Chapter 353

2005 -- S 0868 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 07/19/05

 

A N A C T

RELATING TO TOWNS AND CITIES -- AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS AND INSTALLATION OF SYSTEMS

 

     Introduced By: Senators Gallo, P Fogarty, and Walaska

     Date Introduced: March 02, 2005

 

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

 

     SECTION 1. Section 45-10-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 45-10 entitled "Audit of

Accounts and Installation of Systems" is hereby amended to read as follows:

 

     45-10-4. Annual post audit required. -- Prior to the close of the fiscal year of each city

and town Each municipality and regional school district in the state, the city or town prior to the

close of the fiscal year, shall retain the services of one or more independent certified public

accountants holding a certificate from the state of Rhode Island, or from any other state with

whom the state board of accountancy has a reciprocal relationship, to make a detailed post audit

of the financial records of the city and town municipality or regional school district for the

preceding fiscal year in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and government

auditing standards. School districts which are part of the primary government of a municipality

shall be included in the municipality's post audit and shall not be required to obtain a separate

post audit. The selection of auditors pursuant to this section shall be subject to the final approval

of the state auditor general. The municipality or school district shall not engage the auditors or

enter into a contract for those services until the auditor general gives his or her written

authorization. The term school district shall include regional school districts. At the request of

the auditor general, the audit firm for each municipality or school district shall release any and all

information obtained in the course of the engagement to the Rhode Island state auditor general (or

his/her designee). This information includes, but is not limited to, financial data, analysis, work

papers and memorandum. Audit work papers of the independent auditors shall be made available

to the auditor general (or his/her designee) upon request. The request for such information by the

auditor general shall be responded to promptly. Failure to provide this information shall

constitute a breach of contract by the audit firm. The auditor general shall have standing to bring

an action in the superior court to compel the audit firm to provide the information listed in this

section.

 

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.     

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LC02660/SUB A

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