Natalia Chi
LOS ANGELES–(COMMERCIAL THREAD)–Scott Suzuki, who has 22 years of experience evaluating and improving organizations in both the public and private sectors, has been appointed Auditor General of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.
Suzuki, who will report directly to the Metropolitan board of directors, will begin in his new role on February 6. He succeeds Gerald C. Riss, who retired in 2022 after 20 years as Metropolitan’s auditor general.
“I look forward to working with Mr. Suzuki as he brings a wealth of leadership experience, knowledge and integrity that will serve Metropolitan well in ensuring our practices and approaches best serve our service area of California Southern,” said Council President Adán Ortega, Jr.
As Auditor General, Suzuki will independently review internal controls, financial records and reports, develop a flexible annual audit plan, determine compliance with bond covenants and applicable laws and regulations, ensure assets and resources are properly accounted for and safeguarded from waste, loss or misuse and administer Metropolitan’s contract for audit services with an independent public accounting firm.
Prior to joining Metropolitan, Suzuki served as Deputy Director/Interim Director of Orange County Internal Audit since 2018. He started in the auditing field in 1995 as an internal auditor for HomeBase, Inc., followed by audit assignments at Deloitte and the California State University system, before joining Orange County as a principal/senior internal auditor in 2002. In 2006, Suzuki became Internal Audit/Compliance Manager for Santa Ana John Wayne Airport before moving to Orange County’s Comptroller of Auditors in 2014 as Chief Accounting Officer. In 2016, he was promoted to Director/Assistant Director of Internal Audit in the Auditor’s Office before moving into his most recent role as Assistant Director/Interim Director.
Suzuki received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of California, Los Angeles. He holds a CPA license and CIA, CISA and CFE designations.
