Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852
Brian Gaines (right) is sworn in as the South Carolina Comptroller General on Friday, May 12 in Columbia by S.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Donald Beatty. His mother, Peggy Washington, holds the Bible.
A Barnwell native is the state’s new chief accountant after the previous one resigned.
Brian Gaines, 41, was sworn in as South Carolina’s new Comptroller General on Friday, May 12. Gaines takes over for Richard Eckstrom, who resigned in April after 20 years in the elected position following a $3.5 billion reporting error. Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Gaines after the General Assembly ended their session without making an appointment.
"Mr. Gaines is highly respected by the leadership of the General Assembly, by state agency directors, and by me," said Gov. McMaster. "His expertise on the budgeting process and experience in state government will allow him to provide a fresh perspective to the Comptroller General's Office while at the same time allowing for a smooth transition."
The governor issued Executive Order 2023-12, appointing S.C. Department of Administration Executive Budget Director Brian Gaines as the state’s next Comptroller General. Gaines has served in state government for over 16 years where he has held numerous leadership roles in finance at the Department of Employment and Workforce, the Budget and Control Board, and the Department of Administration.
“I’m delighted to see your hard work and dedication payoff,” said Barnwell Mayor Marcus Rivera, who graduated with Gaines from Barnwell High School in 2000.
After earning his undergraduate degree in political science and his master’s in public administration from the University of South Carolina, Gaines began his career in state government in May 2007. He worked in human resources with the S.C. Budget & Control Board.
“This was an opportunity to get to know the agency as I interacted with different divisions. It also piqued my interest in budgeting,” said Gaines, who has earned a certified public manager credential.
He became a research coordinator for the S.C. Budget & Control Board in 2009 where he managed the budgeting process from start to finish. This included serving as a liaison to the governor, House of Representatives, and Senate staff. However, this was a tiring role that required many late nights during the legislative session because the “work doesn’t begin until they’re done,” said Gaines.
In 2011, he moved to the S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce where he handled legislative affairs as an assistant to the director of unemployment insurance.
After six months, he returned to the S.C. Budget & Control Board after being asked to become director of governmental affairs. He later became director of policy and public affairs, which allowed him to direct the legislative, communications, budget development, analysis, and policy development activities for the state’s central administrative agency.
When the S.C. Budget & Control Board was eliminated on July 1, 2015, many functions transferred to the new Department of Administration and State Fiscal Accountability Authority. Gaines maintained his public affairs and policy role for a few months with the Department of Administration; however, he soon decided to shift gears and became assistant executive budget director in Nov. 2015.
“It was a new challenge and got me back into the world I missed,” said Gaines of the budgeting role.
He became executive budget director in January 2017, a role he’s held for more than six years. He leads a team of over a dozen finance and budget analysts that are responsible for the development and oversight of the state budget, starting the governor's executive budget, and overseeing the annual accountability report process for state agencies.
“We want to make sure agencies aren’t overspending or running into deficits,” he said.
This role is where Gov. McMaster became familiar with his leadership and financial capabilities. Gaines also worked with the governor and his staff during the COVID pandemic through a special task that developed recommendations on how to expend federal money.
“The important thing is we need to have qualified people in these positions. He brings enormous experience. He is not a political person. We are fortunate to have someone of his ability who has the confidence of everyone involved,” said Gov. McMaster.
Though he’s never worked in the Comptroller General’s office, Gaines said he will use his experience to lead the office.
“My past jobs looked at state finance from a budgetary perspective while this is from an expenditure and reporting perspective,” said Gaines. “It’s the same types of data, just from a different perspective.”
As the state’s top accountant and chief fiscal watchdog, the Comptroller General keeps the state's books and maintains accounting controls over state 115 agencies. The office was created in 1890 to administer the spending of state funds.
“His office examines all payments to ensure they are properly authorized by agency officials, that funds are available to cover them, and that they are properly classified in the state's accounting system. Upon approval, the Comptroller issues a warrant for each payment to authorize the State Treasurer to release the funds,” according to cg.sc.gov.
Gaines said his top priority is getting a handle on what’s going on presently within the agency so he can ensure a smooth transition.
“I want to make sure the duties of the office are carried out as best as I possibly can and that rules are abided by. I want to make sure staff have the resources they need,” he said.
He acknowledges the importance of the Comptroller General’s office because “everything revolves around money.”
In addition to his work experience, Gaines credits his upbringing in rural South Carolina with getting him to where he is today. This includes being involved in various activities, such as church groups, little league, and Boy Scouts, plus the values instilled by his parents and other relatives.
“Being from the small town of Barnwell did a lot with my value system,” he said.
The values of honesty, faith, and transparency that he learned early on helped shape him into someone that the governor entrusts to oversee such a vital position.
“My family taught me that you are accountable for your actions. If you say you’re going to do something, then you’re obligated to do it,” said Gaines, the son of Oscar Gaines and Peggy Washington.
Gaines will serve as Comptroller General until the General Assembly elects a successor or a successor otherwise qualifies as provided by law. A colleague at the Department of Administration will fulfill his duties there during his absence.
