Anthony Bellanca is a pretty stoic guy. A just-the-facts Joe Friday of the accounting world whose poise has impressed even his critics.

Bellanca admitted some sadness Monday, however, as he rode the elevator to the 11th floor for his final day of work after 16 years as the county's elected auditor-controller.

"It does give you some emotional feelings," Bellanca said. "It does."

Starting today, Bellanca will no longer see his name signed on the 2,000 checks the county writes each day. He will no longer be responsible for keeping the books on the county's now $2.76 billion budget and protecting taxpayers from waste and abuse.

Assistant Auditor Robert Byrd takes over today. Bellanca supported Byrd after Bellanca decided not to seek a fifth term. Bellanca was first hired by the county in 1972 as a junior auditor.

"I think people will look back and acknowledge the contributions this office has made," Bellanca said. "And above all that it was carried out with dignity and integrity."

His proudest achievement, Bellanca said, came in 1993-94 when he pushed to implement the so-called Teeter tax credit. That move put $58 million in the county treasury when revenues were low.

And Bellanca's office has received excellence in financial reporting from the National Government Finance Officers' Association for each of the last 13 years.

Those accomplishments did not shield Bellanca from harsh scoldings by some county supervisors, however. They blamed him for a $12 million accounting error in 1997 and an estimated $160 million property tax distribution problem that dated to 1984.

Through it all, Bellanca accepted responsibility for mistakes where he saw them and never lashed back at his detractors.

The composure earned him praise, even from his critics. The county Board of Supervisors honored Bellanca last week with a proclamation signed by all five members.

"You and I haven't always shared the same views," Supervisor John Tavaglione told Bellanca. "But through it all you have always maintained your integrity and your professionalism."

Over the years, a tiny guardian angel pinned to his suit jacket has comforted him when times were tough. And his wife Sharon never stopped smiling at him from a picture on his desk.

"She's my strongest supporter," Bellanca said. "My safe harbor, always there for me."

Bellanca, 55, said he expects to find work at another government agency or as a consultant. He resigned, not because of political pressure but, because he was young enough to pursue another career and "it was a right and good time for me to that," he said.

On Monday, Bellanca gingerly peeled from his office wall drawings done by his 5-year-old granddaughter, Madysen. He smiled proudly at his plaque from Cal Poly Pomona's Accounting Hall of Fame.

"This is it," Bellanca said. "Everything will go that belongs to me."