Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guidance and Resources
ACUA Resources
As internal auditors, we strive to be at the forefront of providing valuable advice to our leadership and governance boards. The COVID-19 pandemic is the current emergency being mitigated by our organizations. ACUA has numerous resources available on topics that help our organizations with the processes necessary to mitigate the risk and ensure continuity of business as soon as practical.
Click here for ACUA Resources.
Lessons Learned
Baker Tilly recently presented its lessons learned throughout this past year, including the impact on external and internal auditing and the differences between HEERF I and HEERF II.
Click here for the March 18, 2021 presentation.
ACUA 2020 COVID-19 Impact Survey
ACUA polled the institutional representative membership population in September 2020 to gain an understanding of how COVID-19 has affected colleges and universities nationwide, including the impact it has had on internal audit departments. The results of the survey can be found here. You will be able to use this information to more efficiently and effectively conduct audit work and advisory services in the Post-COVID-19 environment and utilize benchmarking data for decision making.
New CARES Act HEERF Reporting Requirements
The Audit and Accounting Principles Committee wanted to share with you a recent announcement from the Department of Education (ED). Effective September 28, 2020, it has implemented new quarterly reporting deadlines related to the use of funds received from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).
Click here for the new CARES Act HEERF reporting requirements.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) II
On December 27, 2020, the President signed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) (P.L. 116-260). This new law gives the U.S. Department of Education (Department) approximately $22.7 billion to distribute to institutions of higher education in order to prevent, prepare for, and respond to coronavirus through the HEERF.
Click here for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.
Notice of Interpretation Regarding Period of Allowable Expenses for Funds Administered under the Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF) Program
The Department of Education (Department) is issuing this notice of interpretation regarding the allowable time period for which grantees may charge costs and lost revenue to their HEERF grant. That period is from March 13, 2020 onward.
Click here for the HEERF Interpretation Notice.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF I, II, and III) Lost Revenue Frequently Asked Questions
The following Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Examples of Calculating HEERF Lost Revenue chart address the concept and scope of reimbursing, calculating, and reporting for lost revenue under the HEERF grant programs.
Click here for the HEERF Lost Revenue Frequently Asked Questions.
New HEERF Guidance on expenses through the pandemic and calculating lost revenue
The historic passage of the American Rescue Plan – a $40 billion investment in higher education
- is a victory for our nation’s students and colleges. Meeting the academic needs of our students, while also ensuring the safety and well-being of all members of the campus community, is a priority for Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona.
Click here for the new HEERF guidance.
Virtual Conferencing Platform Security Tips
Keep your audit meetings safe and secure by referring to guidance and tips from the Center for Information Security.
Click here for more information from the Center for Internet Security
Council on Government Relations (CGR)
The GOGR's Institutional and Agency Responses to COVID-19 and Additional Resources page provides access to COGR's webinar series on COVID-19, agency guidance specific to federal award impact, institutional guidance, FAQs, and other additional resources to help stay current with all of the changes impacting research operations.
Click here for resources from the COGR.
Understanding the Coronavirus Risk Landscape at Your Institution
Stay on top of the emerging COVID-19 outbreak and the potential impact to your institution with Baker Tilly resources. Your institution should consider a holistic approach to risk awareness and mitigation related to areas including study abroad programs, business continuity (academic, campus operations, administrative), pandemic response, crisis communications, health and safety communications to students, incident response, quarantine procedures, and much more.
Click here for resources from Baker Tilly.
CISA Insights – Risk Management for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Developed by the US Department of Homeland Security, CISA Insights explains how organizations are not immune to cybersecurity issues in the wake of the COVID-19 disruption.
Click here to learn how organizations can protect themselves.
NACUBO Resources for COVID-19 on Campus
The NACUBO resource site includes useful links to information posted by the U.S. Department of Education regarding federal financial aid and COVID-19.
Click here for NACUBO resources.
Timely Resources from EduCause
Click here for timely Resources from EduCause.
Cares Act Implementations for Higher Education
Deidre Melton, Audit Director of Florida Agricultural Mechanical University has developed a PowerPoint presentation about the CARES Act; opportunities for funding; and recommended actions management should take in that regard.
Click here for the presentation.
Considerations for Institutes of Higher Education
Click here for resources from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).