About the Treasurer's Office

Maria E. Walls, CPA was elected Beaufort County Treasurer in November 2014. Before assuming the office of Treasurer she served four years as Deputy Treasurer. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and graduated Cum Laude with a Masters of Accounting, with a specialization in International Business from Rider University in New Jersey. Prior to joining the Treasurer’s office, she worked in public accounting as an Auditor for a multinational CPA firm and, upon her arrival in Beaufort County, a local CPA firm.

In 2010, Maria was selected to join the South Carolina Association of CPA’s Young CPA Cabinet, a program exclusive to 20 individuals in the state geared towards the development of leadership and management skills within the CPA profession. As part of the Continuing Education Committee, Maria was instrumental in planning and coordinating the Emerging Leadership Conference in its inaugural and second year.

In 2015 Ms. Walls was named Office Holder of the Year by Thomson Reuters for having achieved excellence in planning, leadership and service as Beaufort County Treasurer. And in 2016 she was awarded the Local Government Award by the South Carolina Republican Party for outstanding service to Beaufort County through the exemplification of conservative principles in public office.

Since joining the Treasurer’s Office, through leadership and training, Ms. Walls brought fiscal responsibility to the forefront of the Treasurer’s Office operations, and created and implemented the first ever internal control policies for the Beaufort County Treasurer’s Office. This resulted in a significant increase in efficiency and accountability, proven by:

Accomplishments

During Ms. Walls’ first four years, the budget was reduced by $351,000 or 13.6% and actual expenditures were reduced by $297,234 or 12%.
Saved over $13,000 annually by instituting an eReceipt program, which provides paid receipts electronically to taxpayers; at the time, the only Treasurer’s Office to do so.
Saved over $62,000 annually by working with DMV to send paid motor vehicle receipts on Beaufort County’s behalf.

Has maintained a collection rate of over 97.5% that has increased each year.
Launched BeaufortCountyTreasurer.com on July 1, 2015, unmatched by any other Treasurer’s website in South Carolina for its transparency and content.
Conducted the first online delinquent auction in the State of South Carolina, now conducted annually.
Negotiated a reduction of 0.25% in credit and debit card convenience fees.
Improved staffing quality and increased productivity with the establishment of annual employee reviews.
Eliminated the ability to generate checks within the Treasurer’s office, reducing the risk of fraud.
Fully transitioned to paperless processes, fostering transparency and better customer service for the public.
Created and successfully executed an electronic receipting program for other County departments, providing an additional layer of control over funds coming to the County.
Expanded services such as: increased payment options for tax and redemption payments, accepting payments on behalf of other departments, and providing an online tax bill look-up resource.

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Ms. Walls is active in the community and professional organizations as well as CEO of a youthful and lively household.