Each year, the internal audit department will present an annual audit plan to the Chancellor. This audit plan might change if there is an exigent situation. Each audit project is unique, however, the audit process is similar for most audit work.

The audit generally requires the following steps in order to complete an audit project.

1. Entrance Conference
   Internal audit generally will provide advance notice of the scheduled audit to the divisional head, the responsible department heads, and the assistant to the chancellor. In the entrance conference, the auditor will discuss the audit's objectives, scopes, plans and the communication links between the auditor and the auditee. In addition the divisional head or the department head may bring any areas of concern, which they would like to have the auditor review to the entrance conference.
    
2. Field work
   During the field work, auditor will gather information regarding the auditee's operations. The auditor will ordinarily follow the following procedures to gather information e.g. (i) inspection of work (ii) observation of procedures, (iii) inquiry with responsible employees, (iv) examination of the documentation, and (iv) confirmation with related documents. At the end of the fieldwork, the auditor will discuss the findings and recommendations with the auditee.
    
3. Exit conference
   At the exit conference the auditor's draft report will be discussed. This will be the last opportunity for official communication between the auditor and the auditee. The auditee will provide any new information corresponding to the audit findings, and any appropriate corrections or revisions will be pointed out to the auditor at this time
    
4. Written reponse
   The divisional head will be requested to deliver a written response to the recommendations made by the internal auditor within a reasonable time period, not exceeding two weeks.
    
5. Final report
   Upon receipt of the written response, the auditor will discuss with the Chief Financial Officer if any appropriate changes or modifications are to be made. After making appropriate changes, the auditor will issue the final report to the Chancellor with copies to the Chief Financial Officer, Director of System Internal Audit, and Divisional head of the audited department.
    
6. Follow-up
   Within a reasonable time following the issue of the final report, Internal Audit will perform the follow-up audit to verify that appropriate action has been taken based upon the prior recommendation. Internal Audit will periodically review the implementation until the auditor has a reasonable assurance that corrective actions are being followed. The follow-up report will be distributed to those who received the original audit report.

University division heads may request an audit or get more information about the internal audit department by contacting:

Sharon Radtke, Controller
125 Graff Main Hall
(608) 785-8598
Email:  radtke.shar@uwlax.edu

[UW-L Internal Audit] [UW-L Administration and Finance]

Please send comments or suggestions for this page to: Vickie Baer
Last modified: 12/11/03
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