By virtue of the office, the auditor of state shall be the chief inspector and supervisor of public offices and may appoint not more than six deputy inspectors and supervisors and a clerk. Not more than three deputy inspectors and supervisors shall belong to the same political party.

The auditor of state shall appoint such state examiners as are necessary, who shall be known as assistant auditors of state, and such additional employees as the auditor of state requires. No person shall be appointed an assistant auditor of state unless the person holds a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, or has successfully completed at least sixteen semester hours or the equivalent in accounting or a related field from an accredited college or university or an accredited trade, technical, or vocational school beyond the high school level, or possesses at least three years' experience in accounting or a related field.

Any employee called upon to testify in any legal proceedings in regard to any official matter is entitled to compensation and expenses provided in this section. Each employee shall be reimbursed for travel, including meals, hotels, and other actual and necessary expenses when traveling on official business, under order of the auditor of state, away from the employee's headquarters or place of principal assignment, in the manner and at the same rates as are provided by the rules of the director of budget and management governing travel.

The auditor of state may employ experts or assistants necessary to disclose the facts concerning any matter and fix their compensation.

Amended by 132nd General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 312, §1, eff. 11/2/2018.

Effective Date: 07-01-1985.