Auditing

Internal Audits

Internal Audit performs audits of sponsored programs on a cyclical basis. These audits may be project specific or a review of sponsored programs policies and procedures generally. Audits are performed to monitor compliance with sponsor terms and conditions as well as NIU policies and procedures. 

SPA is the primary point of contact to Internal Audits for all audits of sponsored programs.

External Audits

Programmatic Audits

The department must notify SPA upon receiving notice of a programmatic audit. 

Financial Audits or Other Reviews (may also be referred to as a Desk Audit, Site Visit, Invoice Audit)

The PI or department must notify SPA immediately upon receipt of any financial audit. SPA will be the primary point of contact for completing the audit and will coordinate with the PI and/or department, as necessary, to develop responses and submit all correspondence to the auditor. The department should not send correspondence directly to the sponsor. 

OMB Single Audit

As a recipient of annual federal funds >$750,000, NIU is subject to 2 CFR 200 Single Audit requirements set forth in 2 CFR 200 Subpart F.

During this audit, SPA will be present at all meetings including internal control discussions with PIs and departments. All documentation should be forwarded to SPA for review and submission to auditors. SPA works closely with the Controller’s Office and other campus units to prepare and comply with this audit.

NIU’s Single Audit is submitted to the Federal Audit Clearinghouse. This report is a public document, which summarizes how NIU has complied with sponsor requirements and internal policies and procedures in administering spoAudit Guidelines

Audit Guidelines

Terms and conditions of the Sponsor and Federal requirements dictate what expenses and activities are allowable. When administering awards, PIs and campus departments should not assume that something is allowable because it was included in the sponsor approved budget and could be disallowed under audit. Any activity or expense that may not comply with the award terms and conditions should be discussed with SPA immediately. SPA has the final authority to determine allowability of all expenses.

Intentional disregard of Federal requirements and University policies and procedures may lead to sponsor imposed administrative sanctions, damage to reputation, loss of current or future funding and/or in severe cases, imprisonment.

All audits of sponsored programs are coordinated with Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA).

Investigators and departments contacted by a sponsor intending to perform an audit or financial review of a sponsored project should immediately notify SPA.