Category: Uncategorized

“Kara enjoys the opportunities to serve her ACUA community by sharing information to support other university auditors”

Professional Background
Kara L. Hefner, CPA, CIA, CFE is an Internal Audit Manager at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she has worked for the past six years. She has 19 additional years of internal auditing experience in university health care, Fortune 500 public utilities, and student loan guarantors. Kara holds degrees in math, economics, and accounting and began her career in public accounting.

In addition to being a frequent speaker at ACUA conferences, Kara is the current Editor of ACUA’s College & University Auditor Journal and is a member of the ACUA Auditing and Accounting Principles Subcommittee. Kara received the ACUA Member Excellence in Service award in 2025. In her free time, Kara participates in competitive swimming, teaching adult learn to swim classes, and has authored two books on her German from Russia heritage.

Spotlight Nomination

“Kara continuously encourages individuals to contribute to the ACUA Journal and always provides helpful feedback on articles. She is an active volunteer and embodies ACUA values through every interaction she has with members – her integrity is unquestionable, she is respectful, and always committed to excellence in her work and volunteer service.”

“Tiffany has found volunteering with ACUA to be such a rewarding experience.  One of her favorite things is getting to meet other ACUA members in person at AuditCon after connecting virtually throughout the year.”

Professional Background
Tiffany Yordan, CIA, is a Principal Auditor in Audit and Advisory Services at Rutgers University, where she has worked since 2024.  Previously, she spent 16 years in the Office of Audit and Compliance at Princeton University.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in international studies from American University and an MBA from the University of Maine.

Tiffany has volunteered with the data analytics subcommittee since its inception in 2019 (when it was not even a committee yet, just a group of people who got together to write a kick-starter on data analytics).  She has enjoyed seeing it grow and evolve into a standing subcommittee and for the last four years, she has served as the director.  As part of the Best Practices Committee, the subcommittee’s goal is to support ACUA members by providing resources, tools, and insights to enhance the use of data analytics.  Tiffany has really enjoyed her time on the committee and getting to know so many amazing ACUA volunteers.  Through the subcommittee, she has been able to author and contribute to various kick-starters and organize webinars and roundtables.

Spotlight Nomination

“Tiffany’s service reflects a deep commitment to the organization and to the professional development of her peers.”

“Tiffany’s contributions to the Data Analytics Subcommittee have had a lasting impact, and her service has helped shape a more connected and capable community of internal auditors in higher education. It has been an honor to work alongside her.”

Whether you’re looking for something to wear to AuditCon, a thoughtful gift for a colleague, or a way to represent your professional community throughout the year, the ACUA Store has you covered.

What You’ll Find:
The storefront offers a curated selection of ACUA-branded items, including:

• Comfortable apparel in a range of sizes
• Drinkware and accessories for the office or home
• Totes, notebooks, and more

These products were selected with our members in mind—functional, professional, and perfect for showcasing your ACUA pride.

This new storefront offers a convenient way to celebrate your involvement with ACUA and the internal audit profession. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to supporting and engaging our members in meaningful ways—on campus, at events, and beyond.

Visit the Store
Browse the full selection and place your order today:
Shop the ACUA Store

We look forward to seeing the ACUA community sporting these items at events, on campuses, and in offices across the country.

Thank you for all that you do. Let’s raise awareness, uplift one another, and continue driving excellence together.

Organizations who are reviewing and interpreting the directives:

• National Science Foundation (NSF) –  Executive Orders Implementation
• National Institute of Health (NIH) – Changes Coming in 2025
• National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) – Federal Policy Insights for Higher Education Finance Leaders
  • NACUBO, COGR, and 16 Other Organizations File Amicus Brief Supporting Community Appeal of Indirect Cost Reimbursement Rate Cap
• COGR 2025 Administration Transition Resources
• National Council of University Research Administrators (NCURA) – Changing Federal Landscape Collaborate Community
• Regulatory & Legislative Updates for Higher Ed Risk Managers – URMIA
• National Association of College and University Attorneys
• Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges – Public Policy Alerts
  • White House:
    Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education
    Transparency Regarding Foreign Influence at American Universities

Organizations that post articles and blogs with updates on the directives:

• The Chronicle of Higher Education – News
• Association of Public & Land Grant Universities (APLU)
• American Council on Education (ACE)