Audit Support
RCCP supports departments throughout the grant audit process by providing guidance, coordination, and compliance expertise to help ensure adherence to sponsor and regulatory requirements.
RCCP Supports Departments During Grant-Related Audits
When a university department receives funding from federal, state, or private grant-making agencies, it becomes subject to periodic audits designed to verify proper stewardship of funds and adherence to regulatory requirements. RCCP plays a central role in ensuring departments are prepared, supported, and successful throughout the entire audit lifecycle.
Pre-Audit Preparation
RCCP helps departments prepare for the audit. Key support activities include
- Documentation Support: Helping departments organize financial records, effort certifications, subrecipient monitoring documentation, procurement records, and other compliance materials.
- Risk identification and mitigation: Highlighting areas where additional oversight, corrective action, or procedural improvements are needed.
Managing Audit Notifications
When an agency announces an audit, RCCP steps in to coordinate and manage the response:
-
Central communication hub: Acting as the primary point of contact with
auditors to clarify scope, timelines, and expectations. -
Coordinating data collection: Working with departments, Principal
Investigator, Sponsored Projects, HR, Procurement, and Finance to gather the required
documentation in a timely and organized manner.
Direct Support During the Audit
Throughout the audit process, RCCP works closely with departments to reduce the burden and ensure accuracy.
- Facilitating auditor access: Coordinating interviews, site visits, and document walkthroughs.
- Ensuring consistency: Reviewing all materials before submission to ensure information is accurate, complete, and consistent across units.
- Advocacy and representation: Attending meetings with auditors, helping clarify university processes, and protecting departments from unnecessary risk or misinterpretation.
- Real-time issue resolution: Addressing questions promptly and ensuring that any concerns raised by auditors are responded to appropriately.
Post-Audit Follow-Up and Corrective Actions
After the audit concludes, RCCP assists departments in understanding and acting on the results.
- Reviewing audit findings: Helping departments interpret findings, recommendations, and areas of concern identified by the agency.
- Corrective action planning: Collaborating with departments to develop, document, and implement corrective action plans.
- Policy and process updates: Updating internal policies, developing new workflows, and enhancing training to prevent future issues.
- Monitoring implementation: Tracking the completion of corrective actions and preparing reports for agency follow-up if required.