The Senate has confirmed Jules “Jay” Hurst III as the Pentagon’s comptroller, formally placing him in the senior role responsible for the Defence Department’s finances. The confirmation matters because the comptroller oversees budgeting, spending and financial management across the US military.

Hurst had already been performing the role on an acting basis and was nominated by the White House to serve permanently. His responsibilities include helping prepare the Pentagon’s budget, improving financial systems and supporting efforts to achieve a clean departmental audit.