Audit Charter

The mission of The University of Texas at Brownsville’s (UTB) Office of Internal Audits is to provide an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve the University’s operations.  The Office of Internal Audits helps UTB accomplish its mission in learning, research, and public service by bringing a systematic, disciplined approach to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of risk management, control, and governance processes.

Internal Audits will accomplish this mission by determining whether UTB’s network of risk management, control mechanisms, and governance processes, as designed and represented by management, is adequate and functioning in a manner to ensure the following:  

• Risks are appropriately identified and managed. 

• Significant financial, managerial, and operating information is accurate, reliable, and timely. 

• Employees’ actions are in compliance with policies, standards, procedures, and applicable laws and regulations. 

• Resources are acquired economically, used efficiently, and adequately protected. 

• Programs, plans, and objectives are achieved. 

• Quality and continuous improvement are fostered in control processes. 

Accountability

The Director of Internal Audits, in the discharge of his/her duties, shall be accountable to the President and the Institutional Audit Committee to: 

• Provide assessments on the adequacy and effectiveness of the organization’s processes for controlling its activities and managing its risks in the areas set forth under the mission and scope of work. 

• Report significant issues related to the processes for controlling the activities of the organization and its affiliates, including potential improvements to those processes, and provide information concerning such issues through resolution. 

• Periodically provide information on the status and results of Internal Audits’ annual work plan and the sufficiency of department resources. 

• Coordinate UTB’s interaction with the State Auditor’s Office and other external audit entities.

Independence

To provide for the independence of the internal auditing activity, the Director of Internal Audits reports directly to the President and must be free of all operational and management responsibilities that would impair his/her ability to review independently all aspects of the institution (per the Texas Internal Auditing Act, Section 2102, Government Code).  The Director of Internal Audits also has an indirect reporting relationship to the University of Texas System (UT System) Chief Audit Executive who has responsibility for oversight of the internal auditing activity for the UT System and has the reporting responsibility for all institutions to the Audit, Compliance, and Management Review Committee of the Board of Regents.  The Institutional Internal Audit Committee will provide input to the President on the hiring and dismissal of the Chief Audit Executive in consultation with the UT System Chief Audit Executive. 

The Director of Internal Audits is designated as the Chief Audit Executive of UTB (per the International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing).  

Responsibility 

Internal Audits is responsible to: 

• Develop a flexible annual work plan using an appropriate risk-based methodology, including any risks or control concerns identified by management, and submit that plan to the UTB President, Institutional Audit Committee, and the Audit, Compliance, and Management Review Committee of the Board of Regents for review and approval as well as periodic updates. 

• Implement the annual work plan, as approved, including as appropriate any special projects requested by executive management of the institution, U. T. System officials, or the Board of Regents. 

• Have and maintain a professional audit staff with sufficient knowledge, skills, experience, training, and professional certifications to meet the requirements of this charter and the Texas Internal Auditing Act. 

• Evaluate and assess significant merging/consolidating functions and new or changing services, processes, operations, and control processes coincident with their development, implementation, and/or expansion. 

• Issue periodic reports to the President and Institutional Audit Committee summarizing results of audit activities. 

• Keep the President and Institutional Audit Committee informed of emerging trends and successful practices in internal auditing. 

• Assist in the investigation of significant issues within the institution and notify appropriate members of executive management of the results. 

• Consider the scope of work of the external auditors and regulators, as appropriate, for the purpose of providing optimal audit coverage to the institution. 

• Conduct quality assurance reviews in accordance with professional Internal Auditing standards and periodically taking part in external peer reviews. 

• Provide consulting and advisory services as appropriate. 

• Guide the institution on control self-assessment by assisting managers with risk self-assessment and conducting self-audits. 

• Provide information to the U. T. System Chief Audit Executive as required or requested to fulfill the System-wide audit oversight and reporting responsibilities. 

• File internal audit reports and related responses or action plans with the U. T. System Audit Office, the office of the Governor, the State Auditor’s Office, Sunset Advisory Commission, and the Legislative Budget Board after presentation to the Institutional Internal Audit Committee.

• Prepare the annual report required by the Texas Internal Auditing Act (Section 2102, Government Code) and submit the report to the President, U. T. System Audit Office, Office of the Governor, Sunset Advisory Commission, State Auditor, and the Legislative Budget Board. 

Authority