SQA Committees

Audit Committee

The Committee structure that has been established by, and supports the SQA Board, comprises: Audit Committee; Performance Committee; Qualifications Committee; Remuneration Committee.

Audit Committee

This Committee was established by the Board of Management, in accordance with the guidance on Audit Committees within the Scottish Public Finance Manual and has very specific requirements.

It is responsible, on behalf of the Board of Management, to ensure SQA is subject to independent and objective review of financial systems and reporting, to review the effectiveness of internal controls and risk management systems, to ensure compliance with law and codes of conduct and to monitor SQA’s relationship with its auditors.

The SQA Audit Committee:

• provides independent advice and assurance on the efficiency and effectiveness of the internal control, risk management systems and governance
• supports the SQA Board and Accountable Officer with regard to their responsibilities for issues of risk, control, governance and associated assurance through a process of constructive challenge
• ensures that effective arrangements are in place to provide assurances on risk management, in line with the SQA's Assurance Framework, as established in partnership with SQA's Internal Auditors.

The Committee meets at least four times per year.

Performance Committee

Established in February 2019, this Committee was developed to fulfil three primary functions:

• to monitor SQA's progress towards and successful delivery of its corporate objectives
• to monitor the achievement of Best Value in the use of public resources
• to review and support the continued development of key performance indicators for SQA that align with Scottish Government’s National Performance Framework

The Committee comprises of a Convenor and three non-executive Board members who are appointed by the Board.

The Committee may seek to appoint co-opted members in order to add value from specialist skill sets not currently met from within existing membership.

The Committee meets four times a year.

SQA Qualifications Committee

The Qualifications Committee provides strategic, policy and technical advice to the Board and senior officers on SQA’s qualifications and their assessment, quality assurance and awarding systems. It also oversees the work of SQA in developing qualifications that meet the needs of candidates, centres and employers, now and into the future.

This Committee has the ability to co-opt members as part of its membership.

The Committee meets at least five times per year.

SQA Remuneration Committee

The duties of the Remuneration Committee include setting and reviewing the annual performance plan for the Chief Executive and members of the Executive Management Team for each calendar year in advance.

The Remuneration Committee meets at least once a year and reports annually to the Board.