The Auditor may, on the Auditor's own initiative and as often as the Auditor deems necessary, or as requested by the General Assembly or the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on General Government, cause to be made a quality review audit of the operations of the Auditor's office. Such a "peer review" shall be conducted in accordance with standards prescribed by the accounting profession. Upon the recommendation of the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations, the Auditor may contract with an independent public accountant, qualified management consultant, or other professional person to conduct a financial and compliance, economy and efficiency, and program result audit of the State Auditor.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 147-64.11