Accountability

Universities are accountable for their educational and financial performance including operating in an efficient and effective way. Universities are TEIs[1] and the Crown has an interest in each university’s financial and operational viability, which brings additional requirements including universities’ accountability to Parliament. The section on Crown Interest has detailed information.

In general, the universities are accountable for providing:

• high quality degree and post-graduate level programmes
• programmes aligned with government priorities, as outlined in the Tertiary Education Strategy
• value for money with low residual ownership risk to the Crown.

Universities must meet any accountability and reporting requirements specified under the relevant legislation, our funding information or any funding agreement with us.

Rule MOR106[2] records the situations where TEOs[3] must contact us.

General financial, statistical and other accountability and reporting requirements for universities are specified in Rule GEN002[4], Condition MOR005[5], Condition MOR006[6] and Condition MOR103[7].

 

 

• [1]

  Tertiary education institution (TEI) - universities, ITPs and wānanga

• [2]

  Condition MOR106: Notification of changes in circumstances

  Tertiary education organisations (TEOs) must contact the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) in the following situations:

  • Any loss or damage to records that might affect the TEC’s ability to audit the TEO
  • Changes in circumstances that may impact on funding eligibility
  • Change in circumstances that may affect the TEO's ability to meet the conditions of the Investment Plan agreed with the TEC or the eligibility criteria or conditions related to funding.
• [3]

  Tertiary education organisation (TEO)

• [4]

  Condition GEN002: Eligibility for funding - TEIs

  Tertiary education institutions (TEIs) must submit the following to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) using TEI Financial Monitoring electronic templates, by the dates specified in the Statutory Requirements section of the TEC website:

  • Financial statements
  • Current year budget
  • Three year financial forecasts
  • Such other financial reports as required by the TEC (for example management accounts).
• [5]

  Condition MOR005: TEI requirement for SSP, SDR, qualifications and staffing returns

  Every tertiary education institution (TEI) must:

  • include in the financial statements required under section 41 of the Public Finance Act 1989 a Statement of Service Performance (SSP) of the institution as compared with the institution’s objectives and performance measures and targets specified in the TEI's Plan covering that year. This includes a SSP reporting on Special Supplementary Grants
  • submit Single Data Returns, course and qualification completion returns, and an annual Staffing Return to the Ministry of Education at specified times throughout the calendar year - see Single Data Returns.
• [6]

  Condition MOR006: TEI details of SSP

  Tertiary education institutions (TEIs) must comply with the accountability and reporting requirements as detailed below. This does not limit any accountability and reporting requirements a TEI may have under its Investment Plan agreed with the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC). The TEI must:

  • Supply Statements of Service Performance and financial viability reporting in accordance with sections 203 and 159YC(1) of the Education Act 1989
  • Provide the TEC with a copy of the TEI's Statement of Service Performance reported to the Minister under section 220 of the Education Act 1989.
• [7]

  Condition MOR103: Monitoring - TEI information requirements

  In relation to monitoring, tertiary education institutions (TEIs) must:

  • Make available any financial reports, statistical, or other information necessary to demonstrate compliance with any condition attached to any funding, at the request of the Tertiary Education Commission*
  • Inform learners when they enrol that their records held by the TEI may be accessed for monitoring and evaluative purposes.

  *Note: This may include information about learner enrolment records, attendance, and academic records.