Cal. Gov't Code § 26945 — Qualifications for Office

A person shall not be elected or appointed to the office of county auditor of any county unless the person meets at least one of the following criteria:

(a) The person possesses a valid and active certificate issued by the California Board of Accountancy under Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 5000) of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code showing the person to be, and a permit authorizing the person to practice as, a certified public accountant.

(b) The person possesses a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university, college, or other four-year institution, with a major in accounting, as described in subdivision (a) of Section 5081.1 of the Business and Professions Code, as that section read on December 31, 2009, or a business-related degree that includes at least 24 semester units, or equivalent quarter units, in accounting-related subjects, including, but not limited to, accounting, financial reporting, auditing, and taxation, and has served within the last five years in a senior fiscal management position in a county, city, or other public agency, or a nonprofit organization, dealing with similar fiscal responsibilities, including, but not limited to, public accounting or auditing responsibilities, for a continuous period of not less than three years.

(c) The person has served as county auditor, chief deputy county auditor, or assistant county auditor, or an equivalent position for a continuous period of not less than three years.