Appropriate financial and other records shall be kept on all transactions, which will show at all times activities planned, in progress and completed, the cost of each activity, the operational costs, and other such information as may be required to protect the public interest. An annual financial audit of the department shall be made by the comptroller of the treasury as provided by § 9-3-211. All records shall be open for public inspection during regular working hours. All audits performed by the internal audit staff of the department shall be conducted in accordance with the standards established by the comptroller of the treasury pursuant to § 4-3-304(9).