Accounts and Audit

(1) The accounts of the Gram Panchayats, Mandal Praja Parishad and Zilla Praja Parishad shall be maintained in such manner and in such form as may be prescribed. The accounts maintained by the said local bodies shall be audited by the Director of State Audit appointed under section 3 of the Andhra Pradesh State Audit Act, 1989 (Act 9 of 1989). (2) For the purpose of proper maintenance of accounts and matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, it shall be competent for the Director of State Audit to issue such directions as he deems necessary to the Chief Executive Authority, who shall ensure that the said directions are carried out by the said local bodies. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), every local body shall engage Chartered Accountants from out of the panels of Chartered Accountants made by the Director of State Audit to get audited of the accounts maintained under sub-section (1) and for speedy finalisation of their accounts: Provided that every Sarpanch of a Gram Panchayat shall have to close the accounts of the Gram Panchayat and get them audited before the end of third quarter of the succeeding financial year.