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IU Audit Process & Tips

IU Audit Process & Tips. Who Audits IU?. Federal Agencies Other Agencies (FSSA, Commercial, Foundations, Other Universities, etc.) State Board of Accounts IU Internal Audit. AUDIT STARTS. Desk Audit for Financial. When does an Audit Start? Proposal Stage Award Stage Closeout.

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IU Audit Process & Tips

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  1. IU Audit Process & Tips

  2. Who Audits IU? • Federal Agencies • Other Agencies (FSSA, Commercial, Foundations, Other Universities, etc.) • State Board of Accounts • IU Internal Audit

  3. AUDIT STARTS Desk Audit for Financial • When does an Audit Start? • Proposal Stage • Award Stage • Closeout

  4. AUDIT PROCESS

  5. Receive Audit Notice • All notices go to the University Liaison (UL) • Departments -Do not respond to the notice • UL will respond to the Audit agency • Establish a point person • ORA will facilitate the audit

  6. Clarify Audit Scope • Verify • Time period of audit • Scope of the audit • Schedule fieldwork • Review the Award • Understand the purpose of the award

  7. Create an Audit Team

  8. IU Roles of Audit Team

  9. Desk Audit • Award Set up • Project Period • Budget Categories • Revised Budget • Indirect Cost Rate

  10. Desk Audit • Financial Info • Report setup • Invoice charges • Documentation • Revised Budget • Online submissions • Subcontracts • Allowable items

  11. Desk Audit • Close Out • Final Report completed • Inc=bdgt=exp • No Encumb • No Cash • No Account Rec • Close Account

  12. Internal Meeting • Meet with members of the Audit team • Review Roles • Clarify Priorities • Review Desk audit results • Resolve potential problems • Answer questions

  13. Auditor Relationships Desk Audit for Financial • Establish an open line of Communication • Non-communication = Audit Findings • Build Rapport • Don’t Badger • Don’t Neglect • Be Professional - courteous

  14. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate . . . Correctly • Ask questions to verify the question asked • Transparency • Answer questions completely • Don’t under answer the question • Don’t over answer the question

  15. Entrance Meeting w/auditors • Introductions & Roles • Background of Award • Audit Timeline • Fieldwork • Update meetings • Audit Process • Issue Notification

  16. Auditor’s Fieldwork • Provide adequate workspace • Preferably close to University Liaison • Direct all questions to University Liaison • Team members clear calendars during fieldwork. • Answer questions in a timely manner

  17. DRAFT AUDIT REPORT • NO Unresolved issues • NOadditional information that could have been provided • Knowwhat will be in the draft report

  18. FINAL REPORT • Report should be addressed to UL or to the agency • No new items in final report • Your responses should be included in final report

  19. AUDIT TIPS • Audit Do’s & Don’ts • Document Register • Unallowable expenditure sample • Prevention is the best cure • Record Retention

  20. Audit To Do’s • Audit is the highest priority • Secure the highest level of University support • Keep everyone in the know • Be over-prepared • Provide the answers within 24 hours • Investigate any department issue(s) before the audit • Understand agency & department’s relationship

  21. More To Do’s • Be Collaborative • Seek clarity of question(s) • Be specific with responses • Cite sources eg. Agency guidelines, Circulars • Establish regular update meetings with Auditors • Review all samples before giving to Auditors

  22. More To Do’s Create a document that includes all relevant weblinks: • A133 Audit • IU policies • F & A agreements • Fringe Benefit rates • Etc

  23. Do Not’s for an Audit • Don’t Procrastinate • Don’t Be argumentative • Don’t Be the Lone Ranger • Don’t Embellish • Don’t Offer unrelated examples • Don’t Over explain your response

  24. Document Register Create a listing of all documents given to auditors • Unique identifier • Date given • Brief description of sample • Auditors must sign for the documents

  25. Prevention is the Best Cure • Perform detailed review (Desk Audit) • If something appears suspect: • Document the details of unlike circumstance • Verifiable evidence of why it is allowable • Verify Effort during the life of the project • Not during Certification process

  26. Unallowable Expenditure in Sample • Self-disclose that it is not allowable • Explain why it is on the grant • Provide explanation on how this will be caught in the future • Ask auditor how they want to handle the cost

  27. Potential Unallowable costs • Office Supplies • Hospitality expenses • Cell phone charges • Transfer of funds • Memberships • Postage • Fellowships • Administrative wages • Non-certified effort • Promotions

  28. Common Compliance Issues • Fly America Act • Excluded Party List System (EPLS) • Audits of Subs • > $500,000 • On time Financial Reporting • On time Progress Reports

  29. Record Retention Documentation • Maintain Effort Certification records • Justifications for purchases • Financial reports • Copy of or evidence of completion of final technical or progress report (final payment may depend on this!) • Keep project notes with documentation

  30. Record Retention • Keep three to seven years after the final report is filed, depending on the agency • Be aware of multi-year awards • Keep documentation centrally located • No documentation = disallowance

  31. Only you can prevent Audit findings. .

  32. Contact Information Jim Engel Director of Grants Administration, Finance and Operations Office of Research Administration Telephone (812) 855-0165 Fax (812) 855-9943 E-mail njengel@iu.edu

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