Chapter 117 | Auditor of State

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Section 117.01 \| Auditor of state definitions. Effective: September 4, 2013 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 67 - 130th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF As used in this chapter: (A) "Color of office" means actually, purportedly, or allegedly done under any law, ordinance, resolution, order, or other pretension to official right, power, or authority. (B) "Public accountant" means any person who is authorized by Chapter 4701. of the Revised Code to use the designation of certified public accountant or who was registered prior to January 1, 1971, as a public accountant. (C) "Public money" means any money received, collected by, or due a public official under color of office, as well as any money collected by any individual on behalf of a public office or as a purported representative or agent of the public office. "Public money" does not include either of the following: (1) Money or revenue earned by or from a person's ownership, operation, or use of an asset, whether tangible or intangible, that either in whole or in part was sold, was leased, was licensed, was the granting of a franchise, or was otherwise transferred or conveyed by a public office to the person pursuant to an agreement, authorized by law, between the person and the public office in which the public office received consideration from the person for the asset that was sold, leased, licensed, franchised, or otherwise transferred or conveyed; (2) With respect to the transfer described in Chapter 4313. of the Revised Code and the operation of the enterprise acquisition project, revenues or receipts of or from the enterprise acquisition project in the hands of the nonprofit corporation formed under section 187.01 of the Revised Code or of a nonprofit entity the sole member of which is that nonprofit corporation, but does include any taxes collected on the spirituous liquor sales and then due the department of taxation and amounts then due to the state general revenue fund pursuant to section 4301.12 of the Revised Code. As used in this division, "enterprise acquisition project" has the meaning defined in section 4313.01 of the Revised Code. (D) "Public office" means any state agency, public institution, political subdivision, other organized body, office, agency, institution, or entity established by the laws of this state for the exercise of any function of government. "Public office" does not include the nonprofit corporation formed under section 187.01 of the Revised Code. (E) "Public official" means any officer, employee, or duly authorized representative or agent of a public office. (F) "State agency" means every organized body, office, agency, institution, or other entity established by the laws of the state for the exercise of any function of state government. (G) "Audit" means any of the following: (1) Any examination, analysis, or inspection of the state's or a public office's financial statements or reports; (2) Any examination, analysis, or inspection of records, documents, books, or any other evidence relating to either of the following: (a) The collection, receipt, accounting, use, or expenditure of public money by a public office or by a private institution, association, board, or corporation; (b) The determination by the auditor of state, as required by section 117.11 of the Revised Code, of whether a public office has complied with all the laws, rules, ordinances, or orders pertaining to the public office. (3) Any other type of examination, analysis, or inspection of a public office, or of the specific funds or accounts of a private institution, association, board, or corporation into which public money has been placed or deposited, that is conducted according to generally accepted or governmental auditing standards established by rule pursuant to section 117.19 of the Revised Code. (H) "Person" has the meaning defined in section 1.59 of the Revised Code.
Section 117.02 \| Election - term. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall be elected quadrennially and shall hold his office for a term of four years. The term of office of the auditor of state shall commence on the second Monday of January next after his election.
Section 117.03 \| Bond. Effective: September 29, 2013 Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 - 130th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Before entering upon the discharge of the duties of office, the auditor of state shall give a bond to the state in the sum of twenty thousand dollars, with a surety authorized to do business in the state, conditioned for the faithful discharge of the duties of the office of auditor of state. The bond and the oath of office shall be deposited with and kept by the secretary of state and kept in the secretary of state's office.
Section 117.04 \| Chief deputy auditor of state. Effective: September 30, 2021 Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall appoint a chief deputy auditor of state who shall be a certified public accountant with an active Ohio permit. The appointment shall be in writing under the official seal of the auditor of state and recorded in the office of the secretary of state. Last updated October 6, 2021 at 5:53 PM
Section 117.05 \| Bond of chief deputy. Effective: September 30, 2021 Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Before entering upon the discharge of the duties of office, the chief deputy auditor of state shall give a bond to the auditor of state in the sum of ten thousand dollars, with a surety approved by the auditor of state, conditioned for the faithful discharge of the duties of the chief deputy's office. Last updated October 6, 2021 at 5:54 PM
Section 117.06 \| Powers and duties of chief deputy. Effective: September 30, 2021 Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF During the absence or disability of the auditor of state, or when so directed by the auditor of state, the chief deputy auditor of state may perform all the duties of auditor of state. Last updated October 6, 2021 at 5:55 PM
Section 117.07 \| Designee of auditor may serve. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Any designee of the auditor of state may serve on any board or commission of which the auditor of state is a member by law.
Section 117.08 \| Records subject to inspection. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall keep the records, books, accounts, documents, other papers, and vouchers pertaining to his office, properly marked, numbered, and filed in his office, and at all times subject to the inspection of the governor or a committee of the general assembly, or either house thereof, appointed to examine them. Official copies of such records and documents shall be certified and signed by the auditor of state and have the seal of his office affixed.
Section 117.09 \| Auditor of State authority. Effective: September 30, 2021 Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state, by virtue of the office, shall be the lead public official responsible for the examination, analysis, inspection, and audits of all public offices. The auditor of state may hire, appoint, and fix the compensation of auditors, investigators, and other staff necessary to carry out the statutory responsibilities of the office. Last updated October 6, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Section 117.091 \| Appointing investigators. Effective: September 23, 2011 Latest Legislation: House Bill 5 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF For the purpose of discharging the duties of the auditor of state, the auditor of state may appoint any investigators that are necessary. The auditor of state shall not appoint a person as an investigator under this section unless the person holds a valid certificate from the Ohio peace officer training council. While engaged in the scope of the investigator's duties in enforcing this chapter, an investigator appointed under this section has all of the powers and authority of a peace officer under the laws of this state.
Section 117.10 \| Auditor of state - duties - federal audits. Effective: September 29, 2013 Latest Legislation: House Bill 59 (GA 130), Senate Bill 67 (GA 130) PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The auditor of state shall audit all public offices as provided in this chapter. The auditor of state also may audit the specific funds or accounts of private institutions, associations, boards, and corporations into which has been placed or deposited public money from a public office and may require of them annual reports in such form as the auditor of state prescribes. The auditor of state may audit some or all of the other funds or accounts of a private institution, association, board, or corporation that has received public money from a public office only if one or more of the following applies: (1) The audit is specifically required or authorized by the Revised Code; (2) The private institution, association, board, or corporation requests that the auditor of state audit some or all of its other funds or accounts; (3) All of the revenue of the private institution, association, board, or corporation is composed of public money; (4) The private institution, association, board, or corporation failed to separately and independently account for the public money in its possession, in violation of section 117.431 of the Revised Code; (5) The auditor of state has a reasonable belief that the private institution, association, board, or corporation illegally expended, converted, misappropriated, or otherwise cannot account for the public money it received from a public office and that it is necessary to audit its other funds or accounts to make that determination. (B) If the auditor of state performs or contracts for the performance of an audit, including a special audit, of the public employees retirement system, school employees retirement system, state teachers retirement system, state highway patrol retirement system, or Ohio police and fire pension fund, the auditor of state shall make a timely report of the results of the audit to the Ohio retirement study council. (C) The auditor of state may audit the accounts of any medicaid provider, as defined in section 5164.01 of the Revised Code. (D) If a public office has been audited by an agency of the United States government, the auditor of state may, if satisfied that the federal audit has been conducted according to principles and procedures not contrary to those of the auditor of state, use and adopt the federal audit and report in lieu of an audit by the auditor of state's own office. (E) Within thirty days after the creation or dissolution or the winding up of the affairs of any public office, that public office shall notify the auditor of state in writing that this action has occurred. (F) Nothing in this section precludes the auditor of state from issuing to a private institution, association, board, or corporation a subpoena and compulsory process for the attendance of witnesses or the production of records under section 117.18 of the Revised Code if the subpoena and compulsory process is in furtherance of an audit the auditor of state is authorized by law to perform. The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation. Last updated January 13, 2023 at 1:31 PM
Section 117.101 \| Uniform accounting network - fund. Effective: September 29, 2011 Latest Legislation: House Bill 153 - 129th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall provide, operate, and maintain a uniform and compatible computerized financial management and accounting system known as the uniform accounting network. The network shall be designed to provide public offices, other than state agencies and the Ohio education computer network and public school districts, with efficient and economical access to data processing and management information facilities and expertise. In accordance with this objective, activities of the network shall include, but not be limited to, provision, maintenance, and operation of the following facilities and services: (A) A cooperative program of technical assistance for public offices, other than state agencies and the Ohio education computer network and public school districts, including, but not limited to, an adequate computer software system and a data base; (B) An information processing service center providing approved computerized financial accounting and reporting services to participating public offices. The auditor of state and any public office, other than a state agency and the Ohio education computer network and public school districts, may enter into any necessary agreements, without advertisement or bidding, for the provision of necessary goods, materials, supplies, and services to such public offices by the auditor of state through the network. The auditor of state may, by rule, provide for a system of user fees to be charged participating public offices for goods, materials, supplies, and services received from the network. All such fees shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the uniform accounting network fund, which is hereby created. The fund shall be used by the auditor of state to pay the costs of establishing and maintaining the network. The fund shall be assessed a proportionate share of the auditor of state's administrative costs in accordance with procedures prescribed by the auditor of state.
Section 117.103 \| Auditor of state's system for reporting fraud. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A)(1) The auditor of state shall establish and maintain a system for the reporting of fraud, including misuse and misappropriation of public money, by any public office or public official. The system shall allow Ohio residents and the employees of any public office to make anonymous complaints through a toll-free telephone number, the auditor of state's web site, or the United States mail to the auditor of state's office. The auditor of state shall review all complaints in a timely manner. (2)(a) Subject to division (A)(2)(b) of this section, the auditor of state shall keep a log of all complaints filed under this section, which is a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code. The log shall include the date the complaint was received, a general description of the nature of the complaint, the name of the public office or agency with regard to which the complaint is directed, and a general description of the status of the review by the auditor of state. If section 149.43 of the Revised Code or another statute provides for an applicable exemption from the definition of public record for the information recorded on the log, that information may be redacted. (b) The auditor shall not log a complaint regarding an ongoing criminal investigation, but shall log the complaint not later than thirty days after the investigation is complete. (c) If the auditor of state determines that a report made under division (A)(1) of this section involves probable fraud or theft, including misuse and misappropriation of public money by any public office or public official, the auditor of state shall promptly notify the prosecuting attorney, director of law, village solicitor, or similar chief legal officer of the municipal corporation in whose jurisdiction the probable fraud or theft occurred, unless the prosecuting attorney, director of law, village solicitor, or similar chief legal officer of the municipal corporation is identified in the report as the alleged perpetrator of the fraud or theft. (B) The auditor of state shall create training material detailing Ohio's fraud-reporting system and the means of reporting fraud, waste, and abuse. The department of administrative services shall provide the auditor of state's training material to each state employee, statewide elected official, and member of the general assembly. Such materials shall be as concise as practicable. The auditor of state shall provide the training material to employees and elected officials of a political subdivision. Current employees and elected officials as of the effective date of this amendment shall complete the training within ninety days of a date specified by the auditor of state unless good cause exists for noncompliance. Each new employee or elected official shall confirm receipt of this material within thirty days after taking office or beginning employment. The training shall be required every four years for each employee or elected official. The auditor of state shall provide a model form on the auditor of state's web site to be printed and used by public employees and elected officials to sign and verify their receipt of material as required by this section. The auditor of state shall confirm, when conducting an audit under section 117.11 of the Revised Code, that public employees and elected officials have been provided material as required by this division. Last updated September 22, 2023 at 9:29 AM
Section 117.105 \| Notice from auditor. Effective: February 1, 2016 Latest Legislation: House Bill 2 - 131st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall provide written notice to the sponsor of a community school regarding any action taken against or upcoming audits of a community school to assist the sponsor in complying with the requirements of section 3314.019 of the Revised Code.
Section 117.11 \| Annual, biennial, and early audits. Effective: April 12, 2021 Latest Legislation: House Bill 450 - 133rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Except as otherwise provided in this division and in sections 117.112 and 117.113 of the Revised Code, the auditor of state shall audit each public office at least once every two fiscal years. The auditor of state shall audit a public office each fiscal year if that public office is required to be audited on an annual basis pursuant to "The Single Audit Act of 1984," 98 Stat. 2327, 31 U.S.C.A. 7501 et seq., as amended. In the annual or biennial audit, inquiry shall be made into the methods, accuracy, and legality of the accounts, financial reports, records, files, and reports of the office, whether the laws, rules, ordinances, and orders pertaining to the office have been observed, and whether the requirements and rules of the auditor of state have been complied with. Except as otherwise provided in this division or where auditing standards or procedures dictate otherwise, each audit shall cover at least one fiscal year. If a public office is audited only once every two fiscal years, the audit shall cover both fiscal years. (B) In addition to the annual or biennial audit provided for in division (A) of this section, the auditor of state may conduct an audit of a public office at any time when so requested by the public office or upon the auditor of state's own initiative if the auditor of state has reasonable cause to believe that an additional audit is in the public interest. (C)(1) The auditor of state shall identify any public office in which the auditor of state will be unable to conduct an audit at least once every two fiscal years as required by division (A) of this section and shall provide immediate written notice to the clerk of the legislative authority or governing board of the public office so identified. Within six months of the receipt of such notice, the legislative authority or governing board may engage an independent certified public accountant to conduct an audit pursuant to section 117.12 of the Revised Code. (2) When the chief fiscal officer of a public office notifies the auditor of state that an audit is required at a time prior to the next regularly scheduled audit by the auditor of state, the auditor of state shall either cause an earlier audit to be made by the auditor of state or authorize the legislative authority or governing board of the public office to engage an independent certified public accountant to conduct the required audit. The scope of the audit shall be as authorized by the auditor of state. (3) The auditor of state shall approve the scope of an audit under division (C)(1) or (2) of this section as set forth in the contract for the proposed audit before the contract is executed on behalf of the public office that is to be audited. The independent accountant conducting an audit under division (C)(1) or (2) of this section shall be paid by the public office. (4) The contract for attest services with an independent accountant employed pursuant to this section or section 117.115 of the Revised Code may include binding arbitration provisions, provisions of Chapter 2711. of the Revised Code, or any other alternative dispute resolution procedures to be followed in the event a dispute remains between the state or public office and the independent accountant concerning the terms of or services under the contract, or a breach of the contract, after the administrative provisions of the contract have been exhausted. (D) If a uniform accounting network is established under section 117.101 of the Revised Code, the auditor of state or a certified public accountant employed pursuant to this section or section 117.112 or 117.115 of the Revised Code shall, to the extent practicable, utilize services offered by the network in order to conduct efficient and economical audits of public offices. (E) The auditor of state, in accordance with division (A)(3) of section 9.65 of the Revised Code and this section, may audit an annuity program for volunteer fire fighters established by a political subdivision under section 9.65 of the Revised Code. As used in this section, "volunteer fire fighters" and "political subdivision" have the same meanings as in division (C) of section 9.65 of the Revised Code. (F) The auditor of state may establish by rule an agreed-upon procedure by which political subdivisions may be audited. The rules shall set forth the standards, procedures, guidelines, and reporting requirements for an agreed-upon procedure audit.
Section 117.111 \| County office using electronic records and signatures to include security procedure in audit. Effective: November 5, 2004 Latest Legislation: House Bill 204 - 125th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) If a county office uses electronic records and electronic signatures under Chapter 1306. of the Revised Code, the auditor of state, in conducting an audit of that office under division (A) or (B) of section 117.11 of the Revised Code, shall inquire into the method, accuracy, and effectiveness of any security procedure adopted by that office under section 304.02 of the Revised Code. (B) As used in this section, "county office," "electronic," "electronic record," and "electronic signature" have the same meanings as in section 304.01 of the Revised Code.
Section 117.112 \| Audit of buckeye tobacco settlement financing authority. Effective: June 30, 2007 Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall audit the buckeye tobacco settlement financing authority each fiscal year in accordance with this chapter. The auditor may engage an independent certified public accountant to conduct the audit.
Section 117.113 \| Audit of RC Chapter 3326 technical schools. Effective: September 29, 2007 Latest Legislation: House Bill 119 - 127th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall audit each science, technology, engineering, and mathematics school established under Chapter 3326. of the Revised Code in accordance with this chapter each fiscal year.
Section 117.115 \| Independent certified public accountant to perform required audit in lieu of auditor of state. Effective: October 17, 2019 Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The auditor of state shall adopt rules in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code under which any public office, other than a state agency, may request, and participate in the selection of, an independent certified public accountant to perform any required audit of the public office, in lieu of the auditor of state. (B) Except as provided in division (A) of this section, when the auditor of state determines that the auditor's office will not audit a public office other than a state agency, the auditor shall contract with a certified public accountant, or an official governmental audit organization to perform this audit on behalf of the auditor of state's office. (C) The auditor of state shall prescribe rules to ensure compliance by independent auditors with generally accepted government auditing standards. The auditor of state shall be granted access to the working papers of an independent auditor during the audit and after its termination. A sum totaling twenty per cent of the total audit cost shall be withheld until certification of the audit report by the auditor of state. The independent audit cost shall be borne by the office that is to be audited. Such contracts for auditing services are void, and no payment shall be issued for services received under such contracts, unless they are executed by the auditor of state.
Section 117.116 \| Review of warrant under protest. Effective: April 7, 2021 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 10 - 133rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state, upon receiving notification that a county auditor has filed a warrant under protest as specified in section 319.16 of the Revised Code, may review that warrant as part of the auditor of state's next regularly scheduled audit of the public office that presented documents under that section that led to issuance of the warrant under protest.
Section 117.12 \| Rules for audit standards, procedures, and guidelines. Effective: April 12, 2021 Latest Legislation: House Bill 450 - 133rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Any certified public accountant engaged to perform an audit pursuant to division (C) of section 117.11 of the Revised Code shall conduct the audit pursuant to the standards, procedures, and guidelines of the auditor of state for such audits. The auditor of state shall establish these standards, procedures, and guidelines by rule. The audit shall cover the period beginning with the termination date of the most recent audit conducted under this section or under section 117.11 of the Revised Code, and ending on the date specified by the auditor of state. The accountant shall inquire into the methods, accuracy, and legality of the accounts, records, files, and reports of the public office and shall note whether, in the accountant's opinion, the laws, rules, ordinances, and orders pertaining to the public office have been complied with. (B) The certified public accountant shall have no authority to make formal findings of illegality, malfeasance, or gross neglect under this section or section 117.23 of the Revised Code.
Section 117.13 \| Recovery of costs of audits of state agencies - public audit expense fund-intrastate - public audit expense fund-local government. Effective: September 30, 2021 Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The total costs of audits of state agencies, both direct and indirect, shall be recovered by the auditor of state in the following manner: (1) The total costs of all audits of state agencies, both direct and indirect, shall be paid to the auditor of state on statements rendered by the auditor of state. Money so received by the auditor of state shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the public audit expense fund--intrastate, which is hereby created, and shall be used to pay costs related to such audits. The costs of audits of a state agency shall be charged to the state agency being audited, unless otherwise determined by the auditor of state. The costs of any employee or expert employed pursuant to section 117.09 of the Revised Code called upon to testify in any legal proceedings in regard to any audit, or called upon to review or discuss any matter related to any audit, may be charged to the state agency to which the audit relates. (2) The auditor of state shall determine and publish annually rates to be charged to state agencies for recovering the costs of audits of state agencies. The rates shall take into consideration federal cost recovery guidelines. (B) As used in this division, "government auditing standards" means the government auditing standards published by the comptroller general of the United States general accounting office. (1) Except as provided in divisions (B)(2) and (3) of this section, any costs of an audit of a private institution, association, board, or corporation receiving public money for its use shall be charged to the public office providing the public money in the same manner as costs of an audit of the public office. (2) If an audit of a private child placing agency or private noncustodial agency receiving public money from a public children services agency for providing child welfare or child protection services sets forth that money has been illegally expended, converted, misappropriated, or is unaccounted for, the costs of the audit shall be charged to the agency being audited in the same manner as costs of an audit of a public office, unless the findings are inconsequential, as defined by government auditing standards. (3) If such an audit does not set forth that money has been illegally expended, converted, misappropriated, or is unaccounted for or sets forth findings that are inconsequential, as defined by government auditing standards, the costs of the audit shall be charged as follows: (a) One-third of the costs to the agency being audited; (b) One-third of the costs to the public children services agency that provided the public money to the agency being audited; (c) One-third of the costs to the department of job and family services. (C) The total costs of audits of local public offices, both direct and indirect, shall be recovered by the auditor of state in the following manner: (1) The total costs of all audits of local public offices, both direct and indirect, shall be paid to the auditor of state on statements rendered by the auditor of state. Money so received by the auditor of state shall be paid into the state treasury to the credit of the public audit expense fund-local government, which is hereby created, and shall be used to pay costs related to such audits. The costs of audits of a local public office shall be charged to the local public office being audited, unless otherwise determined by the auditor of state. The charges billed to the local public office for the cost of audits performed shall be offset subject to the availability of resources from the local government audit support fund created under section 117.131 of the Revised Code, the general revenue fund, or other state sources provided to the auditor of state for such purposes. The auditor of state shall establish the manner in which the offset shall be determined. The costs of any employee or expert employed pursuant to section 117.09 of the Revised Code called upon to testify in any legal proceedings in regard to any audit, or called upon to review or discuss any matter related to any audit, may be charged to the public office to which the audit relates. (2) At the conclusion of each audit, or analysis and report made pursuant to section 117.24 of the Revised Code, the fiscal officer of the local public office audited may allocate the charges billed for the cost of the audit, or of the audit and the analysis and report to appropriate funds using a methodology that follows guidance provided by the auditor of state. (3) The auditor of state shall provide each local public office a statement or certification of the amount due from the public office for services performed by the auditor of state under this or any other section of the Revised Code, as well as the date upon which payment is due to the auditor of state. The auditor of state is authorized to negotiate with any local public office and, upon agreement between the auditor of state and the local public office, may adopt a schedule for payment of the amount due under this section. Any local public office that does not pay the amount due to the auditor of state by that date may be assessed by the auditor of state for interest from the date upon which the payment is due at the rate per annum prescribed by section 5703.47 of the Revised Code. All interest charges assessed by the auditor of state may be collected in the same manner as audit costs pursuant to division (D) of this section. (4) The auditor of state shall determine and publish annually rates to be charged to local public offices for recovering the costs of audits of local public offices. (D) If the auditor of state fails to receive payment for any amount due, including, but not limited to, fines, fees, and costs, from a public office for services performed under this or any other section of the Revised Code, the auditor of state may seek payment through the office of budget and management. (Amounts due include any amount due to an independent public accountant with whom the auditor has contracted to perform services, all costs and fees associated with participation in the uniform accounting network, and all costs associated with the auditor's provision of local government services.) Upon certification by the auditor of state to the director of budget and management of any such amount due, the director shall withhold from the public office any amount available, up to and including the amount certified as due, from any funds under the director's control that belong to or are lawfully payable or due to the public office. The director shall promptly pay the amount withheld to the auditor of state. If the director determines that no funds due and payable to the public office are available or that insufficient amounts of such funds are available to cover the amount due, the director shall withhold and pay to the auditor of state the amounts available and, in the case of a local public office, certify the remaining amount to the county auditor of the county in which the local public office is located. The county auditor shall withhold from the local public office any amount available, up to and including the amount certified as due, from any funds under the county auditor's control and belonging to or lawfully payable or due to the local public office. The county auditor shall promptly pay any such amount withheld to the auditor of state. Last updated August 9, 2021 at 3:40 PM
Section 117.131 \| Local government audit support fund. Effective: October 17, 2019 Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF There is hereby created in the state treasury the local government audit support fund. The fund shall consist of revenue credited pursuant to section 131.511 of the Revised Code and any other revenue as provided by law. The appropriation for the fund shall remain at the amount designated by the general assembly. The controlling board shall not authorize additional spending from the fund in excess of any appropriation made by the general assembly. The auditor of state shall use the fund to support the cost of financial audits, performance audits, and other audits of local public offices performed pursuant to Chapter 117. of the Revised Code or as otherwise provided by law. The fund shall be used in a manner to be determined by the auditor of state to offset the audit costs that would otherwise be charged to local public offices in the absence of the fund.
Section 117.14 \| Annual audit of office of auditor. Effective: October 17, 2019 Latest Legislation: House Bill 166 - 133rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF An annual audit of the office of the auditor of state shall be made by an independent certified public accountant appointed by the governor and the chairpersons of the finance committees of the senate and the house of representatives, upon recommendation from a committee consisting of: (A) The governor or the governor's designee; (B) The chairperson of the finance committee of the senate or the chairperson's designee; (C) The chairperson of the finance committee of the house of representatives or the chairperson's designee. Not later than the thirty-first day of March immediately preceding the last day of the fiscal year to be audited, the governor and chairpersons shall make the appointment and prescribe the contract terms of the audit. On or before the fifteenth day of October, the accountant shall submit a report of the audit completed under this section for the immediately preceding fiscal year to each member of the committee. One copy of the audit report shall be filed with the state library for public inspection. The audit report is not a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code until it is filed with the state library. The records of the auditor of state shall be made available to the accountant. The office of budget and management shall provide staff services to the committee.
Section 117.15 \| Annual audit and inventory of state treasury and custodial funds. Effective: November 29, 1990 Latest Legislation: House Bill 820 - 118th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Once each year, or more often in his discretion, the auditor of state shall without previous notice audit the accounts and transactions of the office of the treasurer of state, ascertain the condition of the state treasury and the custodial funds of the treasurer of state, and make an inventory of the assets of the state treasury and the custodial funds of the treasurer of state. He shall sign his report and submit one copy each to the treasurer of state, governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. An audit report completed pursuant to this section is not a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code until it is submitted to the officers enumerated in this section.
Section 117.16 \| Force account project assessment form. Effective: June 30, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 23 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The auditor of state shall do all of the following: (1) Develop a force account project assessment form that each public office that undertakes force account projects shall use to estimate or report the cost of a force account project. The form shall include costs for employee salaries and benefits, any other labor costs, materials, freight, fuel, hauling, overhead expense, workers' compensation premiums, and all other items of cost and expense, including a reasonable allowance for the use of all tools and equipment used on or in connection with such work and for the depreciation on the tools and equipment. (2) Make the form available to public offices by any cost-effective, convenient method accessible to the auditor of state and the public offices; (3) When conducting an audit under this chapter of a public office that undertakes force account projects, examine the forms and records of a sampling of the force account projects the public office completed since an audit was last conducted, to determine compliance with its force account limits. (B) If the auditor of state receives a complaint from any person that a public office has violated the force account limits established for that office, the auditor of state may conduct an audit in addition to the audit provided in section 117.11 of the Revised Code if the auditor of state has reasonable cause to believe that an additional audit is in the public interest. (C)(1) If the auditor of state finds that a county, township, or municipal corporation violated the force account limits established for that political subdivision, the auditor of state, in addition to any other action authorized by this chapter, shall notify the political subdivision that, for a period of one year from the date of the notification, the force account limits for the subdivision are reduced as follows: (a) For a county, the limits shall be one-third of that county's force account limits for construction or reconstruction of a road and one-third of that county's force account limits for construction, reconstruction, maintenance, or repair of a bridge or culvert; (b) For a township, the limit shall be one-third of that township's force account limits for maintenance and repair of a road or one-third of that township's force account limits for construction or reconstruction of a township road; (c) For a municipal corporation, the limit shall be one-third of that municipal corporation's force account limits for the construction, reconstruction, widening, resurfacing, or repair of a street or other public way. (2) If the auditor of state finds that a county, township, or municipal corporation violated the force account limits established for that political subdivision a second or subsequent time, the auditor of state, in addition to any other action authorized by this chapter, shall notify the political subdivision that, for a period of two years from the date of the notification, the force account limits for the subdivision are reduced in accordance with division (C)(1)(a), (b), or (c) of this section. (3) If the auditor of state finds that a county, township, or municipal corporation violated the force account limits established for that political subdivision a third or subsequent time, the auditor of state shall certify to the tax commissioner an amount the auditor of state determines to be twenty per cent of the total cost of the force account project that is the basis of the violation. Upon receipt of this certification, the tax commissioner shall withhold the certified amount from any funds under the tax commissioner's control that are due or payable to that political subdivision. The tax commissioner shall promptly deposit this withheld amount to the credit of the local transportation improvement program fund created by section 164.14 of the Revised Code. If the tax commissioner determines that no funds are due and payable to the violating political subdivision or that insufficient amounts of such funds are available to cover the entire certified amount, the tax commissioner shall withhold and deposit to the credit of the local transportation improvement program fund any amount available and certify the remaining amount to be withheld to the county auditor of the county in which the political subdivision is located. The county auditor shall withhold from that political subdivision any amount, up to that certified by the tax commissioner, that is available from any funds under the county auditor's control, that is due or payable to that political subdivision, and that can be lawfully withheld. The county auditor shall promptly pay that withheld amount to the tax commissioner for deposit into the local transportation improvement program fund. The payments required under division (C)(3) of this section are in addition to the force account limit reductions described in division (C)(2) of this section and also are in addition to any other action authorized by this chapter. (D) If the auditor of state finds that a county, township, or municipal corporation violated its force account limits when participating in a joint force account project, the auditor of state shall impose the reduction in force account limits under division (C) of this section on all entities participating in the joint project. (E) As used in this section, "force account limits" means any of the following, as applicable: (1) For a county, the amounts established in section 5543.19 of the Revised Code; (2) For a township, the amounts established in section 5575.01 of the Revised Code; (3) For a municipal corporation, the amount established in section 723.52 of the Revised Code; (4) For the department of transportation, the amount established in section 5517.02 of the Revised Code. Last updated April 27, 2023 at 12:41 PM
Section 117.161 \| Joint force account project limits. Effective: June 30, 2003 Latest Legislation: House Bill 87 - 125th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF If the department of transportation, a county, a township, or a municipal corporation proposes a joint force account project with one or more other entities, the controlling force account limit shall be the higher limit that applies between the participating entities. The participating entities shall not aggregate their respective force account limits, and the share of each participating entity shall not exceed its respective force account limit. One of the participating entities shall complete the force account project assessment form developed by the auditor of state under section 117.16 of the Revised Code prior to proceeding by force account. The department of transportation and any county, township, or municipal corporation shall not proceed with a joint force account project if any one of the participating entities is subject to reduced force account limits under division (C) or (D) of section 117.16 of the Revised Code. As used in this section, "force account limits" has the same meaning as in section 117.16 of the Revised Code.
Section 117.17 \| Letter of representation by retiring head of state agency. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Before the head of a state agency leaves office, he shall prepare, in the form prescribed by the auditor of state, a letter of representation for his successor in office. The letter shall contain an inventory of all properties, supplies, furniture, credits, and moneys, and any other thing belonging to the state, which it is the duty of such official to turn over to his successor in office or pay into the state treasury. One copy of the letter shall be delivered to the official, one copy to his successor in office, one copy to the governor, one copy to the auditor of state, and one copy to the attorney general.
Section 117.171 \| Certificate of transition. Effective: April 12, 2021 Latest Legislation: House Bill 450 - 133rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Before a county treasurer or fiscal officer leaves office, the county treasurer or fiscal officer shall prepare a certificate of transition, in the form and substance prescribed by the auditor of state, for the successor county treasurer or fiscal officer. For a county auditor, the certificate shall contain an inventory of items delivered in accordance with section 319.27 of the Revised Code and other information prescribed by the auditor of state. For a county treasurer, the certificate shall contain an inventory of items delivered in accordance with section 321.06 of the Revised Code and any other information prescribed by the auditor of state. For a township fiscal officer, the certificate shall contain an inventory of items delivered in accordance with section 503.28 of the Revised Code and any other information prescribed by the auditor of state. For a treasurer of a board of education, the certificate shall contain an inventory of items delivered in accordance with section 3313.28 of the Revised Code and any other information prescribed by the auditor of state. For all other fiscal officers, the certificate shall contain an inventory of items, accounts, and any other information prescribed by the auditor of state. The county treasurer or fiscal officer shall sign the certificate. The certificate shall be considered certified by the county treasurer or fiscal officer and the signature of the county treasurer or fiscal officer on the certificate shall have the same effect as though made under oath. The county treasurer or fiscal officer shall retain one copy of the certificate and shall deliver one copy of the certificate to the successor county treasurer or fiscal officer. (B) The auditor of state may test the accuracy of any certificate of transition described in this section and may report discrepancies or findings as described in sections 117.28 and 117.29 of the Revised Code. (C) Before prescribing the inventory of items, accounts, and other information to be contained in the certificate of transition, the auditor of state shall solicit input from county treasurers and fiscal officers or from their affiliated groups. (D) As used in this section, "fiscal officer" has the meaning defined in division (D) of section 5705.01 of the Revised Code.
Section 117.18 \| Auditor and designated employee - powers. Effective: July 1, 2009 Latest Legislation: House Bill 525 - 127th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The auditor of state and any employee designated by the auditor of state may, in the performance of any audit, issue and serve subpoenas and compulsory process or direct service thereof by a sheriff or constable, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of records, administer oaths, and apply to a court of competent jurisdiction to punish for disobedience of subpoena, refusal to be sworn, refusal to answer as a witness, or refusal to produce records. Sheriffs and constables shall receive the same fees as for like services in similar cases. Witnesses shall receive the same fees and mileage as witnesses are provided under section 119.094 of the Revised Code. (B) The auditor of state and any employee designated by the auditor of state may exercise any authority granted by this section on behalf of any public accountant conducting an audit pursuant to this chapter when so requested.
Section 117.19 \| Rules for generally accepted or governmental auditing standards,. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall establish and define by rule generally accepted or governmental auditing standards, including procedures for post-audit conferences with officials of the public office audited.
Section 117.191 \| Audits of public children services agency, private child placing agency, or private noncustodial agency. Effective: October 5, 2000 Latest Legislation: House Bill 448 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When the auditor of state audits a public children services agency, private child placing agency, or private noncustodial agency, all of the following shall apply: (A) On the request of the agency being audited, the auditing team shall consult with a representative of a national nonprofit organization with expertise in child welfare issues and the cost of the consultation shall be included in the cost of the audit; (B) The audit shall focus on fiscal accountability rather than clinical decision making; (C) The auditor of state shall comply with generally accepted government auditing standards when conducting the audit.
Section 117.20 \| Rule making procedure. Effective: September 29, 2013 Latest Legislation: House Bill 59, Senate Bill 67 - 130th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) In adopting rules pursuant to Chapter 117. of the Revised Code, the auditor of state or the auditor of state's designee shall do both of the following: (1) Before adopting any such rule, except a rule of an emergency nature, do each of the following: (a) At least thirty-five days before any public hearing on the proposed rule-making action, mail or send by electronic mail notice of the hearing to each public office and to each statewide organization that the auditor of state or designee determines will be affected or that represents persons who will be affected by the proposed rule-making action; (b) Mail or send by electronic mail a copy of the proposed rule to any person or organization that requests a copy within five days after receipt of the request; (c) Consult with appropriate state and local government agencies, or with persons representative of their interests, including statewide organizations of local government officials, and consult with accounting professionals and other interested persons; (d) Conduct, on the date and at the time and place designated in the notice, a public hearing at which any person affected by the proposed rule, including statewide organizations of local government officials, may appear and be heard in person, by attorney, or both, and may present the person's or organization's position or contentions orally or in writing. (2) Comply with section 111.15 of the Revised Code. (B) The auditor of state shall diligently discharge the duties imposed by divisions (A)(1)(a), (b), and (c) of this section, but failure to mail or send by electronic mail any notice or copy of a proposed rule, or to consult with any person or organization, shall not invalidate any rule. (C) Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Revised Code, the auditor of state may prepare and disseminate, to public offices and other interested persons and organizations, advisory bulletins, directives, and instructions relating to accounting and financial reporting systems, budgeting procedures, fiscal controls, and the constructions by the auditor of state of constitutional and statutory provisions, court decisions, and opinions of the attorney general. The bulletins, directives, and instructions shall be of an advisory nature only. (D) As used in this section, "rule" includes the adoption, amendment, or rescission of a rule. The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.
Section 117.21 \| Retention of audit materials. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall have access to all work papers, documents, and materials prepared by a public accountant in the course of his audit of a public office. The work papers, documents, and materials shall be retained by the public accountant for a period of three years from the release date of the audit report of the auditor of state, except as otherwise specified by the auditor of state.
Section 117.22 \| Request for assistance. Effective: September 30, 2021 Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The public accountant conducting an audit under this chapter may request the auditor of state, the chief deputy auditor of state, or an auditor or investigator of the auditor of state, to exercise any authority granted under section 117.18 of the Revised Code for the purpose of assisting in the conduct of the audit. Last updated August 9, 2021 at 3:40 PM
Section 117.23 \| Report of public accountant. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The report of a public office that is prepared by a public accountant shall be made and signed by the accountant in charge of the audit and filed in the offices of the auditor of state.
Section 117.24 \| Analyzing report of public accountant. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall analyze the report of the public accountant who has audited a public office to determine whether any public money has been illegally expended, any public money collected has not been accounted for, any public money due has not been collected, or any public property has been converted or misappropriated. In addition, the auditor of state or his appointee shall determine whether there has been any malfeasance or gross neglect of duty on the part of any officer or employee of the public office.
Section 117.25 \| Incorporating report of public accountant and results of auditor's analysis. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall incorporate the report of the public accountant and the results of the analysis performed pursuant to section 117.24 of the Revised Code in a report which shall constitute an audit report for purposes of this chapter.
Section 117.251 \| Notation of investments in eligible depositories. Effective: August 6, 2004 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 102 - 125th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When applicable, the auditor of state shall make a notation on the audit report prepared under section 117.25 of the Revised Code for any county treasurer's office, that the county treasurer invested at least ten per cent of the county's money in eligible institutions as described in Chapter 135. of the Revised Code, located within the county during the previous fiscal year.
Section 117.26 \| Certified copies of completed audit reports. Effective: November 29, 1990 Latest Legislation: House Bill 820 - 118th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Certified copies of completed audit reports shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the legislative authority, clerk of the governing body, executive officer of the governing body, and chief fiscal officer of the audited public office. Except as otherwise provided in sections 117.14 and 117.15 of the Revised Code, an audit report is not a public record under section 149.43 of the Revised Code until copies of the report are filed with the officers enumerated in this section.
Section 117.27 \| Filing certified copy with legal counsel. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF A certified copy of the audit report referred to in section 117.26 of the Revised Code shall be filed with the officer required by state law, municipal or county charter, or municipal ordinance to act as legal counsel to the officers of the public office. If no officer is required by state law, municipal or county charter, or municipal ordinance to act as legal counsel, a copy shall be filed with the prosecuting attorney of the county within which the fiscal office of the public office is located.
Section 117.28 \| Report of audit and actions thereon. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Where an audit report sets forth that any public money has been illegally expended, or that any public money collected has not been accounted for, or that any public money due has not been collected, or that any public property has been converted or misappropriated, the officer receiving the certified copy of the report pursuant to section 117.27 of the Revised Code may, within one hundred twenty days after receiving the report, institute civil action in the proper court in the name of the public office to which the public money is due or the public property belongs for the recovery of the money or property and prosecute the action to final determination. The auditor of state shall notify the attorney general in writing of every audit report which sets forth that any public money has been illegally expended, or that any public money collected has not been accounted for, or that any public money due has not been collected, or that any public property has been converted or misappropriated and of the date that the report was filed. Within one hundred twenty days after receiving the certified copy of the report, the officer receiving the report shall notify the attorney general in writing of whether any legal action has been taken. If no legal action has been taken, the officer shall, within the same period, notify the attorney general in writing of the reason why legal action has not been taken. The attorney general or his assistant may appear in any such action on behalf of the public office and may, either in conjunction with or independent of the officer receiving the report, prosecute an action to final determination. The attorney general may bring the action in any case where the officer fails to do so within one hundred twenty days after the audit report has been filed.
Section 117.29 \| Audit report showing malfeasance or gross neglect of duty. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Where an audit report sets forth any malfeasance or gross neglect of duty on the part of any public official for which a criminal penalty is provided, a certified copy of the report shall be filed with the prosecuting attorney of the county in which the offense is committed, and the prosecuting attorney shall, within one hundred twenty days, institute criminal proceedings against the public official.
Section 117.30 \| Attorney general action. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Where an audit report made of any office of an officer receiving a report pursuant to section 117.27 of the Revised Code sets forth that public money has been illegally expended, or that any public money collected has not been accounted for, or that any public money due has not been collected, or that any public property has been converted or misappropriated, a certified copy of the report shall be filed with the attorney general. Within one hundred twenty days after receiving the copy, the attorney general may institute appropriate legal action in the proper court on behalf of the public office.
Section 117.31 \| Illegal expenditures in attorney general's office. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Where an audit report made of the office of the attorney general sets forth that public money has been illegally expended, or that any public money collected has not been accounted for, or that public money due, except claims certified for collection, has not been collected, or that any public property has been converted or misappropriated, a certified copy of the report shall be filed with the governor, who shall promptly retain legal counsel to institute civil action in the proper court in the name of the state for the recovery of the money or property and prosecute the action to final determination.
Section 117.32 \| Surety may be sued in same action. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF In addition to the liability of any officer or employee for which he may be sued under this chapter, the surety on any official bond given by an officer or employee is liable on his bond up to the amount named therein. The surety may be sued in the same action in which the principal is sued, and this chapter applies with equal force to the surety as to the principal.
Section 117.33 \| Abating or compromising claims. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No claim for money or other property found to be due to any public treasury or custodian of public money in any report of the auditor of state, other than a report as described in section 117.31 of the Revised Code, shall be abated or compromised, either before or after the filing of civil action, by any legislative or executive action or by order of any court unless the attorney general gives his written approval .
Section 117.34 \| Cause of action accrues when report filed. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No cause of action on any matter set forth in any report of the auditor of state made under this chapter shall accrue until the report is filed with the officer or legal counsel whose duty it is to institute civil actions for enforcement. No statutes of limitations otherwise applicable to the cause of action shall begin to run until the date of filing. Once a report is submitted to the attorney general under this chapter, the amount payable shall be a final, certified claim under section 131.02 of the Revised Code. The amount payable may be satisfied under the process provided in section 5747.12 of the Revised Code. Last updated September 6, 2023 at 4:02 PM
Section 117.35 \| Submission of judgment entry to attorney general. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF No judgment or final order shall be entered in a civil action commenced under this chapter, other than a civil action instituted pursuant to section 117.31 of the Revised Code, until the entry is submitted to the attorney general. The attorney general is hereby constituted an attorney of record in each action.
Section 117.36 \| Jurisdiction of civil actions. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The civil actions provided for in this chapter may be entertained, heard, and determined by any court having jurisdiction of the amount involved or having jurisdiction to afford the remedy prayed for, notwithstanding the absence of any other law authorizing such civil actions to be filed by the governor, the attorney general, or the officer receiving a report pursuant to section 117.27 of the Revised Code. In any action it is sufficient for the plaintiff to allege in the petition so much of the factual information contained in the report of the auditor of state as relates to the claim or action against the defendant therein and that the amount claimed against the defendant is unpaid. The plaintiff is not required to state separately and number in his petition any separate causes of action, or the factual findings of the report, upon whatever claims or circumstances based, since they are deemed to constitute a single cause of action; nor is he required to set forth any other or further factual matter relating to his claim or action. A certified copy of any portion of the report containing factual information is prima-facie evidence in determining the truth of the allegations of the petition.
Section 117.37 \| Advancement of causes. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF On application of the plaintiff, the court in which an action authorized by this chapter is pending shall advance the cause on the docket.
Section 117.38 \| Annual reports. Effective: November 2, 2018 Latest Legislation: House Bill 312 - 132nd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Each public office, other than a state agency, shall file a financial report for each fiscal year. The auditor of state may prescribe forms by rule or may issue guidelines, or both, for such reports. If the auditor of state has not prescribed a rule regarding the form for the report, the public office shall submit its report on the form utilized by the public office. (B) The report shall be certified by the proper officer or board and filed with the auditor of state within sixty days after the close of the fiscal year, except that public offices reporting pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles shall file their reports within one hundred fifty days after the close of the fiscal year. The auditor of state may extend the deadline for filing a financial report and establish terms and conditions for any such extension. At the time the report is filed with the auditor of state, the chief fiscal officer, except as otherwise provided in section 319.11 of the Revised Code, shall publish notice in a newspaper published in the political subdivision or taxing district, and if there is no such newspaper, then in a newspaper of general circulation in the political subdivision or taxing district. The notice shall state that the financial report has been completed by the public office and is available for public inspection at the office of the chief fiscal officer. (C) The report shall contain the following: (1) Amount of collections and receipts, and accounts due from each source; (2) Amount of expenditures for each purpose; (3) Income of each public service industry owned or operated by a municipal corporation, and the cost of such ownership or operation; (4) Amount of public debt of each taxing district, the purpose for which each item of such debt was created, and the provision made for the payment thereof. (D) Any public office, other than a state agency, that does not file its financial report at the time required by this section shall pay to the auditor of state twenty-five dollars for each day the report remains unfiled after the filing date; provided, that the penalty payments shall not exceed the sum of seven hundred fifty dollars. The auditor of state may waive all or any part of the penalty assessed under this section upon the filing of the past due financial report. All sums collected from such penalties shall be placed in the public audit expense fund--local government. If the auditor of state fails to receive payment for penalties not paid within one year from the required filing date, the auditor may recover the penalties through the process in division (D) of section 117.13 of the Revised Code. (E) Every county agency, board, or commission shall provide to the county auditor, not later than the first day of March each year unless a later date is authorized by the county auditor, all information determined by the county auditor to be necessary for the preparation of the report required by this section. (F) The auditor of state shall publish the substance of the report submitted under this section in an electronic format that is available to the public.
Section 117.39 \| Financial reports from any public office. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state may require financial reports from any public office showing the condition of all appropriation accounts, the money actually in the treasury to the credit of each fund or account, and any other information he considers proper.
Section 117.40 \| Refusal to keep accounts. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF A public official of a public office, other than a state agency, who knowingly refuses to keep the accounts of his office as prescribed by this chapter or rules adopted by the auditor of state pursuant thereto, or to make the reports required by the auditor of state, may be removed from office on hearing before the court of common pleas in the county in which the office is located. Action for removal may be brought by the attorney general at the request of the auditor of state.
Section 117.41 \| Unauditable offices. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF If the auditor of state or a public accountant auditing a public office determines that the office cannot be audited because its accounts, records, files, or reports have been improperly maintained, the person making the determination may declare the public office to be unauditable. A public office declared to be unauditable shall follow the procedures established by the auditor of state to bring its accounts, records, files, or reports into an auditable condition. If the public office fails to make reasonable efforts and continuing progress to bring its accounts, records, files, or reports into an auditable condition within ninety days after being declared unauditable, the auditor of state shall request legal action pursuant to section 117.42 of the Revised Code to compel the public office to bring its accounts, records, files, or reports into an auditable condition.
Section 117.42 \| Enforcement powers of attorney general. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Upon request of the auditor of state, the attorney general may file and prosecute to judgment or decree appropriate actions to prevent the unlawful expenditures of public funds, cancel contracts not made in compliance with law, enforce liabilities arising from false certifications or failure to furnish financial reports, secure compliance with this chapter, secure compliance with fiscal, accounting, or budgeting requirements, opinions, or adjustments made in an audit report, secure compliance with the laws, ordinances, rules, and orders pertaining to any public office, and enforce generally the laws relating to the expenditure of public funds. All sums collected as a result of any action taken under this chapter shall be placed in the treasury of the appropriate public office.
Section 117.43 \| Rules for requirements for accounting and financial reporting for public offices other than state agencies. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The auditor of state may prescribe by rule, requirements for accounting and financial reporting for public offices other than state agencies. Rules adopted pursuant to this section may refer to publications of government agencies or private organizations recommending systems or standards to be followed in governmental accounting and financial reporting. (B) Except as otherwise provided in section 126.22 of the Revised Code or as otherwise provided by law, no state agency shall enter into a contract for auditing or accounting services without the approval of the auditor of state except with funds derived from nonpublic sources. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the legislative branch of government.
Section 117.431 \| Accounting of public money in possession of private institution. Effective: September 4, 2013 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 67 - 130th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Public money in the possession of any private institution, association, board, or corporation shall be accounted for separately and independently from its other funds and accounts. The auditor of state may adopt rules establishing the manner in which the public money shall be separately and independently accounted for.
Section 117.44 \| Training programs for township fiscal officers, city auditors and village clerks. Effective: December 20, 2005 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 107 - 126th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF To enhance local officials' background and working knowledge of government accounting, budgeting and financing, financial report preparation, and the rules adopted by the auditor of state, the auditor of state shall hold training programs for persons elected for the first time as township fiscal officers, city auditors, and village clerks, between the first day of December and the first day of April immediately following a general election for any of these offices. Similar training may also be provided to any township fiscal officer, city auditor, or village clerk who is appointed to fill a vacancy or who is elected in a special election. The auditor of state also shall develop and provide an annual training program of continuing education for village clerks. The auditor of state shall determine the manner, content, and length of the training programs after consultation with appropriate statewide organizations of local governmental officials. The auditor of state shall charge the political subdivisions that the trainees represent a registration fee that will meet actual and necessary expenses of the training, including instructor fees, site acquisition costs, and the cost of course materials. The necessary personal expenses incurred by the officials as a result of attending the training program shall be borne by the political subdivisions they represent. The auditor of state shall allow any other interested person to attend any of the training programs that the auditor of state holds pursuant to this section; provided, that before attending any such training program, the interested person shall pay to the auditor of state the full registration fee that the auditor of state has set for the training program. The auditor of state may provide any other appropriate training or educational programs that may be developed and offered by the auditor of state or in collaboration with one or more other state agencies, political subdivisions, or other public or private entities. There is hereby established in the state treasury the auditor of state training program fund, to be used by the auditor of state for the actual and necessary expenses of any training programs held pursuant to this section, section 117.441, or section 321.46 of the Revised Code. All registration fees collected under this section shall be paid into the fund.
Section 117.441 \| Fiduciary training programs. Effective: September 29, 1999 Latest Legislation: House Bill 283 - 123rd General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall conduct a fiduciary training program for members and employees of state boards and commissions. The program shall be offered at least annually. The auditor of state shall determine the manner and content of the program and may charge a registration fee to defray the actual and necessary expenses of the program. Members and employees of state boards and commissions may attend the fiduciary training program offered under this section. If a registration fee is charged for the program, the auditor of state shall deposit it into the auditor of state training program fund established under section 117.44 of the Revised Code.
Section 117.45 \| Format for sworn affidavit. Effective: March 23, 2015 Latest Legislation: House Bill 10 - 130th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall establish by rule the format for submitting a sworn affidavit and supporting evidence under sections 319.26, 321.37, 507.13, and 733.78 of the Revised Code.
Section 117.46 \| Performance audits of state agencies. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Each biennium the auditor of state shall conduct a minimum of four performance audits under this section. Except as otherwise provided in this section, at least two of the audits shall be of state agencies selected from a list comprised of the administrative departments listed in section 121.02 of the Revised Code and the department of education and workforce and at least two of the audits shall be of other state agencies. At the auditor of state's discretion, the auditor of state may also conduct performance audits of state institutions of higher education. The offices of the attorney general, auditor of state, governor, secretary of state, and treasurer of state and agencies of the legislative and judicial branches are not subject to an audit under this section. The auditor shall select each agency or institution to be audited and shall determine whether to audit the entire agency or institution or a portion of the agency or institution by auditing one or more programs, offices, boards, councils, or other entities within that agency or institution. The auditor shall make the selection and determination in consultation with the governor and the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives and president and minority leader of the senate. An audit of a portion of an agency or institution shall be considered an audit of one agency or institution. The authority to audit a portion of an agency or institution in no way limits the auditor's ability to audit an entire agency or institution if it is in the best interest of the state. The performance audits under this section shall be conducted pursuant to sections 117.01 and 117.13 of the Revised Code. In conducting a performance audit, the auditor of state shall determine the scope of the audit, but shall consider, if appropriate, supervisory and subordinate level operations in the agency or institution. A performance audit under this section shall not include review or evaluation of an institution's academic performance. As used in this section and in sections 117.461, 117.462, 117.463, and 117.47 of the Revised Code, "state institution of higher education" has the meaning defined in section 3345.011 of the Revised Code. Last updated September 20, 2023 at 12:15 PM
Section 117.461 \| Comment period. Effective: April 5, 2017 Latest Legislation: House Bill 384 - 131st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF Every state agency or state institution of higher education audited pursuant to section 117.46 of the Revised Code shall accept comments regarding the performance audit from interested parties. The comment period shall begin on the day following the release date of the audit and shall conclude at the end of the fourteenth day following the release date. The agency or institution shall make all comments available to the public on the twenty-first day following the release date of the audit. The agency or institution shall determine how to accept comments under this section.
Section 117.462 \| Implementation of recommendations. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Not later than two months after the end of the comment period for the audit, a state agency or state institution of higher education shall develop an implementation plan for the recommendations of a performance audit conducted pursuant to section 117.46 of the Revised Code. (B) If an agency or institution does not commence implementation of such recommendations within four months after the end of the comment period for the audit, the agency or institution shall do both of the following: (1) File a report explaining why the agency or institution has not commenced implementation of the recommendations with the governor, auditor of state, speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives, and president and minority leader of the senate; (2) Request an opportunity to provide testimony explaining why the agency or institution has not commenced implementation of the recommendations to the house of representatives and senate committees dealing primarily with the programs and activities of the agency or institution. (C) Comments submitted to the agency or institution under section 117.461 of the Revised Code shall be attached to the report required by division (B)(1) of this section. (D) If an agency or institution does not fully implement an audit recommendation within one year after the end of the comment period for the audit, the agency or institution shall file a report with the auditor and with the governor or the governing authority of the agency or institution, justifying why the recommendation has not or will not be implemented. After consideration of this report, the agency director or the governing authority shall submit a letter in writing to the auditor, the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives, and the president and minority leader of the senate outlining the status and plan for the implementation of the recommendations. Last updated September 6, 2023 at 4:04 PM
Section 117.463 \| Annual report. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) The auditor of state shall annually submit a report in writing to the governor, the speaker and minority leader of the house of representatives, and the president and minority leader of the senate containing all of the following: (1) The progress state agencies or state institutions of higher education have made in implementing the recommendations contained in recent performance audits; (2) The amount of money saved as a result of the implementation; (3) Other operational and programmatic improvements or efficiencies that have been achieved as a result of the implementation. (B) The auditor of state shall establish a process for obtaining the information required for the report. Submissions from agencies and institutions intended for inclusion in this annual report shall not substitute the requirements of section 117.462 of the Revised Code. (C) The report shall be submitted no later than the first day of November of each year. Last updated September 6, 2023 at 4:07 PM
Section 117.47 \| Auditor's innovation fund. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF There is hereby created in the state treasury the auditor's innovation fund. The auditor of state may use the fund for innovative audit, accounting, or local government assistance services that improve the quality or increase the range of services offered to local governments and school districts. The fund shall consist of money appropriated to it. Last updated October 23, 2023 at 1:37 PM
Section 117.473 \| Feasibility studies to determine efficiency or cost savings realized by sharing services or facilities. Effective: October 3, 2023 Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF A state agency or local public office may request that the auditor of state conduct a feasibility study to determine if greater efficiency or cost savings could be realized by the state agency or local public office sharing services or facilities with other state agencies or local public offices. In the request, the requesting state agency or local public office shall identify for the auditor of state the specific state agencies or local public offices that may be included within the proposed plan for sharing services or facilities. The auditor of state may proceed with a requested feasibility study at the discretion of the auditor of state. The auditor of state shall provide written notification to each state agency and local public office that is identified in a request. The auditor of state may review only those identified state agencies or local public offices that do not opt out. To opt out, a state agency or local public office shall provide an opt out notice to the auditor of state within sixty days of the date on which the auditor's notification to the state agency or local public office is postmarked. If a state agency or local public office opts out of a requested feasibility study, the auditor of state, at the auditor's discretion, may cancel the feasibility study or may proceed to conduct the feasibility study considering only the identified state agencies and local public offices that have not opted out. Not later than ten days before commencing a feasibility study requested under this section, the auditor of state shall provide written notice to the requesting state agency or local public office, and any other state agency or local public office that consented to being reviewed, of the date the study will be commenced. The auditor of state shall pay the costs incurred by the auditor or the auditing team in conducting feasibility studies under this section. Not later than one hundred eighty days after completing a feasibility study, the auditor of state shall conduct a public hearing on the feasibility study findings. Not later than ten days before the date of the public hearing, the auditor shall give notice of the date, time, and location of the public hearing in writing to the state agency or local public office that requested the feasibility study, to any other state agency or local public office that consented to being reviewed, and on the auditor's web site. Last updated September 6, 2023 at 4:10 PM
Section 117.48 \| Shared equipment service agreement program. Effective: September 14, 2016 Latest Legislation: House Bill 5 - 131st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As used in this section, "governmental function," "political subdivision," and "proprietary function" have the same meanings as in section 2744.01 of the Revised Code. (B) The auditor of state may establish a shared equipment service agreement program in which state agencies and political subdivisions may voluntarily participate. Under the program, a state agency or political subdivision may voluntarily enter into an agreement with another state agency or political subdivision to provide for the contracting lender state agency or political subdivision to lend its capital equipment to the contracting recipient state agency or political subdivision for temporary use in the recipient's performance of a governmental function or proprietary function. (C) Sections 2743.31 and 2744.11 of the Revised Code apply if the auditor of state establishes a shared equipment service agreement program under division (B) of this section.
Section 117.51 \| Custodian of public land records. Effective: July 1, 1985 Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 116th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall be the custodian of the field notes, maps, records, documents, papers, and implements relating to or used in the survey of the public lands within the state, which were delivered to the executive of this state by the surveyor of the United States at Detroit, by order of the government of the United States, the records of field notes and other records of papers which have been added thereto, the records of deeds and other records or papers relating to the public lands originally deposited with the governor or secretary of state, and the records, maps, plats, papers, documents, and implements relating to the public lands in the Virginia military district in this state, from the United States land office at Chillicothe. These records and files shall be subject to inspection, and the auditor of state, on demand and tender of the proper fees, shall furnish copies of any of them, certified under his official seal.
Section 117.52 \| Adjusting amount recoverable for wrongful imprisonment. Effective: April 9, 2003 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 149 - 124th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF The auditor of state shall make the adjustment, as described in section 2743.49 of the Revised Code, of the amount that a wrongfully imprisoned individual, in an action brought in the court of claims pursuant to section 2743.48 of the Revised Code, may receive for each full year or part of a year of imprisonment and shall perform all of the functions relating to that adjustment as specified in section 2743.49 of the Revised Code.
Section 117.53 \| Audit statement regarding adoption of anti-harassment policy. Effective: March 30, 2007 Latest Legislation: House Bill 276 - 126th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF When conducting an audit under section 117.11 of the Revised Code of a city, local, exempted village, or joint vocational school district, or a community school established under Chapter 3314. of the Revised Code, the auditor of state shall identify whether the school district or community school has adopted an anti-harassment policy in accordance with section 3313.666 of the Revised Code. This determination shall be recorded in the audit report. The auditor of state shall not prescribe the content or operation of any anti-harassment policy adopted by a school district or community school.
Section 117.54 \| Auditor of state investigation and forfeiture trust fund. Effective: September 29, 2015 Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF There is in the state treasury the auditor of state investigation and forfeiture trust fund. The fund shall consist of moneys received under sections 2981.13 and 2981.14 and division (B)(3) of section 2923.32 of the Revised Code, and the auditor of state shall use those moneys in accordance with those sections. Interest earned on moneys in the fund shall be credited to the fund.
Section 117.55 \| State awards for economic development. Effective: September 30, 2021 Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) As used in this section: (1) "Entity" means, whether for profit or nonprofit, a corporation, association, partnership, limited liability company, sole proprietorship, or other business entity. "Entity" does not include an individual who receives state assistance that is not related to the individual's business. (2) "State award for economic development" means state financial assistance and expenditure in any of the following forms: grants, subgrants, loans, awards, cooperative agreements, or other similar and related forms of financial assistance and contracts, subcontracts, purchase orders, task orders, delivery orders, or other similar and related transactions. It does not include compensation received as an employee of the state or any state financial assistance and expenditure received from the general assembly or any legislative agency, any court or judicial agency, or from the offices of the attorney general, the secretary of state, the auditor of state, or the treasurer of state. (B) Not later than thirty days after the end of the state fiscal year, the department of development shall send the auditor of state a list of state awards for economic development. The auditor of state shall review each award and determine if an entity is in compliance with the terms and conditions, including performance metrics, of a state award for economic development received by that entity. (C) The auditor of state shall publish a report of its reviews and determinations not later than ninety days after receipt of the list of state awards from the department of development. (D) When the auditor of state finds that an entity that receives or has received a state award for economic development is not in compliance with a performance metric that is specified in the terms and conditions of the award, the auditor of state shall report the findings to the attorney general. The attorney general may pursue against and from that entity such remedies and recoveries as are available under law. (E) If the auditor of state is authorized to conduct an audit of an entity that receives or has received a state award for economic development, the audit shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 117. of the Revised Code. Last updated September 9, 2021 at 11:47 AM