Department History

The University established its internal audit function in 1961 with the creation of an Internal Auditor position in the Division of Business and Finance. Initially, the Internal Auditor reported to University’s Business Manager, currently known as the Vice Chancellor for Business and Operations.

In the late 1960s, a Staff Auditor position was added to the internal audit function.  In 1970, the title of the lead auditor was changed to Director of Internal Audit.

Between 1970 and 1975, the addition of other positions brought the size of the Internal Audit function to six individuals – a Director, an Audit Assistant, and four Senior Auditors.  In 1998, one of the Senior Auditor positions was converted to an IT Auditor position.  In 2001, a fifth Senior Auditor position was added.

In 1994, the reporting relationship was changed so that the Director of Internal Audit reported to the Chancellor.

The first Internal Audit Charter was adopted in April 1996.

The first university-wide risk assessment was done in Spring 1995 and a long-range plan and annual audit schedule based on the risk assessment were put into place beginning in the 1996/98 fiscal year. Since then, the risk assessment has been updated each year and a new annual audit schedule developed on the updates. The risk assessment and long-range plans have been formally updated periodically since 1995.

In September 1997, the Director of Internal Audit began attending Board of Trustee meetings. In October 1997, members of the Board of Trustees began receiving copies of internal audit reports.

In 2001, the reporting relationship changed again. The Director of Internal Audit continued to report administratively to the Chancellor but, for functional purposes, reported to the Chairperson of the Finance, Infrastructure, and Audit Committee of the University’s Board of Trustees.

In October 2016, the title for the head of Internal Audit was changed to Chief Audit Officer.

Prior Directors of Internal Audit/Chief Audit Officers

1961 – 1963

Thomas A. Brickhouse

1963 – 1969

William R. Inman

1970 – 1973

Thomas K. Norris3

1973 – 1981

Russell Clark

July-September 1981

Charles C. Antle, Acting

1981 – 1994

Edwin A. Capel, Jr.

September – December 1994

Bruce L. Thomas, Interim

January – September 1995

Grady Fullerton, Interim

September 1995 – January 2019

Phyllis C. Petree

May 2019 - present

Dean A. Weber

From University Archives Collection Number: 40035, Internal Audit Department of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Records, 1969-1987- Historical Information