The main purpose of internal audit in any organisation is to ensure that such an organisation achieves its objectives at minimum cost and that all activities are in accordance with the laid down rules and regulations of the management, standard accounting practice and the laws of the country.

In compliance with generally accepted auditing standards, the work of internal audit encompasses the examination and evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of the organisation=s system of internal control, and the quality of performance in carrying out assigned responsibilities. This is achieved through, among others:

* Examination and constant scrutiny of all systems of authorisations to ensure adequate control of activities.

* Periodic examination of the system of internal checks and internal control to ensure the highest possible standards of efficiency.

* The detailed examination of income and expenditure to ensure its correct recording, classification and allocation in accordance with the approved budget provisions.

* The verification of assets and liabilities and the means of safeguarding them against various types of losses such as those resulting from theft, fire, misappropriation or other illegal activities.

* Maintenance of adequate checks against errors, frauds, misappropriations and misapplications.

* Compliance tests to ensure that policies, plans, procedures and applicable rules and regulations as laid down by management, are adhered to.

* Liaising with the External, Statutory Auditor on all matters affecting Statutory Audits.

The Audit Department of the University of Jos, is in the Vice-Chancellor=s Office and reports directly to the Vice-Chancellor. It is headed, by a Chief Internal Auditor in the absence of a substantive Director of Internal Audit. The Audit Department is not part of, or under the Bursary as is mistakenly assumed by most people. Indeed, the Bursary itself has its financial activities audited and passed by the Internal Audit Department.

It is important that the financial duties being carried out by the Bursary be cross-checked from time to time by an independent unit. This way, the management ensures that the transactions carried out by the Bursary are in accordance with laid down rules and regulations. A unit independent of the Bursary therefore needs to be in place. At the very beginning, a small section was created out of the bursary to carry out the functions of reviewing the work of other sections in the bursary and has now evolved into a separate Department of Internal Audit. This origin of the Internal Audit Department explains why many members of the University Community are not aware that these two departments are separate and independent of each other today.

It is also erroneously believed that the work or the duties of the Internal Audit Department relates to financial transactions only and its role is regarded as that of a meddler, a waste of time and another cog in the wheel of bureaucracy. It should be made abundantly clear that the role of the Internal Audit Department, contrary to this belief, is such that it permeates all aspects of the University administration. It follows, therefore, that wherever there are rules, regulations and procedures laid down to be followed in carrying out any task in the University community, the services of the Internal Audit Department are necessarily required. Given the functions and duties of the department, it is clear that the Internal Audit Department in the University of Jos, when fully developed should be far bigger than it is today. There have been obvious hindrances to its expected development because of misconceptions including the one mentioned above and top management=s attitude to Internal Audit. A full fledged internal audit department should be a directorate in its own right answerable, for obvious reasons, directly to the Vice-Chancellor. It should be headed by a substantive Director in order that it be accorded its rightful position in the structure of University administration.

II. THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THE AUDIT DEPARTMENT

* To ensure a reliable internal control capable of safeguarding the university assets.

* To promote cooperation and social cohesion, thereby engendering a sense of belonging amongst the entire university community;

* To foster regard for merit and excellence ensuring compliance with financial regulations and the internal control system in the university=s quest for excellence.

III. THE AUDIT DEPARTMENT TODAY

The importance of internal audit department of the university is still not well recognised by management. This can be seen in the limited provision of office space as well as other facilities for the auditors to facilitate movement for investigation and price verification. Problems of the department include, lack of co-operation from the non-auditing staff, weakness and inefficiency of the public service, corruption and the brazen disregard for rules and regulations, non participation of internal auditors in certain committees, such as budget hearing and board of surveys, poor incentives to compensate auditors for the social rejection and other risks they suffer and the lack of units of inspection, investigation and auditing.

To develop and sustain a strong, God fearing Directorate of Internal Audit , which is the most competent one in the Nigerian University System. A unit that is a friend and not an enemy and where compliance is the order rather than the exception.

IAS = Internal Audit Strategy

IAS 3.1 Recruit and maintain an adequate number of qualified and dedicated staff.

IAS 3.2 Make all audit staff computer literate, and provided them an adequate number of computers to facilitate effective and efficient delivery of services.

IAS 4.1 Keep staff abreast of developments through their participation in regular courses, seminars and conferences as part of staff development.

IAS 4.2 Recruit staff in other professional fields, in order to accomplish job performance and other specialised audits.

IAS 4.3 Foster the introduction of an annual performance audit and merit awards for staff.

Goal 7: Decentralisation and Transparency in Administration

IAS 7.1 Foster the transformation of the existing Internal Audit Department into a Directorate of Audit.

1998 to 2000:

In liaison with MIS intensify the training of all audit staff in the use of computers.

Computerise all functions of the audit department..

Conclude computerisation of the department, extending audits to staff performance and other specialised areas.

Complete the transformation of the department into a directorate.

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