The state auditor must be a certified public accountant licensed to practice in this state. The state auditor shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation by a majority vote of the members elected to and serving in each house of the general assembly to serve for a term of five years and until a successor is appointed and qualified with the first such term beginning on July 1, 1966. If a vacancy occurs in the position of state auditor, the committee may designate a temporary state auditor who shall exercise and perform all of the powers and duties that are by law to be exercised and performed by the state auditor until a replacement is appointed by the general assembly.