The scope of activities undertaken by the office and the person in the Comptroller position has evolved over the Institute's history. Until the late 1940s, the Institute administrative staff was very small and most business operations were handled by the Director, his assistants, and select Board members. By 1947, the Institute had created a small Business Office. William Bradley served as the General Superintendent, responsible primarily for facilities-related issues, and Luella Trinterud served as Comptroller, responsible for financial management.

In 1950, the Business Office became part of the Office of the General Manager, led by Horace Kingston Fleming, known as H.K. Fleming. Areas of oversight for the Office of the General Manager included finance, furniture and equipment acquisitions, maintenance, housing, and transportation. Luella Trinterud continued as Comptroller.

Minot ("Mike") Morgan was named General Manager and Comptroller in 1954. He remained with the Institute until his retirement in 1978. With these positions held by the same person, some business functions for which responsiblity would typically be split were consolidated. At the time of his retirement, the positions and functions were once again split, with James Barbour being named Assistant Manager of Administration (later Manager of Administration) and Sabina Modzelewski, Comptroller. At that time, the Comptroller was solely responsible for financial operations.

Mary Mazza was named Comptroller in 1988. The current Comptroller's Office includes responsibility for all aspects of accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and accounting.