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California State Controller's Office

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California State Controller's Office Reviews

3.3

61% would recommend to a friend

(48 total reviews)
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Betty T Yee

75% approve of CEO

50% positive business outlook

California State Controller's Office has an employee rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars, based on 48 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The California State Controller's Office employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Government and public administration industry (3.6 stars).

Reviews by job title

48 reviews
1.0
3 May 2017
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

There's plenty of different kinds of work to do mailroom, accounting, claim processing, IT, etc. Some good people to work with at times, the work can be challenging or monotonous depending upon what you choose to do in your position. and the position you get. Convenient location in Sacramento. Free parking. If you work for a decent manager you will be better off.

Cons

There's a running joke that this is the "armpit" of the Controller's office. It's vastly different than working in the main downtown Controller's office. Even though this brings in some serious money to the Controller's office, the downtown staff and management can at times treat this office and personnel as a second class citizen. This is a production shop. It's all about putting money into the general fund and paying out unclaimed property claims. Management varies, a few good, many bad. It seems to be the norm to hire "yes" men/women who tow the line or people that are friends of the higher ups as managers regardless if they are really qualified or not. These managers will do nothing to help you further your career, their main concerns lie with getting promoted. There's no concern for staff morale. and it is poor here. It's all about doing the Division Chiefs bidding and don't question it or else. Good people and managers have literally been driven out of here for not "towing the line" and trying to do the right thing. There is no reward for hard work or going above and beyond. You will be timed for breaks/lunch and even if you are one minute late will be given warnings regardless how good a worker you are. If you get on the bad side of higher ups expect them to make your life hell and eventually drive you out. They are very good at that. Manager morals can be low. Some will intentionally deceive you, try to get you in trouble, and not adhere to the Controller's office own policies in how they treat enmployees. You will have to deal with some pretty inept and lazy people at times. Not really a lot of room for promotion here. The Controller is blind to how bad it has become here.

2.0
7 Aug 2015

Accounting Analyst

Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Opportunity to meet lots of people and create social contacts.

Cons

Lower pay than equivalent accounting positions in the private sector. Position requires college degree yet pays the same as non-college degree admin classifications (i.e. Staff Services Analyst). Minimal opportunities for advancement because you have to compete against hundreds of employees. Position requires written & oral exams/ ranking in order to be promoted but favoritism still exists. (ex: one can rank #1 but may never get promoted, even if a good worker, but a favored employee may get promoted several times). Instead of one big agency it operates like an umbrella over several independent ones. Bureau chiefs are allowed too much power, even though there is a union. Customer service hugely lacking in HR - some could care less about staff and lack knowledge regarding benefits, protocols, etc . . .

Viewing 1 - 3 of 48 Reviews

Glassdoor has 53 California State Controller's Office reviews submitted anonymously by California State Controller's Office employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if California State Controller's Office is right for you.