Independent Audit Committee

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Independent Audit Committee (IAC) was established as per the Government of Canada’s  Policy on Internal Audit. Its fundamental role is to provide objective advice and recommendations to the President regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of NSERC’s risk management, control and governance frameworks, and processes. In order to give this support to the President, the IAC exercises oversight of core areas of NSERC management, control and accountability, including reporting. This is done in an integrated, risk-focused and systematic way.

The composition of the IAC includes:

• three external independent members who are not part of the federal public service;
• the President of NSERC; and
• the Chair of Council.

The Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Audit Executive are expected to attend all meetings of the IAC. NSERC’s Executive Vice-President is a permanent guest of the committee. The Chair of the Independent Audit Committee may invite or request the attendance of other NSERC management members.

The Independent Audit Committee will hold four meetings annually in order to carry out its mandate.

The responsibilities, membership and operation of audit committees is outlined in the Government of Canada’s  Directive on Departmental Audit Committees.

Independent Audit Committee Members