In 1997, the GFOA, a professional association that promotes financial management of state and local governments, recommended that governmental units establish audit committees or the equivalent (GFOA 2008). In 2002, 2006, and 2008, the GFOA refined these recommendations to be more consistent with corporate sector requirements in terms of audit committee size, independence, and financial knowledge (GFOA 2008). Although the GFOA continues to recommend that municipalities establish audit committees, formation continues to be voluntary. Typically stated functions of government audit committees include overseeing the financial reporting process, monitoring internal controls, and interacting with independent auditors (GFOA 2008).