G.S. 143-747

§ 143-747. Council of Internal Auditing.

(a) The Council of Internal Auditing is created, consisting of the following members:

(1) The State Controller who shall serve as Chair.

(2) The State Budget Officer.

(3) The Secretary of Administration.

(4) The Attorney General. The Attorney General may appoint a designee.

(5) The Secretary of Revenue.

(6) The State Auditor who shall serve as a nonvoting member. The State Auditor may appoint a designee.

(7) One member appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate pursuant to G.S. 120-121. The member appointed must be a certified public accountant licensed in this State who has experience with internal auditing and is in good standing with the North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners. The member shall be appointed for a term of four years and shall serve until a successor is appointed. A vacancy for a member appointed under this subdivision shall be filled by the appointing authority set forth in this subdivision to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

(8) One member appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives pursuant to G.S. 120-121. The member appointed must be a certified public accountant licensed in this State who has experience with internal auditing and is in good standing with the North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant Examiners. The member shall be appointed for a term of four years and shall serve until a successor is appointed. A vacancy for a member appointed under this subdivision shall be filled by the appointing authority set forth in this subdivision to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.

(a1) The Council shall hire an Executive Director as selected by a majority of the Council. The Executive Director shall serve at the will of the Council and be exempt from the provisions of the North Carolina Human Resources Act under Chapter 126 of the General Statutes.

(a2) The Council shall hire two full-time employees, as selected by a majority of the Council, to provide assistance to the Executive Director and to other staff of the Council of Internal Auditing. The employees shall perform any duties delegated by the Executive Director, serve at the will of the Council, and are exempt from the provisions of the North Carolina Human Resources Act under Chapter 126 of the General Statutes.

(b) The Council, including the position of Executive Director, shall be supported by the Office of State Budget and Management.

(1) Hold meetings at the call of the Chair or upon written request to the Chair by two members of the Council.

(2) Keep minutes of all proceedings.

(3) Promulgate guidelines for the uniformity and quality of State agency internal audit activities.

(3a) Establish required minimum key performance indicators and criteria that comply with the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing issued by the Institute for Internal Auditors.

(4) Recommend the number of internal audit employees required by each State agency.

(5) Develop internal audit guides, technical manuals, and suggested best internal audit practices.

(6) Administer an independent peer review system for each State agency internal audit activity; specify the frequency of such reviews consistent with applicable national standards; and assist agencies with selection of independent peer reviewers from other State agencies.

(7) Provide central training sessions, professional development opportunities, and recognition programs for internal auditors.

(8) Administer a program for sharing internal auditors among State agencies needing temporary assistance and assembly of interagency teams of internal auditors to conduct internal audits beyond the capacity of a single agency.

(9) Maintain a central database of all annual internal audit plans; topics for review proposed by internal audit plans; internal audit reports issued and individual findings and recommendations from those reports.

(10) Require reports in writing from any State agency relative to any internal audit matter.

(11) If determined necessary by a majority vote of the council:

a. Conduct hearings relative to any attempts to interfere with, compromise, or intimidate an internal auditor.

b. Inquire as to the effectiveness of any internal audit unit.

c. Authorize the Chair to issue subpoenas for the appearance of any person or internal audit working papers, report drafts, and any other pertinent document or record regardless of physical form needed for the hearing.

(11a) Gather and assess the extent to which State agencies have met the minimum key performance indicators and criteria required under subdivision (3a) of this subsection. The Council shall report its findings to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on or before December 31, 2022, and annually thereafter.

(12) No later than November 1 of each year, issue a report that shall include, but not be limited to, service efforts and accomplishments of State agency internal auditors and proposed legislation for consideration by the Governor and General Assembly. The annual report shall be prepared by the Office of State Budget and Management and shall be submitted to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on General Government. (2007-424, s. 1; 2013-406, s. 1; 2021-180, ss. 24.5(b), 37.1(f); 2022-6, s. 10.2.)