Buncombe looks west in hiring of new internal audit director Robb Hartman

Press release from Buncombe County

Buncombe County is starting a new era for an important department as Robb Hartman will take the helm of the Internal Audit department. With more than 10 years of experience, he will be responsible for helping build trust in the County’s financial systems. “The Internal Auditor is important because it helps review and assess our internal control while assuring we are in compliance with all policies and laws,” says County Manager Avril Pinder. “This role is vital in helping give the public assurance that County operations and financial activities are above board.” Avril says she is extremely impressed with Robb’s combined financial and auditing experience and sees numerous audit conference presentations as a sign he is an emerging leader in the industry. “His skills and supervisory experience show that he is the best fit for this position, and his passion for the public sector will make him an asset to the County,” she says.

Robb comes to Buncombe County from his most recent position as an Audit Manager with the Colorado State University system. He says while his experience is mostly in academia, he was drawn to this position for the opportunity to merge into local government in a uniquely beautiful location. “I’ve primarily worked in higher education, as an internal auditor for public universities. This is an exciting change of pace, while still being something that feels familiar,” explains Robb. “Being a good steward of taxpayer money is important to me. I love internal auditing because there is always something new to learn, you get to work alongside management to help address problems, and you can feel the impact that your work has.” Robb says he wants to build a solid foundation by assessing staffing needs, reviewing internal procedures, and performing a risk assessment. “Long term, I am looking to establish relationships within the County so that Internal Audit department can be viewed as a trusted resource for those living and working in Buncombe County. I like to say that I know I’ve succeeded in building those relationships when people start to request an audit in their area because they can see the value that our work has had in another area,” says Robb.

Robb has a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Accountancy from the University of North Florida and is also a Certified Internal Auditor and Certified Fraud Examiner. Ultimately, he says his position should perform two key duties, “Add value to operations and provide assurance that internal controls are functioning properly. Internal controls help ensure that no money is being lost to fraud, waste, or abuse, and we can help verify that these controls are functioning properly. I hope that our work can help strengthen trust between county management and its residents.”

Buncombe County is excited to welcome Robb and his first day as Internal Auditor will be July 15.

Robb Hartman’s professional biography

Robb has more than five years of internal audit experience and an additional two years of experience as an accountant. He brings a collaborative approach to internal auditing which highlights the importance of building and maintaining relationships while also remaining independent and objective. Currently working for the Colorado State University System at the CSU Pueblo campus as an audit manager, he also previously worked for the University of North Florida. A two-time alumnus of the University of North Florida, he holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting as well as a Master of Accountancy. He also holds the designations of Certified Internal Auditor (CIA,) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). When not at work, Robb likes to bake for his wonderful family, friends, and work colleagues.