SIU University Guidelines

Attachment 4-A Policies of the Board of Trustees E-2 Internal Audit Policy

1. The President, as the chief executive officer of Southern Illinois University, is responsible for the development and implementation of a program of internal audit.
2. The President will promulgate guidelines which give direction to the overall internal audit function of the University; these guidelines, as they are developed and amended, will be transmitted to members of the Board of Trustees.
3. Internal Audit Charter: This charter identifies the purpose, authority, and responsibility of the Internal Audit Office at Southern Illinois University.
1. Purpose: The Internal Audit office was established within Southern Illinois University to conduct reviews of operations and procedures and to report findings and recommendations to the institution's administration and to the Board of Trustees. All Internal Audit endeavors are to be conducted in accordance with applicable law, institutional objectives and policies, as well as professional ethics and standards.
2. Authority
1. Since its organizational status and the support accorded to it by senior administration are major determinants of its range and value, the Internal Audit Office reports administratively to the President, whose authority as the chief executive officer is sufficient to assure a broad range of audit coverage and adequate consideration of effective action on internal audit findings and recommendations. The Internal Audit Office has an independent, functional responsibility to the Executive Committee and the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees for reporting on the adequacy and effectiveness of internal controls. (5/14/98)
2. While the Internal Audit office is an integral part of Southern Illinois University and functions in accordance with the policies established by the President and the Board of Trustees, it is essential for internal auditors to be independent of the activities audited. To enhance and ensure this independence, and with strict accountability for safekeeping and confidentiality, internal audit staff are authorized unlimited access to all records, personnel, and physical properties which the Executive Director of Audits has determined to be relevant to the performance of assigned audits.
3. In performing its work, the Internal Audit Office shall assert no direct responsibility nor authority over activities reviewed. Therefore, its appraisal of activities does not relieve other persons in the organization of any responsibilities assigned to them.
3. Responsibility
1. The Internal Audit Office is responsible for providing Southern Illinois University's administrators and Board members with information about the adequacy and the effectiveness of its system of internal controls and quality of operating performance. To accomplish this responsibility, all institutional activities are subject to audit.
2. The scope of internal auditing encompasses examining and evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of Southern Illinois University's systems of internal control and the quality of operating performance against established standards in carrying out assigned responsibilities. Areas of review include:
1. reliability and integrity of financial and operating information;
2. compliance with policies, plans, procedures, laws, and regulations;
3. safeguarding assets;
4. economy and efficiency with which resources are employed;
5. accomplishment of institutional goals and objectives.
3. The Executive Director of Audits is generally responsible for the administration of this policy and for functionally directing internal audit activities throughout Southern Illinois University.
4. Southern Illinois University administrators are responsible for providing internal auditors with timely access to records, personnel, and physical properties which the Executive Director of Audits has determined to be relevant and for making sure that prompt, pertinent, and comprehensive responses are made to audit recommendations.

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