Providing assurance for colleges and universities presents unique challenges from decentralized operations and diverse funding sources to compliance with federal, state, and accreditation requirements.
Higher education institutions face increasing pressure to manage risk, ensure compliance, and demonstrate accountability across complex operational landscapes. TeamMate+ is purpose-built to help internal audit and controls teams in colleges and universities streamline workflows, enhance collaboration, and deliver insights that uphold institutional integrity.
What are common internal audit and controls challenges in higher education?
How TeamMate+ simplifies audit and assurance
TeamMate has focused our innovation on what matters most to teams like yours— streamlining workflows, enhancing collaboration, and delivering insights that support accountability across institutions.
Tools to accelerate performance.
From AI-powered assistance to Multi-Year Audit Planning and dynamic reporting, TeamMate helps your team stay ahead of evolving risks and requirements.
Analytics for deeper insight.
Empower every auditor with TeamMate Analytics to uncover risks across full data sets — not just samples — and improve planning and decision-making.
Configurable to your oversight methodology.
TeamMate+ guides auditors through every step with clarity and consistency, powered by SmartCheck validations and a flexible Business Rules Engine that adapts to your audit approach across institutions.
Alignment with IIA Global Internal Audit Standards.
TeamMate+ makes it easy to align with globally recognized internal audit standards, federal and state compliance regulations, and higher education-specific frameworks to support financial integrity, operational efficiency, and regulatory accountability across all institutional functions.
TeamMate+ streamlines audit and assurance processes, reduces manual effort, and improves visibility—without compromising on compliance to deliver real ROI.
Connect with a TeamMate expert to:
• Unlock the full potential of TeamMate+ with special pricing
available to ACUA members
• Easily procure TeamMate software through cooperative purchasing
agreements like OMNIA Partners and NASPO ValuePoint
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StateRAMP level security for educational institutions
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the biggest challenges facing internal auditors in higher education?Internal auditors in higher education face increasing pressure to manage risk across decentralized campuses, evolving compliance requirements, and limited resources. Common challenges include maintaining audit coverage across multiple departments, aligning with accreditation standards, and ensuring data integrity for student and research systems.
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How do audit and assurance practices differ in higher education compared to other industries?In higher education, audit and assurance must address unique governance structures and compliance requirements. Unlike corporate environments, university auditors often work within decentralized systems and must evaluate internal controls related to academic freedom, student data privacy (FERPA), research grant administration, and federal financial aid compliance. Assurance activities also extend to monitoring adherence to accreditation standards and safeguarding endowment funds, which are less common in other sectors.
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What best practices improve the effectiveness of internal audits in universities?Best practices include adopting a risk-based audit plan, integrating data analytics into audit testing, and maintaining strong collaboration with academic and administrative leadership. Many universities also use audit management software to streamline documentation, reporting, and follow-up tracking.
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How can technology support internal audit teams in higher education?Technology enables higher education auditors to centralize data, automate workflows, and visualize risk trends. Audit management software helps reduce manual reporting, maintain audit trails for accreditation, and improve transparency for boards and trustees.
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What frameworks or standards guide internal auditing in higher education?Internal auditors in higher education often follow the IIA Standards, COSO framework, and NACUBO guidelines. These frameworks provide structure for assessing governance, risk management, and internal controls within academic institutions.
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How can our university strengthen audit and compliance programs?Start with a comprehensive risk assessment, establish clear reporting lines for audit findings, and use automated systems to monitor remediation progress. Partnering with TeamMate+ can help centralize audit data and improve visibility across departments.
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What should we look for in an internal audit management solution for higher education?Look for software that supports configurable workflows, integrates with your ERP or student information system, and aligns with IIA and COSO standards. The best platforms also provide dashboards, secure document storage, and built-in reporting tailored for higher education.