UC IRVINE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES & PROCEDURES

UC Business and Finance Bulletins

Internal Audit Series

UC Internal Audit Mission Services Statement and Charter

UCI Delegation of Authority

IDA 018, Audit Responsibility

A. Mission Statement

The mission of Internal Audit Services is to assist The Board of Regents and University management in the discharge of their oversight, management, and operating responsibilities through independent audits and consultations designed to evaluate and promote the system of internal controls, including effective and efficient operations.

B. Internal Audit Services Management Charter

Internal Audit Services (IAS) functions under the policies established by The Regents of the University of California and by University management under authority delegated in IDA018.

C. Campus Authority

The authority to perform audits is delegated to the Director, Internal Audit Services. This authority provides the Director, or the Director's designated representatives, full access to any and all University records necessary to conduct the purpose of an audit.

In performing the audit function, internal audit has no direct responsibility for, nor authority over, any of the activities reviewed. Therefore, the internal audit review and appraisal process does not in any way relieve other persons in the organization of the responsibilities assigned to them.

D. Independence

To permit the rendering of impartial and unbiased judgment essential to the proper conduct of audits, internal auditors will be independent of the activities they audit.

Independence is essential to the effectiveness of the internal audit office. This independence is based primarily upon organizational status and objectivity:

Internal Audit Services has direct access to both the Chancellor and to the University Auditor. Internal Audit may take directly to the Chancellor, the University Auditor, the President, or The Regents matters that they believe to be of sufficient magnitude and importance.

Internal Audit Services reports directly to the Vice Chancellor, Administrative and Business Services and to the Office of the University Auditor.

E. Scope

Internal Audit Services is authorized to have full, free and unrestricted access to information including records, computer files, property, and personnel of the University in accordance with the authority granted by The Regents Internal Audit Services Mission Statement and Internal Audit Charter and applicable federal and states statues.

Except where limited by law or University policy, the work of Internal Audit Services is unrestricted. Internal Audit Services is free to review and evaluate all policies, procedures, and practices of any University activity, program, or function.

F. Standards

The responsibility of internal audit is to serve the University in a manner that is consistent with the standards established by the University of California internal audit community. At a minimum, it shall comply with the relevant professional standards, such as the Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing and with professional standards of conduct such as the Code of Ethics of the Institute of Internal Auditors, Inc.

G. Committee on Internal Audit

The Chancellor established the Committee on Internal Audit as a mechanism for involving UCI management in the audit process. The responsibilities of the Committee include reviewing and approving the annual audit plan for the campus and Medical Center, evaluating the adequacy of internal audit resources, and reviewing audit reports and the status of departmental action in response to audit recommendations. The Committee is chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Administrative and Business Services. The Committee membership is by invitation of the Committee and may include Vice Chancellors, the Director, UCI Medical Center, Associate Executive Vice Chancellor, and the Assistant Executive Vice Chancellor, Resource Management and Analysis, and Chief Campus Counsel. The Committee is governed by its own charter, approved by the Chancellor.

H. Audit Coordination

The Vice Chancellor, Administrative and Business Services is assigned the responsibility for reviewing and coordinating action on any Office of the President audit reports which may involve the campus, all external audit reports by independent auditors, and all audit reports submitted by any federal, state, or local agency.