Connect Further: Advice for Auditors New to Higher Education
July 9, 2019
Working in the higher education, we are working in an industry where we get to watch future leaders prosper. Our goal is to make our institution the best it can be to foster a supportive and innovation environment. This notion of “paying it forward” helps the future generations learn from the experiences of those from prior generations. Sharing knowledge is the strongest way we, as professionals, can help shape the future.
In an effort to bridge popular topics from ACUA’s online discussion form, Connect ACUA, with the College and University Auditor, we present our second “Connect Further” feature–Advice for Auditors New to Higher Education. Given the number of position openings shared recently, a series of questions were posted to Connect ACUA asking members to offer advice on how new auditors can acclimate to the complex, hierarchical, yet overall rewarding, environment that is unique to institutes of higher education. This feature summarizes advice from individuals with 2-20 years of experience and from small private colleges to large public university systems.
What did you wish you knew when you first started working in higher education?
I wish I had known more about how a university/college operates. Even though we have all attended an institution of higher education, you really don’t know all the different programs and offices that make a university tick. Even though I have been at my institution 9 years, I am still learning about programs we have!
–Leigh Moon, Eastern Illinois University
Members wish they knew a variety of things, such as:
- How a college/university operates overall.
- How to learn more about the departments, offices, and programs a college/university has.
- To seek out trainings offered by a college/university.
- What titles in higher education mean and how they compare to the corporate world.
- The intricacies of politics at colleges/universities.
- The balance of power between administration, faculty, and students.
- About the amount of “red tape” that exists.
- The level of consensus and collaboration needed to affect change (long-term).
- To be more patient because it takes time to:
- Learn about the idiosyncrasies of the higher education environment.
- Receive requested information.
- Schedule meetings/fieldwork.
- Perform an audit overall.
- Implement audit recommendations.
- Where to learn about relevant and upcoming risks and topics for audit areas.
What are your favorite ACUA resources that will help new auditors learn about higher education-related matters?
My favorite ACUA resource is the people! ACUA offers a number of different resources to help assist auditors, but where I have found immeasurable value is the network of professionals from around the country I have connected with. I would strongly encourage any new auditor to seek out these connections. Attend conferences, join committees; volunteer in whatever capacity you’re comfortable with. It is the people and committed volunteers that set this organization apart from others!
–Marion Candrea, Rutgers University
Every resource that ACUA offers is valuable–especially the people! Respondents indicated that the following resources are their favorites:
- College and University Auditor – Read about the experiences and expertise of ACUA members and partners to gain insight on best practices within the industry. Also, consider co-authoring an article with someone who has a lot of experience in the field to help gain knowledge of an area.
- Connect ACUA – Review Connect ACUA posts to see what others are discussing and what other colleges/universities are doing. This can give you some insights about areas that were not previously on your radar. Do not be afraid to ask for assistance on Connect ACUA! There is mostly likely someone else in the same boat as you and there are individuals with years of experience out there that can help you–there is no need to recreate the wheel.
- Risk Dictionary – This resource gives you an idea about what risks exist for an audit area and potential controls that could be in place to mitigate such risks. You can export this resource to Excel.
- Resource Library – Organized by audit area, this resource lists tools available for members to use. Such tools include risk assessments, audit programs, checklists, forms, policies, etc.
- Kick Starters – This resource aims to help members plan and perform an audit of a specific area. Created by Subject Matter Experts, each Kick Starter discusses key risks and controls, audit tests, and common audit findings.
- NCAA Audit Guides – Provided by The Compliance Group to help internal audit departments within NCAA member institutions focus on key high-risk areas. Organized by audit area, this resource indicates applicable bylaws, as well as general testing procedures. Guides are available for Division I and Division II schools.
- Webinars – ACUA hosts distance-learning opportunities monthly (on average) to educate members on higher education-specific topic areas. Presenters are experienced auditors or industry professionals. More often than not, webinars are CPE eligible and complimentary.
- ACUA Conferences: AuditCon and Audit Interactive – Attending a conference within your first year is a great way to get accustomed to the higher education environment. Attend sessions related to upcoming audit projects you have and sessions that fit your interests. When at conferences, meet as many people as you can and keep in contact with them after the conference!
Outside of ACUA, what can new auditors do to learn about higher education-related matters?
Read professional higher education publications. Get on their contact lists. Many universities have these memberships; just find the right contact in your organization to be added to the membership roster, so that you can get access to the members-only section of their websites.
–Rita Moore, Northeastern Illinois University
Other members suggest that new auditors:
- Read The Chronicle of Higher Education. This resource provides real-time news, insights, and tools to succeed in higher education. As a site license user, you can see recent articles about your institution, similar institutions, and relevant keyword searches. Check to see if your institution provides access; if it does not, ask why not!
- Read Inside Higher Ed. Free to subscribe. This resource is beneficial for learning about higher education news and thought leadership. It provides relevant information for individuals, institutions, corporations, and not-for-profits to serve the higher education community better. You can specify how often you would like to receive e-newsletters (i.e., daily, weekly, or monthly) and sign-up for specialized topics, such as admissions, diversity, digital learning, and careers.
- Visit NACUBO’s website and read publications. The National Association of College and University Business Officers aims to help leaders within the higher education industry become aware of advocacy efforts, overcome campus administration challenges, and provides resources to support strong business practices. NACUBO issues several publications and subscription options for member institutions. Check to see if your institution is a member institution; if it is not, ask why not!
- Visit EDUCAUSE’s website and read publications. Free to subscribe. The association aims to advance the higher education industry–through the use of information technology–by offering research, analysis, and publications to keep professionals abreast of new trends, as well as learning opportunities to help build connections and strengthen knowledge. EDUCAUSE and ACUA now work closely together to bring invaluable resources to members, so look out for new endeavors with EDUCAUSE!
- Subscribe to Case in Point emails. Free to subscribe. Auburn University’s Office of Audit, Compliance, and Privacy issues a monthly e-newsletter summarizing higher education-related news stories and offers a targeted discussion around proactive risk management.
- Use resources on the HECA’s website. The Higher Education Compliance Alliance has information and resources readily available to institutions to assist in compliance with federal laws, rules, and regulations. One notable resource is the Higher Education Compliance Matrix that lists federal laws and regulations applicable to higher education. A user can sort the matrix as needed and it provides a brief synopsis of the law, relevant reporting deadlines, as well as where to find additional information.
- Create a Google alert. You can receive emails related to a specific keyword search you establish, such as your institution’s name. This way, you will receive any articles from websites, or even local, statewide, or national newspapers that mention your institution. You can also specify how often you receive these emails.
- Follow organizations on LinkedIn®. Follow the organizations listed above and other professional organizations, such as the American Council on Education, American Association of Community Colleges, Association of American Colleges and Universities, and EAB. Other professional associations listed on studentaffairs.com may be beneficial. Also, follow your institution and other institutions similar to yours.
What do you think is the best way for a new auditor to learn about their college/university?
Get out and experience it. Get involved in volunteer opportunities around campus to get your face out there and build relationships. The campus community needs to know you as an individual instead of as "the auditor."
–Jana Clark, Kansas State University
Volunteer/participate in university events. Talk to individuals at these events about the institution and about themselves to develop relationships and learn more about the university. This will also help show that you are not just there to audit, but are investing in the university.
–Ray Khan, Texas Women’s University
Through this survey, one thing was clear–to learn, you must experience. Members identified a number of ways that a new auditor can “experience” an institution:
- Get involved in campus activities. Such activities include, but are not limited to, university-sponsored events, fundraisers, committees, and employee resource groups.
- Meet people. Meet people at institutional events, meet people in the hallways or lunch room, meet people walking around campus, have your new co-workers introduce you to members of the university–meet as many people as possible. Establish connections and build relationships with these individuals; ask them about the areas they work (or worked) in and get to know them on a personal level. Individuals are typically more than willing to share their experiences and knowledge and can help guide you in the right direction. Meet with key stakeholders and clients as often as possible.
- Visit your university’s website. There is a plethora of information available on your institution’s website. While cumbersome to navigate, focus on some key areas, such as:
- Becoming familiar with your institution’s mission
- Reading up on your school’s history (e.g., public or private institution, land-grant institution, historically black colleges and universities)
- Understanding your institution’s governance structure (e.g., is your school part of a system?)
- Identifying how many schools or departments are in your institution
- Reviewing the policy library
- Reviewing the financial statements (e.g., endowment size, research dollars expended, GASB [for public institutions] or FASB [for private institutions] standards followed), strategic plan, and/or risk assessment
- Subscribing to your institution’s daily communications (e.g., faculty newsletters, student newspapers)
- Signing up for institution-specific trainings, especially those that will help you understand the information being communicated to end users and trainings that will help you perform your audits (e.g., running general ledger reports)
- Follow your institution on social media. LinkedIn®, Facebook®, Instagram®, Twitter®, you name it. Follow, follow, and follow. Social media depicts the institution in an informal manner and lets you see the image portrayed to the public, which is ultimately the reputation they strive to uphold. Knowing this, you will be able to help assess areas that may pose a threat to your institution’s reputation.
What other professional organizations do you recommend to new auditors?
ACUA members suggest that new auditors become members of:
Be sure to also follow these organizations on LinkedIn®!
Get a Mentor!
ACUA has a mentorship program and new auditors are encouraged to become involved. For more information, head to https://acua.org/Member-Resources/Mentorship-Program.
The College and University Auditor would like to thank all ACUA members who participated for their time and cooperation. If there are any topics you would like to see for Connect Further features, feedback on this feature, or any questions please contact Marilyn Carnevale at marilyn.carnevale@rutgers.edu.
About the Author
Marilyn Carnevale
Marilyn Carnevale is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM), and Public School Accountant (PSA). She is the editor of College and University Auditor and works...
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