Section 23-8 - Assistance and staff(a) In the performance of the auditor's duties, the auditor may employ the services of one or more certified public accountants or accounting firms, and other assistants and clerical workers as may be necessary; provided the cost thereof shall not exceed the sums as may be available out of the appropriation provided by law for the conduct of the auditor's office; provided further that the accountants, firms, and assistants are entirely independent of the departments, offices, and agencies of the State and its political subdivisions whose affairs are subject to audit by the auditor.(b) All employees shall be hired by the auditor subject to the approval of the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives and shall serve at the auditor's pleasure; provided that in the establishment of the salary of each employee, the auditor shall consult with the department of human resources development and shall follow as closely as possible the recommendations of the department; provided further that effective July 1, 2007, the salary of the first assistant or first deputy shall be not more than ninety-two per cent of the salary of the auditor.(c) The auditor and the auditor's full-time staff shall be entitled to participate in any employee benefit program privileges.L Sp 1959 1st, c 14, pt of §1; am L 1963, c 184, §2; Supp, § 2-37; HRS § 23-8; am L 1982, c 129, §29(2); gen ch 1985; am L 1986, c 128, §27(2); am L 1989, c 329, §17(2); am L 1994, c 56, §21; am L 2005, c 225, §2; am L 2007, c 63, §1 . Salary of auditor, see § 23-3 .