About RCUK

RCUK consists of seven Research Councils in the UK, each responsible for research Grant funding, and in some cases providing research facilities specific to different areas of science.  The Research Councils are currently benefiting from significant investment from the Government’s Science Budget Allocations (£8.2 Billion over the period 2008-09 to 2010-11), and are setting up a shared services centre for back office support functions, based in Swindon, to ensure the maximum efficient use of government funds in providing high quality research.

About RCIAS

The Research Councils' Internal Audit Service (RCIAS) was formed in 1992 from the separate Internal Audit units previously within each Research Council.  RCIAS has a principal responsibility to each Council’s Chief Executive in helping them meet their responsibilities and accountabilities to Parliament and in providing an annual assurance on governance, risk management and control.

To achieve this we undertake an annual programme of work within each Council which is agreed by respective Chief Executives and their Audit Committees.

Working to standards set by HM Treasury, the annual programmes include a range of services to help managers meet their objectives and maintain adequate control over resources.

RCIAS's role is to:

• provide an independent assurance (hopefully reassurance) to Council Chief Executives on the adequacy and effectiveness of the systems in place designed to minimise the risks to the Councils' operations and achievement of objectives;
• provide a similar audit assurance, on request to senior managers of discrete organisations/operations;
• alert managers to any significant control weaknesses, potential risks, and any identified instances of over-control, significant loss, error or waste;
• provide impartial advice and constructive advice and guidance to line managers on control improvement, design and implementation, on risk management and the resolution or particular problems; and
• carry out other reviews at the request of the Chief Executive, audit Committee or senior management within a Council.

Through fulfilling help others bring about sustainable improvements in management standards and practices throughout the Councils, Institutes and Units.

Who we are

The Internal audit team consists of a mix of auditors and accountants recruited from within the Research Councils, other Government departments or public bodies, and the private sector.

RCIAS staff complement, as approved by the IASB, comprises the Director, 2 Deputy Directors (Audit Managers), 13 Senior Auditors, 2 Trainee Auditors, 1 Consultant and 1 Administrator. The complement includes one supernumerary Senior Auditor post to provide contingency for staff absences, vacancies and additional work that may occur in year.

Within the team we have 12 IIA qualified auditors and 3 fully qualified accountants.  All staff have a core set of key skills which enable them the competently perform audit work within the required areas.

Vision, mission & values

We aim for an ongoing and effective dialogue with our colleagues at all levels within the Research Councils. We encourage customer input prior to, during and after all internal audit work undertaken to ensure that customers obtain maximum benefit from the service provided. The internal audit service is maintained to all professional standards and is delivered to the specific requirements of the Research Councils.

Governance

RCIAS is independent within each Council and the Head of Internal Audit has the right of direct access to each Chief Executive.  This enables RCIAS to operate objectively and independently on all work undertaken.

The work of RCIAS is overseen by the:

• Internal Audit Supervisory Board (IASB); and
• Council Audit Committees.

Internal Audit Supervisory Board (IASB)

Representatives of each of the Councils meet to form the IASB. This body oversees the service provided by RCIAS through measurement against agreed performance measures and indicators. The IASB also consider the procedures adopted by RCIAS to deliver the service, and will consider amendments as necessary.

Council audit committees

Each Council has established an Audit Committee comprising of nominated Council members (in a non-executive capacity) and Directors. These Audit Committees co-ordinate audit activities within their Council and act as a forum for the Head of RCIAS to meet with Council members and senior management, present and discuss issues raised in audit reports and to advise the Accounting Officer of the adequacy of the arrangements in place to meet their responsibilities. Internal Audit plans are endorsed by the Audit Committee and approved by the Chief Executive.

Services

Our primary activity is to review operational systems in line with an annual programme agreed with Council Chief Executives. We also:

• carry out audits targeting the system of greatest risk and to check compliance with central rules, standards or guidance. These are adopted in Institutes, Outstations and Units and follow a relatively common format. The aim is not to look in depth at particular
• systems, but to take a broader look across a range of risk areas;
• look into current issues which may affect risks and controls within the Research Councils

We also provide the following services:

• advice and guidance on:
  • developing systems, controls built in to major new systems or major revisions of existing systems;
  • controls for the prevention and detection of fraud; and
  • initiatives which involve major change where systems and procedures are subject to significant change.
• other compliance reviews required by central or senior managers, e.g. monitoring of research programme management;
• value for money reviews aimed at identifying efficiency savings;
• fraud investigations; and
• project audits, i.e. examination of project and contract management.