The department shall be audited by a certified public accountant or firm of certified public accountants once each year to be designated by the State Auditor. The department may undergo an Agreed Upon Procedures audit in lieu of having audited financial statements. The audit shall be in coordination with the State Auditor’s Office and will be in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and must comprise all financial records and controls. The audit must be completed by November first following the close of the fiscal year. The costs and expenses of the audit must be paid by the department out of its funds.