Missoula County opposes SB 277: Allow appointment and additional qualifications of county auditors, up for hearing this afternoon in the Senate State Administration Committee.
SB 277 would allow county commissioners to change the county auditor from an elected office to an appointed position. Having an independently elected position serve in this position is essential because of the nature of their work. For reference, in the private sector, internal auditors answer to a special audit committee on the board of directors rather than to the officers of the organization. The same independence is achieved in the public sector by making the auditor an elected position.
SB 277 also proposes changing the qualifications for county auditors. Narrowing the pool of eligible candidates by imposing a CPA requirement would disqualify people who are otherwise qualified to handle the demands of the position. Requiring a CPA is restrictive and would dramatically narrow the number of citizens who would be able to file for this office. Requiring other qualifications such as an accounting degree and certification in examining fraud would be sufficient.
Sent February 20:
ReplyDeleteSenator Bennett,
Missoula County opposes SB 277: Allow appointment and additional qualifications of county auditors, up for hearing this afternoon in the Senate State Administration Committee.
SB 277 would allow county commissioners to change the county auditor from an elected office to an appointed position. Having an independently elected position serve in this position is essential because of the nature of their work. For reference, in the private sector, internal auditors answer to a special audit committee on the board of directors rather than to the officers of the organization. The same independence is achieved in the public sector by making the auditor an elected position.
SB 277 also proposes changing the qualifications for county auditors. Narrowing the pool of eligible candidates by imposing a CPA requirement would disqualify people who are otherwise qualified to handle the demands of the position. Requiring a CPA is restrictive and would dramatically narrow the number of citizens who would be able to file for this office. Requiring other qualifications such as an accounting degree and certification in examining fraud would be sufficient.
Please oppose SB 277.