I. Counties shall close their books on or before 90 days following the end of the county fiscal year unless the county has been granted an extension by the commissioner of the department of revenue administration. The commissioner may grant one or more 45-day extensions for cause, and shall notify the chairperson of the county convention of each extension and the reasons it was granted.
II. In the event that an audit is required or requested by resolution by either the board of commissioners or the county convention, the commissioners, with the approval of the executive committee of the county convention, shall engage the services of a certified public accountant qualified in municipal and county finances for the purpose of conducting an audit of the county books of records. The performance and scope of the audit shall be in accordance with generally-accepted auditing standards. The audit shall include an examination for conformance with state and federal laws and regulations relating to county finances, including rules adopted by the commissioner of revenue administration pursuant to RSA 541-A, and shall also include an examination of any subject of county finances that may be requested either by the commissioners, by the county convention, or by the treasurer. The audit shall be completed within 120 days following the close of the books of the county fiscal year. The commissioners shall cause the report of the auditor, together with the customary management representation letter and management responses, to be published with or supplementary to the annual reports of the county officers, with a copy forwarded to the department of revenue administration. Upon completion of a county audit under this section, the county convention shall review the audit, management representation letter, and management responses for compliance with the criteria described in this section and may suggest alternative or additional measures for use in subsequent audits.