Audit Framework

General Principle

Accreditation is not a one-time event. It is a continuing relationship subject to annual audit — financial and digital — with defined remediation ladders and, where necessary, suspension and termination.

The audit framework of WEQSC is the instrument through which the compliance of an accredited school with the WEQSC framework is verified, and through which the integrity of the WISE credential is preserved.

Purpose of the Audit Framework

The audit framework exists to:

• Verify that an accredited school maintains compliance with the standards set out in the Standards and Compliance section of this portal;
• Identify deficiencies and require their remediation within defined periods;
• Preserve the integrity of the WISE credential and the confidence of universities, employers, and regulators in the WISE system;
• Provide an independent assurance to parents, students, and the public that accredited schools meet the standards required of them.

Types of Audit

WEQSC conducts two principal types of audit:

• Financial Audit — The annual external audit of the financial statements of an accredited school, conducted by an approved auditor;
• Digital and Data Audit — The annual audit conducted by WEQSC, assessing the adherence of the school to curriculum, examination, data, and security standards.

Each is described in detail in the relevant page of this section.

The Annual Audit Cycle

The annual audit cycle comprises the following stages:

1. Self-Assessment — The school completes a self-assessment checklist and submits it through the Institution Management Portal;
2. Desk Review — WEQSC reviews the self-assessment and the records of the school;
3. On-Site Inspection — Where required, an inspector visits the school to verify the declarations;
4. Findings — WEQSC issues audit findings, classified as Critical, Major, or Minor;
5. Corrective Action Plan (CAP) — The school submits a CAP setting out how each finding will be addressed, by whom, and by what date;
6. Remediation — The school implements the CAP within the specified period;
7. Verification — WEQSC verifies the remediation;
8. Closure — The finding is closed, or further action is taken in accordance with the suspension and termination regime.

Classification of Findings

Audit findings are classified as follows:

Corrective Action Plan (CAP)

A CAP must set out, for each audit finding:

• The action to be taken;
• The person responsible;
• The date by which the action will be completed;
• The evidence that will be provided to demonstrate completion.

The CAP must be submitted through the Institution Management Portal within thirty days of the date of the audit findings.

Remediation Ladder

Where a finding is not remediated within the specified period, WEQSC may escalate as follows:

1. First Check Notice — For deficiencies identified at the first compliance check;
2. Formal Notice — For a breach identified at audit;
3. Conditional Compliance Period — Ordinarily ninety days, during which the school must implement corrective action under WEQSC oversight;
4. Provisional Accreditation — Where the breach is not remedied within the Conditional Compliance Period;
5. Suspension — Where the breach is serious, repeated, or deliberate;
6. Termination — Where the breach is critical, or where the school fails to remedy a suspension.

Approved Auditors

A financial audit must be conducted by an approved auditor — an independent qualified accountant holding a current practising certificate from a recognised professional accountancy body, appearing on the WEQSC list of approved auditors, and having no material relationship with the school beyond the audit engagement.

Publication of Anonymised Statistics

WEQSC publishes anonymised statistics on system-wide compliance, audit findings, and remediation, in accordance with the Financial Framework page of this portal.

Breach — Consequences

A breach of any provision of this page is subject to the audit regime and, where applicable, to the suspension and termination regime set out in this section.

Conclusion

The audit framework is the instrument through which the compliance of an accredited school with the WEQSC framework is verified. All audit procedures not expressly set out in this portal must follow the Secretariat's official bylaws.