Accountability: the accountability framework

Our vision is that higher education institutions (HEIs) should have such excellent governance and management processes that they can easily demonstrate proper accountability for the use of public funds.

Following consultation and development work in 2006-07 we published the framework for the accountability of HEIs to HEFCE. This came into effect in 2008.

The framework

The accountability framework involves three elements:

institutions to submit all of their accountability returns through a single accountability return process, within a one-month period (December)
a streamlined regime of review by our auditors
a programme of data assurance.

These three elements largely determine the risk assessment that we make of each institution.

Our revised financial memorandum with institutions reflects the new framework.

Higher Education Better Regulation Group

We support the principles of better regulation and seek to work in partnership with HEIs to create the best possible regulatory framework. In this, we support the work of the Higher Education Better Regulation Group (HEBRG) and supported the work of its predecessor bodies.

The HEBRG sees regulation as a vital tool in securing confidence in the quality of UK higher education and not an end in itself. The role of the HEBRG is to promote a positive approach to regulation that is transparent, accountable, proportionate, consistent, and targeted where relevant.