Jill Davidson

Biography—Athens County Auditor

Jill Davidson began her employment as Deputy Auditor with the County Auditor’s office in 1992 through 1996 working in the Real Estate Division. Auditor Davidson holds the record for the longest serving County Auditor in Athens County having served more than 22 years in her post.   

In addition to her many duties and responsibilities associated with the operation of the Auditor’s office, Davidson is a Past President of the County Auditors’ Association of Ohio (CAAO) 2010, Past President of the Southeast District CAAO (2003-2004), and has served on the Executive, Legislative and numerous Ad Hoc Committees.

Davidson is Past President of the Ohio Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) 2017, and has served on the Board of Trustees and is a member of the Education Committee where she has presented at conferences and workshops.

Athens County Auditor Jill Davidson currently served as President of the Ohio Council of County Officials (OCCO) for 2021-2022.  

Davidson maintains professional memberships of the CAAO, GFOA, Ohio GFOA, the International Association of Assessing officers (IAAO) and is an Associate member of the Ohio Township Association (OTA).

As Auditor, Davidson has received the Award of Financial Reporting Achievement from GFOA, the Distinguished Auditor’s Award from the CAAO on four separate occasions, and has been recognized by the Auditor of State’s office for Excellence in Financial Accountability and the Ohio Auditor of State Award with Distinction. In 2020, Auditor Davidson received the Richard Malowski Outstanding Auditor of the Year Award by the CAAO in 2020.

Davidson is the former Chairperson of the Correction Commission of Southeastern Ohio where she currently sits on the Finance Committee. Auditor Davidson played an integral role in the development and implementation of a financing model for the regional jail in cooperation with the Distinguished Professor of Economics Emeritus at Ohio University, Dr. Richard Vedder.

Athens County Auditor Jill Davidson passed the Comprehensive Exam for the Fundamentals of Mass Appraisal sponsored by the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) in 2013 which is the requirement to qualify as a Mass Appraisal Project Manager in the State of Ohio.

Auditor Davidson has a record of standing up to misspending, fraud, waste and abuse of public funds.

Jill is a lifetime resident of Athens County and a graduate of Alexander High School. In 1992 received her Bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in Finance from the College of Business Administration. Davidson received her Master’s in Financial Economics at Ohio University in 2013 and was inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi for her achievements.

Davidson is committed to seeking new and innovative ways to streamline services, remains focused on transparency, and an accountable government. Davidson makes the interests of taxpayers her first priority.

Jill Davidson has a reputation for being accountable, transparent and honest. She is married to John Davidson. Together, they have five adult sons. Tyler Davidson, Trent Thompson (Anika Friedman), Lukas Thompson, Ryan Davidson and Seth Thompson. They reside near Albany, Ohio.