The head of the General Syndicate of the Nation (SIGEN), Miguel Blanco, reported that audits have been scheduled for university accounts, starting with the faculties of the University of Buenos Aires (UBA), one of the largest institutions that is behind in submitting financial reports. Blanco mentioned that priority will be given to universities with larger budgets, including the rector in the process.
Blanco expressed that university institutions are receiving SIGEN's audit favorably, as they believe it helps improve their processes and provides training to internal audit units. Preliminary reports are expected to be ready in approximately a month. He highlighted the importance of transparency in universities as a necessary example for society.
The audits in UBA's faculties will begin this week, following a series of special requests from the institution's president, Javier Milei. Blanco mentioned that the team responsible for auditing universities is being restructured and a schedule will be established due to the impossibility of auditing all 60 universities simultaneously.
The auditing process will start with those universities that have not submitted reports in recent years. Upon detecting irregularities, the information will be cross-checked with the relevant authorities to avoid conflicts of interpretation. If problems are confirmed, reports will be forwarded to the Anti-Corruption Office and the Office of Administrative Investigations.
Blanco mentioned that the internal audit work of universities will be evaluated and if internal control issues without economic impact are detected, corrections will be recommended. In contrast, cases involving embezzlement of funds will be reported. The procedure will include a review of internal processes, identification of financial controls, and an evaluation of their effectiveness.
The reports resulting from the audits will be discussed with university authorities and then submitted to the relevant government bodies. Miguel Blanco has suggested that UBA will likely be one of the first institutions audited in this accounting review process.
