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Erik Smith is a seasoned professional with many years of diverse fiscal management, internal controls, and governance experience. Throughout his career, he has served in leadership roles across the not-for-profit and public sector environments.
As Controller at Ostroff Associates, Erik plays a critical role in overseeing the firm’s accounting and financial operations, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and strong internal controls across the organization. He manages key functions including budgeting, payroll, client billing, vendor payments, and financial reporting, while supporting leadership with clear insights to guide business decisions. Through his attention to detail and hands-on approach, Erik helps keep the firm’s financial operations efficient, compliant, and positioned for continued success.
Prior to joining Ostroff Associates, Erik worked at the NYS Office of General Services; most recently serving as Deputy Commissioner and Chief Financial Officer, where he played an instrumental role in managing the agency’s expanding budget. As a member of the agency’s leadership team, he helped guide OGS through several complex challenges, including the global COVID-19 pandemic, and the successful establishment of new agencies and commissions.
At the Albany Port District Commission, Erik served as the Director of Internal Controls and later assumed the responsibilities of Chief Financial Officer. During his tenure, he implemented controls which eliminated multi-year reoccurring audit findings, provided strategic financial leadership to complete multiple large-scale capital projects, and negotiated key long-term lease restructurings. Erik developed and executed the plan of finance for a strategic land acquisition that enabled the Port to grow by 25% and pursue manufacturing and maritime opportunities. He also directed the effort leading the Port to become the first Green Marine certified maritime facility in New York State.
Erik has also previously served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Capitalize Albany Corporation, where he provided overall fiscal leadership including management of the Corporation’s loan and real estate portfolios. In this role, he developed and executed the financing plan for a$22 million mixed-used development project with the City of Albany’s Park South neighborhood, which served as the catalyst for $220 million of private investment funded projects within Park South. Erik also served as Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Treasurer of the City of Albany Industrial Development Agency and City of Albany Capital Resource Corporation.
Erik holds an MBA from the College of Saint Rose and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University at Albany.
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