[3][4][2][5][6][7] The funds collectively amounted to $240 billion in assets under management as of 2020[update], the fourth-largest public pension plan in the US.

[2] In order to carry out the myriad duties and functions assigned to the office by law, the comptroller employs a staff of 800 people and maintains an operating budget of over $100 million.

[10] On September 6, 1802, after a tie vote by the New York City Common Council Committee on whether to pass an ordinance for the appointment of a comptroller with a salary of $1,500 ($32,000 in current dollar terms), the ordinance was adopted by the Recorder, John B Prevost, Esquire, casting a vote in favor.

In 1884 the office became elective,[12] and in 1938 the comptroller became head of a separate, independent department of the city's government.

[14] In fiscal year 2019, the comptroller resolved 13,712 claims and lawsuits against New York City for $975 million.

[17] The Democratic nominee in the 2009 general election, John Liu, won 76% of the citywide vote on November 3.

[18][19][20] Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer won the September 10, 2013, Democratic primary with 52% of the vote, defeating former New York State Governor Eliot Spitzer, who had been forced to resign as governor over various scandals and who received 48% of the vote.