Carolyn Smith, CPA, MBA, CRMA has led the Columbus City Schools’ Office of Internal Audit since September 2009. During Ms. Smith tenure, she was recognized by Auditor of State Dave Yost as a Tax Payer Hero for her commitment to ethics and integrity in finding the truth regarding the data scrubbing case. According to Auditor Yost, “her cooperation was invaluable to investigators, students and the citizens of Columbus.” Ms. Smith was also selected as the Ohio School Board Association Exemplary School District Employee in 2019. Ms. Smith is very active in the accounting profession and volunteers her expertise to various national and state organizations either as a Board member, committee member or general member:

 Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) member. Ms. Smith, along with her six GASB colleagues establish Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) over financial accounting and reporting for all state and local governments throughout the United States.
 Board of Director and member of the Ohio Society of CPA’s.
 Board of Director and Committee member of the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA).

Prior to joining the Columbus City Schools, Ms. Smith created the compliance audit function for the Council of Aging of Southwestern Ohio. Ms. Smith also served as the Director of Audit and Business Services.

Inaugural member of the Cincinnati Chambers WE Lead program. WE Lead is a leadership development program for high potential, goal-oriented women looking to advance their careers and elevate their leadership capabilities. WE Lead prepares, positions, and empowers women to move into higher leadership roles. Ms. Smith is a graduate of Ohio University (BS), Franklin University (MBA) and a proud graduate of Columbus Central High School, Home of the Pirates.

Professional memberships include the Ohio Society of CPA’s, Association of Local Government Auditors, Association of Government Accountants, the Institute of Internal Auditors, and the International Association of School Business Officials.