Business Details
Expert Audit & Consultancy Services for Higher Education Institutions
Uniac has established itself as a leading provider of audit and consultancy services tailored specifically to the higher education sector. With decades of combined experience, our team delivers expert-led assurance solutions that address the unique challenges faced by universities and educational institutions. Our approach combines sector-specific knowledge with rigorous methodologies to ensure compliance, risk mitigation, and operational excellence. We work collaboratively with clients to map financial systems, enhance governance frameworks, and implement robust internal controls. Our commitment to best practices is evidenced by our recognition from the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors, where we achieved the highest grading in external quality assessments.By maintaining deep relationships across the sector, we benchmark performance and share insights from emerging risks and regulatory expectations. Our flexible service delivery model adapts to evolving institutional needs, whether through programme assurance, equality and diversity audits, or digital transformation initiatives. This client-centric approach has earned us long-standing partnerships with research-intensive universities and smaller specialist institutions alike. Through regular briefing notes and benchmarking exercises, we provide ongoing value beyond individual audit engagements. Our expertise extends to areas such as UK Visas and Immigration compliance, apprenticeship delivery audits, and sustainability reporting frameworks.
Services
Risk Management
Financial Audits
Cyber Governance
Equality Audits
Digital Transformation
Compliance Assurance
Governance Reviews
Data Protection
Grant Audits
Sustainability Reporting
Highlights and features
- We have extensive experience in the higher education sector
- Our team provides tailored audit solutions for universities
- We maintain the highest standards of accreditation
- Our flexible approach adapts to evolving institutional needs
- We offer sector-specific insights through regular benchmarking
Associations and certifications
- Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors
What people say
Experienced team
Deep sector understanding
Flexible approach
High standards maintained
Valuable benchmarking insights
Services
Risk Management and Assurance
Our risk management and assurance services help universities identify, assess, and mitigate institutional risks. We provide comprehensive audits of financial systems, governance frameworks, and operational processes. Our approach combines sector-specific knowledge with proven methodologies to enhance decision-making and regulatory compliance.
Cyber and Information Governance
We help educational institutions strengthen their information governance frameworks and cybersecurity measures. Our consultants assess data protection practices, implement compliance strategies, and enhance digital infrastructure resilience against emerging threats while maintaining regulatory standards.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Our EDI services evaluate institutional policies and practices to promote inclusive environments. We conduct thorough assessments of diversity initiatives, recommend improvements to accessibility frameworks, and ensure compliance with equality legislation across all university operations.
Digital and Digital Transformation
We support universities in their digital transformation journeys by assessing technology infrastructure, evaluating digital service delivery, and identifying opportunities to enhance operational efficiency through strategic technology implementation across academic and administrative functions.
Governance and Compliance
Our governance services ensure institutions maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. We review governance structures, assess policy effectiveness, and provide recommendations to strengthen institutional accountability frameworks and improve transparency standards.
People
Patrick Hackett
Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer
With extensive leadership experience in higher education, Patrick Hackett oversees institutional operations at the University of Manchester, focusing on strategic governance and risk management frameworks.
Andrew Hewitt
Chief Financial Officer
Andrew Hewitt leads financial strategy at Manchester Metropolitan University, working closely with assurance partners to maintain robust financial controls and compliance standards across institutional operations.
Rob Holmes
Executive Director, Finance, Audit and Risk
Rob Holmes manages financial governance and risk strategy at Falmouth University, implementing flexible audit approaches that adapt to evolving institutional requirements and sector challenges.
Rich Watson
Chief Operating Officer
As COO at Arts University Plymouth, Rich Watson focuses on operational excellence, valuing sector insights and regulatory expertise that enhance institutional governance and strategic decision-making processes.
Questions
What specialist services do you offer for universities?
We provide risk management, governance audits, digital transformation reviews, equality and diversity assessments, and compliance assurance tailored specifically to higher education institutions.
How do you support institutions with regulatory compliance?
Through comprehensive audits of governance frameworks, financial systems, and operational processes to ensure alignment with current regulations and sector best practices.
Can you assist with cyber security and data governance?
Yes, we offer cyber and information governance services to strengthen digital infrastructure and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.
How do you adapt to different institutional needs?
Our flexible approach allows us to tailor audit programmes to match each institution's size, complexity, and specific regulatory requirements.
What value do you add beyond audit reports?
We provide sector insights, benchmarking data, and regular briefing notes on emerging risks and regulatory expectations across higher education.
How do you maintain audit quality standards?
Our external quality assessment by the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors confirmed our adherence to the highest professional standards in audit delivery.
