The financial books and records of each county-owned hospital operating under authority of existing law must be audited for the preceding fiscal year, within ninety (90) days of the close of each year, by an independent accountant who is vested with the authority to practice the profession of accounting and auditing as a public accountant in conformity with the laws of the State of Oklahoma. The public accountant performing such a hospital audit must investigate and report upon the manner in which the county hospital is complying with the statutes pertaining to the financial operation of said hospital and upon the manner in which the county hospital is conforming to the books, forms, and accounting methods adopted and approved by the American Hospital Association and the Oklahoma Hospital Association. Four (4) copies of the audit report for each fiscal year must be filed within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of the fiscal year, one with the board of county commissioners, one in the office of the county clerk, one with the district attorney, and one with the State Auditor and Inspector, and publication of the existence and location of these audit reports shall be made by publication in a newspaper for two (2) issues in general circulation in the county. The cost of such audits shall be determined by the board of control of such county-owned hospitals by reference to generally accepted practices in the field of certified public accounting, and the payment for such audits shall be made by the allowance of claims by the board of control. In addition to, or in lieu of, the above provided annual audit, it shall be possible upon request of the county commissioners of any county, or upon request of the Governor, signed by five percent (5%) of the legal voters of any county, or by order of the Governor, to cause the State Auditor and Inspector to audit, for the preceding fiscal year, the books and records of the county-owned hospital operating under authority of existing law, and the cost of such audit shall be a proper charge against funds otherwise provided for by law.

Added by Laws 1961, p. 221, § 1, emerg. eff. Aug. 7, 1961. Amended by Laws 1967, c. 290, § 1; Laws 1970, c. 286, § 8, emerg. eff. April 27, 1970; Laws 1979, c. 30, § 83, emerg. eff. April 6, 1979.