§ 953. Independent audits of the executive chamber and the division of the budget. 1. At least once every three years, the independent certified public accountant or accountants selected pursuant to this section shall conduct audits of the internal controls of the executive chamber and the division of the budget, either as a single audit or separately. Such audits shall be performed in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards and shall include a report on whether the executive chamber and division of the budget's internal controls are established and functioning in a manner that provides reasonable assurance that they meet the objectives of internal control as defined in section nine hundred fifty of this article. The report shall identify the internal controls both evaluated and not evaluated and shall identify internal control weaknesses that have not been corrected and actions that are recommended to correct these weaknesses. If any such internal control weaknesses are significant or material with respect to the entity, the independent auditor shall so state. The governor and the director of the budget shall make available to the public the results of such audits, including any related management letters. The governor and director of the budget and any officer or employee of the executive chamber and the division of the budget shall make available upon request to such independent certified public accountants all books and records relevant to such independent audits.

2. The governor and the director of the budget, either separately or jointly, shall request proposals from independent certified public accountants for audits of the internal controls of the executive chamber and the division of the budget. The requests for proposals shall include a reference to the requirements for audits conducted pursuant to subdivision one of this section. The governor and the director of the budget shall select such independent auditor or auditors in accordance with a competitive procedure including an evaluation, based on quality and price factors, of those proposals received in response to such requests for proposals.