HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 2

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first special session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Dennis J. Roch

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE AUDITOR TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNOR TO ALLOW STATE AGENCIES TO SEEK PRO BONO AUDITING SERVICES.

     WHEREAS, each state agency must pay for the costs of complying with the state's auditing requirements; and

     WHEREAS, many state agencies, particularly school districts, have failed to comply with state audit requirements due to the excessive financial burden; and

     WHEREAS, a new multi-tiered auditing system was passed to assist state agencies in meeting state auditing requirements; and

     WHEREAS, larger state agencies plan in their budgets for the costs of auditing services; and

     WHEREAS, many qualified certified public accountants are willing to provide pro bono services to assist school districts and other state agencies to meet the state auditing requirements; and

     WHEREAS, many students working toward their master's in business administration or certification as public accountants are willing to assist certified public accountants to perform audits solely in exchange for the experience; and

     WHEREAS, pro bono auditing services will benefit the state through savings and benefit certified public accountants and students seeking a master's in business administration or certification as public accountants with experience in auditing state agencies; and

     WHEREAS, the state is in an unprecedented fiscal emergency;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it request the state auditor to work with the governor to allow state agencies to seek pro bono auditing services from certified public accountant associations, individual certified public accountants and students seeking a master's in business administration or certification as a public accountant; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the state auditor and the governor.

- 2 -