• Overview
• Protocol
• Internal Audit
• External Audit

• Schedule of Audit Activities
• Tips for Conduct during an Audit
• Surviving an Audit
• FY 2005 Audited Financial Statements
• FY 2004 A-133 Audit
• Self-Evaluation Internal Controls
• UO Policy on Financial Irregularities
• Records Retention

Overview

The University is responsible for significant resources and strives to manage them efficiently and effectively in order to support the mission of the University of Oregon. The University of Oregon embraces the audit process as an additional opportunity to evaluate and improve our business operations as well as ensure compliance with applicable regulations, policies, procedures, generally accepted accounting principles, and sound business practices. 

Protocol
The role of the UO Audit Coordinator is to facilitate access required by external auditors and OUS internal auditors. The UO Audit coordinator strives to:

• Provide auditors with timely information and appropriate departmental contacts

• Facilitate an understanding of campus operations

• Minimizing duplications of efforts and disruptions to campus faculty and staff

• Advocate on behalf of campus department in instances where requests are potentially large and burdensome

• Work with appropriate university personnel to develop formal responses to audit findings and recommendations communicate and monitor progress of issues identified through audit activities with appropriate university personnel

• Maintain a working relationship with OUS IAD

Internal Audit

External Audit

On an annual basis the University of Oregon, as a part of the Oregon University System, undergoes both a financial and compliance audit by an independent audit firm.

The University of Oregon is also subject to audit by federal agencies. With relation to federal funds, the oversight agency assigned to the University of Oregon is The Department of Health and Human Services. The Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research has oversight authority with relation to Property and Procurement Systems. As a state agency, the institution is also subject audit by the Secretary of State Audits Division.

Related Links:

Secretary of State Audits Division

Department of Health and Human Services

Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research

Tips for Conduct during an Audit

• Be honest. 

• Don't worry. Take time to prepare, call on available expertise, but don't waste time speculating about outcomes -- they'll take care of themselves.

• Be cooperative. A fresh look at the way you do business will benefit your department and the UO.

• Listen carefully or read carefully before answering, to ensure that you understand the question or request. Don't hesitate to ask for clarification from the auditor.

• Keep your answers direct and to the point.

• If you don't know the answer, say so: it is best not to "wing it", speculate or guess. If appropriate, offer to provide the information or answer as follow-up. If you promise to find out, be sure to supply the information in a timely manner.

• Locate requested documentation promptly. If you cannot find it immediately, let the auditor know. If appropriate, offer to locate it later, or offer an alternative. Don't try to fill in gaps in documentation after the fact.

• Be positive, not defensive. Remember that you will have an opportunity to respond in writing to any observations or recommendations.

• Don't expect that the auditors will always agree with you -- be professional and objective. This is a process -- an exchange of ideas and an opportunity to learn something new for both you and the auditor.

• It is the auditors' job to observe and make recommendations. It is our job to analyze the recommendations in the context of our organization, to determine the relative value to cost, and to decide what is best to implement.

Questions??Call UO Heidi Sann at 346-1116.