Settlement Internal Audit Unit

The Internal Audit Unit (IAU) of the OPA was established as an autonomous and independent unit by decision of the 7th Meeting of the Rector's Council on 16/12/2022 for the academic year 2022-2023, which was published in the Government Gazette, vol. B, no. 6990/31-12-2022. It operates at the departmental level, reports directly to the Rector of the University of Piraeus, and performs internal audit functions.

The Internal Audit Unit operates at the departmental level, reports directly to the Rector of the University of Piraeus, and performs internal audit functions.

By adopting a systematic, professional approach to evaluating and improving the effectiveness of the risk management procedures of the Internal Audit System and the governance procedures of the University of Piraeus, contributes to the fulfillment of the mission and the achievement of the strategic objectives of the University, acting in the public interest.

The work of the Internal Audit Department

The mission of the Internal Audit Department is to improve the functioning of the internal control system of the University of Piraeus with the aim of: a) enhancing its effectiveness and efficiency, b) its reliability, and c) supporting the OPA in achieving its strategic objectives through reasonable assurance as to the efficiency and effectiveness of governance, risk management, and control systems and procedures.

The Internal Audit Unit exercises the powers of Article 10 of Law 4795/2021 (A' 62). In particular, the Unit's powers are:

a) assessing the adequacy and suitability of the internal control system in the administrative services, as well as in the academic, research, and other structures and units of the OPA,

b) drafting internal audit manuals,

c) assessing the operation and activities of the OPA based on the principle of sound financial management and transparency,

d) evaluating the planning, implementation, and evaluation procedures of operations and programs,

e) ensuring the proper, effective, and secure management and use of the OPA's information systems,

f) preparing an internal audit program for the administrative, academic, research, and service units and structures of the OPA, taking into account the strategic planning of the Institution,

g) conducting scheduled and unscheduled audits of the administrative services, academic, research, and other structures and units of the OPA and preparing audit reports,

h) submitting periodic reports to the Rector and the Administrative Council on the compliance of the services with the recommendations of the internal audits,

i) drafting an annual report recording the activities and results of the internal audit, the progress made in implementing its recommendations, the residual risks and their assessment due to the non-implementation of corrective actions. The annual report is accompanied by an opinion submitted to the Rector, in accordance with

(k) providing consulting services to the services, structures, and units of the OPA,

(l) providing consulting projects on all services, structures and units of the OPA with the aim of improving their efficiency and effectiveness, risk assessment that threatens the achievement of the objectives of the individual services of the OPA and internal control procedures,

(m) monitoring, evaluating, and confirming the corrective or improvement actions taken by each service, structure, and unit of the OPA in accordance with the internal audit recommendations, until their final implementation.

The Internal Audit Department of the OPA exercises its powers, in addition to the administrative services, as well as the academic, research, and other units and structures of the OPA, in the Special Research Fund Account (ELKE), the Asset Management and Utilization Company, the University Research Institutes, and other bodies or entities related to the OPA, in accordance with the applicable legislation and the regulatory framework governing each body or entity.

Staffing of the MEE

The MEE is headed by an OPA employee from all PE branches who meets at least the qualifications specified in paragraph 8 of Article 9 of Law 4795/2021. The current Deputy Head of the Internal Audit Department has received Internal Auditor Competence Certification for the Public Sector from the National Centre for Public Administration and Local Government (Certification Code 11.10.741.201). Useful Links: Internal Audit Department Operating Regulations

Useful Links: Internal Audit Department Operating Regulations  -  Code of Ethics for Internal Auditors  

Institutional Framework: Law 4795/2021 - Law 4957/2022   - International Standards