NGCSU hires internal auditor

DAHLONEGA - North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU) has appointed Jill Holman to the new position of director of internal audit.

Internal auditing provides independent review of controls and governance processes to improve the institution's operations. Holman will provide consultative services to all areas of the university to assure appropriate controls and best practices.

Holman becomes the university's first internal auditor and reports to the university's president.

"Internal auditors are very helpful to an organization's success because of the systematic approach they bring to operational issues like risk assessment and regulatory compliance," said Dr. Bonita C. Jacobs, president of North Georgia College & State University. "The University System of Georgia (USG) highly recommends that schools of our size have internal auditors, and Jill's efforts will enhance our work, particularly as we grow through consolidation with Gainesville State College in January."

North Georgia and Gainesville State were among just a few USG institutions without an internal auditor. Pending approval of the two schools' consolidation in January, the schools will form the University of North Georgia, which will be the system's seventh-largest university.

As internal auditor, Holman will provide objective appraisals of departments and their operations and processes to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, the university's adopted policies and standards, and sound business ethics.

"My role with North Georgia will be to examine departments and ensure proper procedures and policies are being followed, and to determine possible areas of improvement," Holman said. "Each year, I will perform an assessment to create an audit plan based on risk levels, which will aid the university in preventing problems."

Holman graduated from North Georgia in 1992 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in accounting. She began working for BB&T while in college, and, during her 23-year-career with the company, she focused on internal audit and operations in accounting, human resources and payroll.

"I am very glad to be returning to North Georgia, and look forward to my new role within the university," Holman said.