(1) In a county of the first class, in addition to the requirements described in Section 17-66-201, an individual filing a declaration of candidacy for the office of county auditor, an individual elected to the office of county auditor, or an interim replacement appointed under Subsection 20A-1-508(3), shall have one or more of the following professional certifications active and in good standing:
(a) certified public accountant;
(b) certified internal auditor;
(c) certified fraud examiner;
(d) certified management accountant; or
(e) certified information systems auditor.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to any other position within an auditor's office, except that a chief deputy or other individual filling the vacancy of an elected auditor in a county of the first class may not be appointed as an interim replacement under Subsection 20A-1-508(3) unless the individual meets the qualifications of Subsection (1) and Section 17-66-201.