Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who does the Internal Auditing Division report to?
University Internal Auditing Division reports to the University President as well as the Board of Regents Associate Vice Chancellor for Internal Auditing.

How are departments and offices selected for audit?
Each year the Internal Auditing Division prepares an audit plan based on management input and an assessment of a unit’s perceived audit risk.

How long do audits take?
It depends on the depth and scope of the engagement. Generally speaking, full-scope audits will take approximately two months.

Who gets audit reports?
Audit reports are distributed to the applicable department head and executive management, the University President, the at Board of Regents Associate Vice Chancellor for Internal Audit, and the State of Georgia Auditors.

What should I expect during an audit?

• An Opening Conference is held to officially start the audit. The purpose is to explain the audit process, gather information, describe the scope and objectives, and establish a cooperative working relationship with management.
• In the fieldwork phase, the auditors gain an understanding of operations under review, assess the internal control structure, and perform detailed testing to verify compliance with policies and/or regulatory compliance standards.
• Communication involves discussing the draft audit findings with management to obtain clarification. The draft report is presented for management's review and comment prior to publication.
• Active discussion and interaction with management prior to issuing the final report is standard protocol.
• A Closing Conference signals the official end of the audit. The audit comments and recommendations are again reviewed. The final report, including management responses, serves as the final product of the audit process.

What can I do to facilitate the audit process?
Be honest and open; understand that the University Internal Auditing Division does serve to assist you and your department by recommending solutions that can hopefully save your organization time and money while ensuring your operation has sound business practices and is in compliance with University, Board of Regent and State policies and procedures. We ask that you participate in the planning process and discussions. It is important that you not only voice your opinions regarding areas of weakness and issues of concern, but to give an honest assessment of the anticipated effectiveness and feasibility of our proposed suggestions for improvement.