RALEIGH, June 3, 2019 – Governor Cooper signed a bill into law providing local government more flexibility in obtaining part-time finance staffers. House Bill 233 began as an agency bill requested by State Auditor Beth Wood, which passed the House and then incorporated an amendment from Sen. Andy Wells, R-Catawba, adding a section on municipal and county requirements to employ a finance officer.
Sen. Wells remarked (as reported by Colin Campbell in THE INSIDER), “Whether you’re a small municipality, a small county or a small business, it’s extremely difficult to afford a certified public accountant full-time,” adding, “This is a cost savings and it’s a financial accountability amendment.”
NCACPA CEO Sharon Bryson spoke in favor of this bill before the Senate Agriculture/Environment/Natural Resources Committee. The Association views this legislation as a victory for both CPAs and taxpayers in the context of financial accountability.