Article 4. Qualifications For Office of California Government Code >> Division 2. >> Title 3. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 4.

No person shall hereafter be elected or appointed to the office of county auditor of any county unless the person meets at least one of the following criteria:
  (a) The person possesses a valid certificate issued by the California Board of Accountancy under Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code showing the person to be, and a permit authorizing the person to practice as, a certified public accountant or as a public accountant.
  (b) The person possesses a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university, college, or other four-year institution, with a major in accounting or its equivalent, as described in subdivision (a) of Section 5081.1 of the Business and Professions Code, and has served within the last five years in a senior fiscal management position in a county, city, or other public agency, a private firm, or a nonprofit organization, dealing with similar fiscal responsibilities, for a continuous period of not less than three years.
  (c) The person possesses a certificate issued by the Institute of Internal Auditors showing the person to be a designated professional internal auditor, with a minimum of 16 college semester units, or their equivalent, in accounting, auditing, or finance.
  (d) The person has served as county auditor, chief deputy county auditor, or chief assistant county auditor for a continuous period of not less than three years.

(a) Any person serving in the capacity of county auditor shall complete at least 40 hours of qualifying continuing education, pursuant to subdivision (b), for each two-year period, beginning January 1, 1998, and completing at least 10 hours in each year of the two-year period. At least 20 of the 40 hours of continuing education shall be obtained in governmental accounting, auditing, or related subjects.
  (b) Qualifying continuing education may be obtained in the areas of accounting, auditing, or related subjects. In addition, qualifying continuing education may be obtained in any other subject, if it can be demonstrated that the specific educational program contributes to professional competence.
  (c) With respect to a county auditor who is a licensee of the California Board of Accountancy, or of the accountancy licensing authority of any other state, or who possesses a certificate issued by the Institute of Internal Auditors, continuing education obtained for purposes of renewal of the license or certificate may be applied to satisfy the requirements of this section.

The provisions of this article shall become effective in only those counties in which, prior to the first day of the period for filing declarations of candidacy for the office of county auditor, the board of supervisors by a unanimous vote, at a regular meeting with all members present, enacts an ordinance adopting the provisions of this article. The ordinance so adopted may be repealed by the board of supervisors at any time.