Office of Sponsored Research - 800.01 - Audits and Reports

Title

Office of Sponsored Research - 800.01 - Audits and Reports

Purpose

All performance under sponsored project agreements at the University is subject to internal and external audit according to the guidelines published in 2 CFR §200 Subpart F. This operating standard establishes general foundations for audits of sponsored agreements at the University.

Policy Statement

The Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) is responsible for coordinating all audit matters and responses relative to sponsored research, training, and public service activities of the University. Federal, State, and public firm auditors must make initial contact with OSR when conducting periodic audits or special inquiries relative to contract and grant matters.

OSR will coordinate Federal or public firm audit visits with departments to ensure that necessary personnel are available for discussions and to facilitate audit access to required records. Depending upon the nature of the audit subject matter, OSR may elect to be represented in audit discussions at the departmental level. Departmental personnel needing guidance at any time should contact OSR without hesitation.

The Executive Director of OSR is responsible for coordinating the University's responses to those audits concerned with sponsored research, training, and public service awards. This responsibility in no way relieves the Principal Investigator (PI) or department concerned from providing necessary input promptly or from resolving financial liability that may ultimately be assessed as a result of audit exceptions. The Executive Director of OSR or an authorized designee will participate in and coordinate audit exit briefings. Other University representatives will be requested to attend exit briefings as deemed necessary by the significance and nature of the audit findings and recommendations.

Financial responsibility for audit disallowances sustained rests with the department, school, or center having primary responsibility for the project on which costs are questioned. Personal liability may be considered and assessed should circumstances show that an audit disallowance stemmed from a result of gross negligence or malfeasance on the part of an employee or staff member.

Related Requirements

• Research Administration Glossary at Carolina
• 2 CFR §200 Subpart F- Audit Requirements

Contact Information

For questions regarding this operating standard and its related procedure, please contact ResAdminOSR@unc.edu.

For questions regarding Pre-Award management or Post-Award administration, please contact the assigned Sponsored Projects Specialist (SPS).

For invoicing, reporting and other financial matters, please contact the assigned Sponsored Projects Accountant. OSR Staff assignments are found in RAMSeS or on the OSR website.

History

The operating standards in the Office of Sponsored Research Operating Standards & Procedures Manual supersede any OSR operating standards, procedures and appendices previously included in the University Business Manual, a publication of UNC-Chapel Hill’s Division of Finance.