Severns Earns National Certification

VALDOSTA -- Valdosta State University Director of Internal Audits Jeanne Severns recently attained the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) designation of Certified Internal Auditor -- the only globally accepted certification for internal auditors and the standard by which individuals demonstrate their competency and professionalism in the internal auditing field.

The IIA -- which serves as the internal audit profession's global voice, recognized authority, acknowledged leader, chief advocate and principal educator -- provides dynamic leadership for the global profession of internal auditing. Candidates for its certification program must meet certain ethical, educational and experience qualifications and pass a four-part examination demonstrating a proficiency in internal auditing and an understanding of other business disciplines and management skills.

As the director of Internal Audits, Severns works with stakeholders at VSU and the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents to evaluate risk exposures at VSU in relation to the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, reliability and integrity of financial and operational information, safeguarding of assets, and compliance with laws, regulations and contracts.

“VSU’s Department of Internal Audits has grown substantially,” said Severns, who took her position with VSU in July 2005. “It is essential that VSU remains at the cutting-edge of internationally recognized standards in the Internal Audit profession. Attaining the designation not only demonstrates my commitment to the profession, but also the commitment our team has made to the University and its culture of continuous improvement."

VSU's Department of Internal Audits collaborates with various campus groups to achieve objectives through systematic, disciplined approaches to evaluating and improving the effectiveness of operations, risk management, control and governance processes. VSU's internal auditors provide recommendations for improvement in areas where opportunities or deficiencies are identified. While management is responsible for internal controls, the internal audit activity provides assurance to management, the president and the board that internal controls are effective and working as intended.

For more information, visit the internal audits online at www.valdosta.edu/audits or the Institute of Internal Auditors at www.theiia.org .