NC H593

Transfers auditor certification authority from the Local Government Commission to the State Auditor, who will establish the process for certifying accountants qualified to conduct annual audits of local governments, public authorities, and local school administrative units

Requires governing boards to select auditors through a sealed bid process at least every five years, with selection based solely on cost, expertise, and completion time without knowing bidder identity

Appropriates $3,520,000 in recurring funds for fiscal year 2025-2026 to the State Auditor to create a financial administration program employing 32 finance professionals to assist small local governments with compliance

Requires the secretary to annually report to the Commission and General Assembly a list of local governments and public authorities failing to complete two or more consecutive annual audits

Effective July 1, 2025, applying to audits conducted on or after that date