KEY CONTROLS CHECKLIST - Strath

Transcription

KEYCONTROLSCHECKLISTAccountability & AssuranceFor Professional Services DirectoratesJuly 2017Internal Audit ServiceThe place of useful learningThe University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC015263

Key Controls ChecklistContentsPageIntroduction1Statement of Assurance: From Head of Service/Division/Unit to ChiefFinancial Officer/Secretary and Compliance Officer2Checklist Index3Individual Checklist Areas4 – 32

Key Controls Checklist1.Introduction1.1This Key Controls Checklist (“the Checklist”) has been developed by the Internal Audit Service (IAS). Itspurpose is to:a. Assist the Director/Head of Service /Operational Unit by highlighting key controls which arerequired to be in place within their service area and signpost these to the relevant Universitypolicies and procedures.b. Provide a self-assessment document, to be completed annually by each Head of service/Unit,which confirms compliance with key University policies and procedures, or highlight areas fordevelopment.c.Allows Statements of Assurance to be provided to the University Secretary and ComplianceOfficer/Chief Financial Officer, and thereafter to the Principal and Treasurer.d. Provide a robust framework of governance across the whole Universitye. Reduce the number of on-site internal audit visits and thereby minimise the amount of time thatfront line staff are required to contribute to these reviews.1.2The findings of previous audit reviews have been considered while updating this Checklist. TheChecklist encompasses the four areas on which IAS must report to the Principal and Court, through theAudit Committee: Governance;Internal Control;Risk Management; andValue for MoneyThe contextual information provided in the Checklist is supported by control expectations and will assistin assessing whether appropriate systems and controls are in place.1.3In order to self-assess compliance with University guidance, each control expectation requires a simpleyes/no response. The comments section allows staff to note that this control is either not applicable ordescribe any alternative arrangements in place.1.4The deadline for submission of the completed Checklist and Assurance Statement to theUniversity Secretary & Compliance Officer or Chief Financial Officer is 4 August 2017. TheUSCO/CFO will then provide a 2016/17 year end Assurance Statement to the Principal and theTreasurer.Page 1

Key Controls ChecklistStatement of AssuranceTo The Chief Financial Officer/University Secretary andCompliance OfficerFinancial Year 2016/171. I am aware that you, as University Secretary and Compliance Officer/Chief Financial Officer,are required to provide assurance to the Principal and University Treasurer to enable theStatement of Corporate Governance and Internal Control, provided alongside the University’sAnnual Report and Financial Statements, to be certified. To assist you in that process, I canconfirm that I have received and reviewed the assurances necessary, following the completionof the University’s Key Control Checklist in my own service area(s).2. Based on that review, and my own knowledge of internal control matters, I [can/cannot]confirm that, as far as I am aware, these controls have been, and are operating effectively,[apart from the items mentioned in paragraph 3 below] There are, in my opinion, nosignificant matters arising in my area of responsibility which would require to be consideredfor inclusion in your own Statement of Assurance for 2016/17.3. Exceptions (where applicable)Signature:Designation:Date:The place of useful learningThe University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC015263Page 2

Key Controls ChecklistChecklist IndexRef.Area of ReviewArea of AssurancePage1Governance ArrangementsGovernance42Financial Management System (Usersand Roles) and Budgetary ControlInternal Control; Governance63Purchasing Goods & ServicesInternal Control;GovernanceValueforMoney;84ExpensesInternal Control;GovernanceValueforMoney;115Sales Orders & Credit NotesInternal Control;GovernanceValueforMoney;126Income & BankingInternal Control; Governance137AssetsInternal Control; Governance158Stock ManagementInternal Control; Governance189Research Grants/Contracts & KnowledgeExchange ActivityInternal Control; Governance2010Points Based System of ImmigrationInternal Control;Management11Risk ManagementRisk Management; Governance2512Information GovernanceRisk Management; Governance2613Complaints HandlingRisk Management; Governance2714Occupational Health, Safety & WellbeingRisk Management; Governance2815Copyright & LicensingRisk Management; Governance2916Cyber SecurityRisk Management; Governance3017Compliance with other key UniversityPoliciesInternal 32Page 3

Key Controls ChecklistSection 1: Governance ArrangementsControl Context: The Court is the governing body of the University, with overall responsibility for the general supervision,direction and control of the University. However, it is not practical for Court to make every decision that is required, andCourt has agreed to delegate authority for certain decisions and certain areas of responsibility to appropriate individualsand committees. Directorates may develop and maintain their own internal documentation describing processes fordeveloping strategic, policy and business proposals but should refer to the University’s governing instruments andSchedule of Delegated Authority to note where final decision-making authority rests.The Director as a primary budget holder, is responsible for the distribution and the efficient and effective management ofresources within the Directorate. Heads of Department have overall responsibility for ensuring the operation of effectiveinternal controls within their Department. This requires the establishment and maintenance of clear lines of responsibilitywithin the department. They should ensure that departmental staff are aware of their general responsibility to secure theUniversity’s property, and that they are aware of the University’s delegated authority limits and purchasing procedures.Heads of Department are also responsible for reviewing and monitoring budgets and income and expenditure in accountspertaining to their Department.Departmental staff need to be aware of their general responsibilities with regard to control and proper use of Universityresources, especially compliance with purchasing procedures and delegated authority limits.It is the policy of the University that all staff, students and persons associated with the organisation as a result of being anemployee, agent, third-party, intermediary, representative, business partner or supplier, through another role such as asubsidiary, should conduct business on its behalf honestly, and without the use of bribery or corrupt practices in order togain an unfair advantage. There should also be disclosure on any perceived or actual conflicts of interest in accordancewith the University’s Code of Practice on Conflicts of Interest.The University’s Policy for the Receipt of Gifts, Hospitality and Other Benefits is to protect staff and to avoid any conflict ofinterest that places staff in a position that may call into question their conduct as part of their work for the University.Reference:Financial Regulations (3.3.6 – ancialregulations/FinRegsAug2007.pdf/The policies noted in Sections 11 - 13 of this Checklist are all relevant.Schedule of Delegated andpolicy/Schedule of Delegated Authority.pdfCode of Practice on conflicts of Code of Practice - Conflicts of Interest.pdfAnti-Bribery & Corruption Code of rms/Anti-Bribery & Corruption Code of Conduct.pdfPolicy for Receipt of Gifts, Hospitality and Other /Policy for Receipt of Gifts, Hospitality and other Benefits.pdfArea of ReviewControl ExpectationResponseYesCommittees,Roles efinedorganisational structure and the roles,responsibilities and delegated authorities foroperational issues have been clearlycommunicated.There are appropriatearrangements in place to monitor and reviewaspects of activities, including: financial performance and management knowledge exchange activity risk management health, safety & wellbeing research (including research misconduct) ethics data protection cyber security/data management quality assurance staff management and developmentPage 4

Key Controls ChecklistSection 1: Governance Arrangements (Contd.)Area of ReviewControl ExpectationResponseYesSchedule ofDelegatedAuthorityDecisions and approvals have been taken,recorded, and reported (where appropriate) inaccordance with the University’s Schedule ofDelegated Authority.Anti-Bribery &CorruptionAll new partners and suppliers have beensubject to the required due diligence gfinancial) are maintained for appropriateactivities, including those where third partiesare acting on the University’s behalf.Conflicts ofInterestStaff members have been required to discloseactual or perceived conflicts of interest to theHead of Department.Gifts &HospitalityStaff who are in receipt of gifts from eitherUniversity visitors or others have notified theHead of Department.All instances of hospitality being offered andtaken by staff were notified to the HoD.StandardOperationProceduresWhere appropriate, written standard operatingprocedures have been developed forDepartmental business processes and theseare regularly reviewed. All staff are madeaware of these procedures, both at inductionand on an ongoing basis.Completed by:Reviewed by:Title:Title:Date:Date:Page 5

Key Controls ChecklistSection 2: Financial Management System (Users and Roles) and Budgetary ControlControl Context:The Financial Management System (FMS) provides the facility to allow a greater number of staff across the University tocreate transactions, approve these through online workflows, and manage budget accounts directly.Access to the system is managed on a number of levels, all of which require appropriate forms to be completed andreturned to the Finance Directorate for approval and processing.The control of income and expenditure within an agreed budget is the responsibility of the designated budget holder (SubProject Manager). Budget holders are accountable to the relevant Head of Department, Executive Dean or Senior Officerfor their own budget and should ensure that funds are used only for the purposes for which they are allocated. Thebudget holder will be assisted in this duty by management information provided by FMS.Reference:Financial Regulations (3.3.7; ancialregulations/FinRegsAug2007.pdf/Procurement entguidance/procurementmanualFMS Knowledge ion/fmslandingpage/Areas not considered relevant: None notedArea of ReviewControl ExpectationResponseYesFMS UserAccess ReportsCommentsNoA number of reports have been produced on FMS which allow departments to enquire on the accessrights that have been allocated to staff. These reports include: Users and Roles; Users with FastTrack Relation; and Sub Project Information. Finance undertake an annual confirmation with Headsof Department/Directors that the access rights for their staff remain appropriate.Users and roles have been set up on FMS inaccordance with relevant guidance issued byFinance. Access reports are run by departmentsfor the purpose of reviewing user access rightsthroughout the financial year.A review of the sub project manager for eachaccount has been undertaken to ensure that themost appropriate individual has been assignedthis role and that their seniority reflects the rolesand responsibilities associated with expenditurethrough this account.BudgetCommunicationApproved and agreed budget allocations havebeen communicated by Finance to the relevantHead of Department and were disseminated tothe relevant budget holders before the start ofthe financial year.BudgetMonitoring &ReportingRegular budget statements are reviewed by SubProject Managers for the purposes of examiningincome and expenditure transactions, checkingthe accuracy of coding, assessing budgetvariances and overall financial position.Regular financial reports are produced, eitherinternally by the Department or by the FinanceBusiness Partner, which provide information onthe overall financial position for the Head ofDepartment and other interested parties.Page 6

Key Controls ChecklistSection 2: Financial Management System (Users and Roles) and Budgetary Control (Contd)Area of ReviewControl ExpectationResponseControl & Usageof AccountsProjects provide the structure for grouping Sub Projects in order to support reporting, analysis andapproval of transactions. There are a number of project types which make up the structure ofaccounts within FMS (e.g. General Projects; Strategic Investment Projects; Research Projects; etc.).YesJournals andBudget TransferApproval1.Expenditure charged to these accounts isappropriate in accordance with Universitypolicies and approved by the Sub ProjectManager or other authorised signatory.2.Income is credited to these accountsappropriately.3.Research & KE accounts are only used tomeet costs associated with the relevantresearch or KE project and only used inaccordance with the terms and conditions ofthe grant.CommentsNoWhen a user creates and saves a journal or budget transfer transaction in FMS it is automaticallyentered into the relevant workflow. Workflow will then route the transaction to the appropriateapprover based on the key attributes such as amount, subproject or project type.Virement of funds betwe

Key Controls Checklist Page 1 1. Introduction 1.1 This Key Controls Checklist (“the Checklist”) has been developed by the Internal Audit Service (IAS). Its purpose is to: a. Assist the Director/Head of Service /Operational Unit by highlighting key controls which areFile Size: 241KBPage Count: 34