About
William McNamara serves as the 20th Comptroller of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was originally appointed by Governor Charlie Baker and sworn in as Comptroller on February 21, 2020. He was re-appointed by Governor Maura Healey following her inauguration in early 2023.
In leading the Office of the Comptroller, McNamara focuses on oversight of the financial systems and processes of the Commonwealth, including spending on programs, vendors, and the state payroll. He is responsible for statewide accounting and financial reporting under both GASB (Government Accounting Standards Board) and federal requirements, and for providing transparency to the citizens, taxpayers, and residents of the Commonwealth.
Bill and his team are committed to meeting the highest standards of integrity and performance as a matter of public trust, while implementing modern management techniques and information technology. A key milestone was achieved in 2026, when the Commonwealth’s outdated statewide financial system was replaced with a secure, modern, user-friendly ERP application, after more than five years of planning and work across state government. As a manager, his goal is to enhance the skills and effectiveness of all members of the Comptroller team, in a workplace that is challenging, rewarding, and respectful of all members.
Previously, he served as Assistant Secretary in the Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F) and as a Deputy Commissioner in the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. In both roles, he led analytical work in areas of revenue policy and state finance, including the impact of federal tax reform legislation on state revenue and state residents.
Before entering government service, Bill McNamara (as he is known informally) had more than 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry. Focusing on strategic planning and financial analysis, he served as a CFO in the mutual fund and brokerage businesses. Over the course of his career, he managed product management, marketing, and customer analytics for a multibillion line of mutual funds. He continued to work as an executive and consultant in the industry until joining the Massachusetts Department of Revenue in 2016.
A native of Norwood and graduate of Norwood High School, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and English from Williams College. He earned his Master of Business Administration from the Tuck School at Dartmouth College, which fulfills the statutory requirement that Comptroller have “an advanced degree in accounting, auditing, financial management, business administration, or public administration.”
Bill and his wife reside in Wellesley, where they raised their two children. They are active in multiple charitable and educational causes.