After more than four years as the university’s chief auditor, Trisha Burnett is leaving the University of Oregon to be closer to extended family on the East Coast.

“Being part of building the university’s internal audit office has been exciting and challenging. The staff is now in place and the function is established,” Burnett said of the Office of Internal Audit. “We’ve worked really hard to build relationships across campus and now people know who we are and what we do.” 

The Office of Internal Audit prepares an annual assessment of university operations that assists in developing the audit plan for the coming year. This process, known as a risk assessment, identifies issues that could affect the university’s ability to meet strategic, operational, financial, compliance or other types of objectives.

Burnett will join the rest of her family in her home state of North Carolina later this summer.

“I’m thankful for these years that allowed me to work at this amazing university and with amazing people,” she said.

Her last day is Aug. 20. She previously worked for the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor.

“Trisha has been an integral part in the creation of the UO’s internal audit function. Under her leadership, the office has become a valuable resource for departments across campus,” said President Michael H. Schill. “We will build off that momentum as we search for our next chief auditor.”

Senior Auditor Amy Smith will assume the role of interim chief auditor while a national search is conducted. The chief auditor reports both to the president and the Board of Trustees of the University of Oregon.

“Internal audit is an important function in any organization of the size and complexity of the UO,” said board Chair Chuck Lillis. “The board is exceedingly grateful for Trisha’s leadership and dedication to the functions and principles of internal audit, especially during these early, formative years of the office. We will miss Trisha but wish her well as she returns home to North Carolina.”

The internal audit function was chartered in fall 2014.