Sort of the state treasurer and accountant. I guess the most power he wields may be in control over the state retirement system, including deciding where that money is invested. One of the criticisms of H. Carl McCall was his  alleged failure to invest more of the state employees retirement money in state businesses.

A longer answer here-
[url]http://www.osc.state.ny.us/about/response.htm[/url]

Aimless, kinda yes, kinda no.

The NYS Comptroller has two functions.  Conduct audits of state agencies and local governments to ensure public funds are expended properly.  To invest the public employees pension fun.

H. Carl McCall is the current Comptroller.  He is running for Governor and getting his butt kicked by Governor Pataki.  Good riddance Carl!  Current candidates are Alan Hevesi for the demonrats and John Faso for the Republicans.  Hevesi was comptroller in NYC and is criticized for the performance of their pension fund under him.  John has been the Republican leader in the State Assembly and has done a good job all considered.  Assembly demonrats repress the minority party beyond belief.  The fact that John has accomplished anything in the Assembly is testament to his tenaciousness.

FYI, the State Treasurer is Aida Brewer, before her George Gasser.  The State Treasurer is also a deputy commissioner in the Department of Taxation and Finance which falls under the auspices of the Governor.

Does that answer your question?

First off the signing of paychecks is a ministerial function done at the direction of the State Treasurer, Aida Brewer.  Second, he has done a piss poor job of investing the pension fund.  He did not diversify enough to prevent the market downturn from hammering the fund.  The gains he made were less a reflection of his own talents as the overall performance of the market.  I could have gotten those returns.  Third he was directed to invest monies in NY businesses where possible, he chose not to.  Fourth, he pressured companies he invested in to hire friends and relatives... to the tune of 61 times.  Gee, I invested $130 million in your company, glad to be able to support you, by the way my wife's resume is attached...  SCUM!

The treasurer is not the comptroller's boss, BUT, the treasurer is the person who authorizes the payment of state payroll.  When the State of New York works off of emergency appropriations, when there is no budget in place, the checks are held by the State treasurer and released upon their orders.  You might recall that State legislators do not receive their paychecks when the budget is late because the release of checks can not happen unless the treasurer first directs the comptroller to release them.  Sans the budget the treasurer has not authorized the release of the checks, even though the comptroller wished to release them.  In fact, they are kept in a safe that can only be opened by the treasurer.

State employees paychecks during a budget crisis have in fact been driven by employees of the state treasurer to district offices at the last minute to make sure salaries were paid as soon as the emergency appropriations were authorized.

No, I'm no fan of the comptroller.  I've seen the results of his bull$hit audits that are politically motivated and no less than witchhunts.  Yes, check the value of the pension fund today as opposed to last summer, prior to 9/11.  You'll see its off a few hundred million, perhaps more, if I recall correctly.

LOL, AMEN brother...  I used my federal "rebate" check to buy a rifle last year.  I feel like sending a thank you note to the Assembly every time I buy a new firearm.  Thank you for bestowing me with taxpayer dollars to pursue my hobby of supporting the second amendment!

B&G, I created a not-for-profit entity that furthers education on the @nd amendment and is thus tax exempt...  wishful thinking, but great idea!