About Us

The Office of the City Auditor seeks to assist City Council and residents in ensuring that our local government is accountable, transparent, and cost-effective.

To achieve our mission, we provide professional audit and related services including inquiries, investigations, and management advisory.

Basic services include:

  • Assessing the reliability and integrity of financial and operating information and the means used to identify, measure, classify, and report such information
  • Evaluating the systems established to ensure compliance with those policies, plans, procedures, laws, and regulations which could have a significant impact on the City of Norfolk
  • Reviewing the means of safeguarding assets and, as appropriate, verifying the existence of such assets
  • Appraising the economy and efficiency with which resources are applied
  • Examining operations or programs to determine if results are consistent with established goals and whether the objectives are being carried out as planned
  • Conducting investigations and inquires of abuse, fraud, and waste
  • We also provide reports and briefings to the Mayor and the entire City Council.

Meet the City Auditor

The City Council appointed Bradford Smith as the Norfolk City Auditor in November 2024.  

Mr. Smith has over 35 years of experience in the audit profession, working in both the state and municipal sectors. Bradford joined Team Norfolk in 1999 and has served as Assistant City Auditor II, Deputy City Auditor, and most recently, Chief Deputy City Auditor. In 2019, he began leading the investigation team investigating allegations received on the city’s fraud, waste, and abuse hotline.

Mr. Smith holds professional memberships with the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Association of Government Accountants, and the Association of Local Government Auditors.

Mr. Smith received his accounting degree from Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA. He is also a Certified Fraud Examiner.

Bradford and his wife Tina are the proud parents of three adult children.

2023 ALGA Compliance Certification