Quality and Audit Committee

The Quality and Audit Committee Charter

terms of reference (UC119/12 Dec06)

1. To advise and assist Council in the effective discharge of its fiduciary duties of governance and stewardship in respect of ongoing performance, control and compliance, thrrough monitoring, reporting and making recommendations intended to sustain and improve University performance and sustems of internal control, legislative compliance and risk management.
   
   
2. Without Limiting the generality of (1) above, the Committee will monitor and provide recommendations, advice and reports to Council on:
   
   
   1. Performance
      1. KPI's and the KPI framework including the audit thereof
      2. Summary reports on key internally commissioned reviews, for example, School Reviews, Annual Faculty and Centre Reviews, Research Centre Reviews and Triennial reviews of off-shore operations
      3. Significant external reviews such as AUQA
      4. Performance related strategic initiatives as required
         
         
   2. Audit
      1. Internal Audit and related operations including the reporting of suspected fraud, misconduct and corruption
      2. External Audit and related operations including other reveiws that the Auditor General may conduct from time-to-time
         
         
   3. Risk
      1. The reliability and integrity of financial and management information.
      2. Compliance with legal requirements, policies, procedures, plans and relevant recommendations from external auditors.
      3. The economical and efficient use of resources. This includes monitoring the effective use and safeguarding of University assets and resources.
      4. The preparation and review of Audit Plans and the achievement of established operational objectives and goals.
      5. Review the efficiency and effectiveness of the Office of Risk Management and Audit Assurance.
      6. Liaison with relevant external agencies including external auditors
         
         
   4. Compliance
      1. ECU's legislative compliance framework and its operation
         
         
3. To report to Council as required on such other matters as may be referred to the Committee by the Council, Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor.
   
   
4. To make decisions on matters delegated to the Committee by Council.
   

composition (UC119/12 Dec06)

*Appointments to Council Committees are approved by Council on the recommendation of the Nominations Committee (unless otherwise specified). Note that in this context "outside the University community" means people who are neither staff nor enrolled students of ECU and nor are they members of Council.

The majority of members, including the Chair, must be external (that is, neither staff nor enrolled students of ECU) and independent of the University (using the ASX definition of independence as a guide).

Accredited Observers (UC119/12 Dec06)

1. Vice-Chancellor or nominee
2. The senior executive with portfolio responsibility for quality
3. Director, Risk Management and Audit Assurance
4. Executive Director (Governance & Planning)
5. Representative from Office of the Auditor General

As per current practice, other persons may attend, as required (and approved by the Chair), to assist the Committee with its business.

Contact

For more information, please contact the Committee Secretary, Kathryn Clarke (6304 2109) in Governance Services.

Agenda and Minutes