Every fiscal year, all State agencies and component units of the State, as defined by generally accepted accounting principles, shall prepare annual financial information on all funds administered by them no later than 60 days after the end of the State’s fiscal year then ended in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as described in authoritative pronouncements and interpreted or prescribed by the State Controller, and in the form and time frame required by the State Controller. The State Controller shall publish guidelines specifying the procedures to implement the necessary records, procedures, and accounting systems to reflect these statements on the proper basis of accounting.

Accordingly, the State Controller shall combine the financial information for the various agencies into a Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the State of North Carolina in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These statements, along with the opinion of the State Auditor, shall be published as the official financial statements of the State and shall be distributed to the Governor, the Office of State Budget and Management, members of the General Assembly, heads of departments, agencies, and institutions of the State, and other interested parties. The State Controller shall notify the Director of the Budget of any State agencies and component units of the State, as defined by generally accepted accounting principles, that have not complied fully with the requirements of this section within the specified time, and the Director of the Budget shall employ whatever means necessary, including the withholding of allotments, to ensure immediate corrective actions. (2006-66, s. 6.19(a); 2006-203, s. 9; 2006-221, s. 3A; 2006-259, s. 40(a).)