turnover rate to provide more efficient audits and guidance. This includes working across the aisle to communicate the importance of this office in preventing fraud.

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Zack is committed to providing the background behind the data by holding open houses and forums to ensure transparency at every step. He is the only candidate with the accounting, local government, and management experience to lead from day one and restore public trust. That is more than publishing reports. Zack will strengthen relationships with communities and provide opportunities for citizens to be heard while ensuring taxpayers have the information they need to understand and hold their government accountable.

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My father was a small business owner who taught me about the values of numbers. I learned how financial statements tell the story of our values, and how with transparency and honest conversation, they can help us make better decisions moving forward. I’m ready to do the work of this office to build public trust and ensure every local tax dollar is working for us. I am a Certified Management Accountant, a finance manager for a nonprofit, and a former City Councilor from Duluth.

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Zack will expand oversight where needed to strengthen accountability in school districts and townships and address gaps in audit coverage. For example, this could include greater oversight of school district finances, similar to the use of School Finance Accountability Team funds established under the Minnesota Omnibus State Government Finance and Policy Bill. It could also include increased oversight of townships. Under the current combined city/town audit model, only about 20.2% of township revenues were audited based on reported 2023 revenues.

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I’ve worked across the table with families struggling to pay for housing and neighbors making the impossible choice between going into debt or going without medical care. As a city councilor in Duluth—and traveling across the state—I’ve seen our townships, cities and counties struggling, taking on more responsibility with fewer resources, expected to do more with less funding and support. We need to know we can rely on the organizations administering our public safety, utilities, and infrastructure to be there when we need them.

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Use authority of the State Auditor’s Office to decrease delinquency and increase compliance of local governments who repeatedly fail to meet reporting deadlines.

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Grow the Special Investigations capacity to respond effectively to reports of theft, misuse, or unlawful use of public funds.

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The goal is simple: Give Minnesotans timely, reliable information and confidence that their money is protected.

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Zack is running so our local governments have the tools, data, and training they need to make the best decisions for their communities. He will work to improve resource sharing, address the critical shortage of finance professionals in greater Minnesota, and build on how the office provides data and guidance.

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Address the shortage of finance professionals. Minnesota faces an “Accountant Cliff” as 75% of experienced CPAs and public-sector accountants are now at or beyond retirement age. Zack will build on Minnesota’s new alternative pathway to CPA licensure by collaborating with educators to promote talented professionals to enter and grow in public service. For example, SF 3045 was a bipartisan bill that reduced unnecessary license hours for CPAs – expanding the Auditor’s ability to hire new staff.

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Help local governments fill critical finance gaps. Zack will provide guidance, cross-training and connections to resources for local governments working without adequate finance staffing. He’ll also help local governments explore practical solutions, including joint agreements, new technology, and partnerships that allow communities to share financial expertise and staff.

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Help local governments identify and reduce risk. Local governments are seeking insight from the OSA to provide independent expertise on risk assessment of programs and policies. Zack will build the OSA’s ability to share best practices to focus on reducing risk and fraud.

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Increase local government bond ratings. Key to healthy municipal finances is a strong bond rating. Zack wants the OSA to advise and support local governments in improving their bond ratings.

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Zack is committed to providing the background behind the data by holding open houses and forums to ensure transparency at every step. He is the only candidate with the accounting, local government, and management experience to lead from day one and restore public trust.

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That is more than publishing reports. Zack will strengthen relationships with communities and provide opportunities for citizens to be heard while ensuring taxpayers have the information they need to understand and hold their government accountable.

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Make the OSA more accessible to local governments. Zack will expand trainings, forums, and direct engagement across the state, including visiting all 87 counties each year to connect with Auditor-Treasurers and other local government finance leaders. He’ll also work with the Legislature to secure funding to expand training opportunities statewide.

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Make financial information easier for Minnesotans to understand. Zack will make audit findings and financial information easier to understand so Minnesotans can see how public dollars are being managed without having to be financial experts. He’ll make sure the OSA keeps pace with modern technology while ensuring its digital tools and services are accessible to everyone.

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Invest in the tools local governments rely on. Zack will advocate for continued funding to improve and secure CTAS, the OSA’s financial reporting software, so local governments can reliably manage and track their finances. The OSA’s previous funding supported improvements through 2025, and Zack will work with the Legislature to build on that investment.

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A stronger OSA will be open, responsive, and accessible — giving Minnesotans confidence that they can understand its work and have their voices heard.