In addition to the general powers of the auditor general over accounts confined by existing laws, it shall be the duty of said officer, from time to time, to resettle and correct all accounts of public officers, where it may appear from such accounts in his office, or from other information in his power, that errors exist in any of said accounts, prejudicial to the interests of the commonwealth; but in no case shall the amount of the balance of any such account be reduced, except in the cases, and within the time heretofore authorized by law for re-examining accounts: Provided, That this section shall not be construed to apply to accounts settled and examined prior to Jan. 1, 1840.
72 P.S. § 4090