R. Kinney Poynter

2025 Hall of Fame Inductee

R. Kinney Poynter retired in March 2025 after more than two decades as Executive Director of NASACT—culminating a career of exceptional service. For more than 35 years, Kinney played a central role in strengthening the national network of state financial leaders, working to improve transparency, accountability, and financial management in government. Appointed Executive Director in 2003, he guided NASACT and its affiliate organizations, NASC and NSAA, through a period of significant growth and impact.

Poynter’s leadership was particularly vital during the Covid pandemic, when he convened a national work group of federal, state, and local oversight officials—along with public accounting firms—to ensure accountability for trillions of dollars in emergency federal funding. This unprecedented collaboration safeguarded public resources during one of the most challenging periods in modern history.

Throughout his tenure, Poynter was a trusted voice in shaping government accounting and auditing standards. He engaged deeply with the GASB, AICPA, and GAO, while influencing major reforms to the single audit process—including the Single Audit Amendments of 1996, the Uniform Guidance, and the Compliance Supplement.

His legacy includes a pivotal role in securing a sustainable funding source for GASB—achieved through the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act in 2010—after years of collaboration with national partners, including the National Governors Association and the GFOA.
Prior to NASACT, Kinney served as a principal auditor with the Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts, a partner in a public accounting firm, and as an auditor for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, developing a deep expertise in financial, performance, and investigative audits.

His commitment to advancing the profession extends globally. Kinney led NASACT’s international partnership with oversight officials in Mexico, creating an exchange program to strengthen transparency, accountability, and governance. Under his leadership, NASACT also partnered with Rutgers University to expand access to its Master of Accountancy in Governmental Accounting Program to help develop the next generation of public finance leaders.

Kinney’s distinguished career has been recognized with a NASACT’s President’s Award, the William R. Snodgrass Distinguished Leadership Award, and the Louis L. Goldstein Leadership Award, among the highest honors in the field of government accountability.

A proud graduate of the University of Kentucky, Kinney holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in accounting, is a Certified Public Accountant, and has served as an instructor both domestically and internationally.

Kinney Poynter’s legacy is one of optimism, perseverance, cooperation and integrity, and he has left an indelible stamp on national government financial management and accountability.