Chris Cavanaugh, Director of Internal Audit
E-mail address: chris.cavanaugh@wichita.edu
Direct telephone and voice mail: 316-978-5823
As the Director of Internal Audit at Wichita State, Chris Cavanaugh has a 30-year track record of providing internal audit services to WSU's presidents, vice presidents, deans, directors, and department chairs. Mr. Cavanaugh began his appointment in 1991 under President Warren Armstrong and has since worked under five other presidents, including WSU's current president, Dr. Rick Muma.
Cavanaugh explains that internal auditing involves both assurance and consulting components. Confidence that information is reliable, a process is working effectively, or a compliance requirement is satisfied. If it's not, how can we work together to improve matters? He garners immense satisfaction from collaborating with others to solve problems, enabling them to focus on their unit's primary objectives.
Cavanaugh earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from Pittsburg State University. He gained his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) credential soon after graduation and later his Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) credential. The additional knowledge and skills required to pass the CFE exam deepened his understanding of risks and control processes.
Before coming to WSU, Mr. Cavanaugh worked eight years as an internal auditor for the Farm Credit Bank of Wichita, advancing to Associate Vice President for Internal Audit. He gained his initial auditing experience with a large public accounting firm for three years.
Cavanaugh grew up in the west Wichita suburb of Goddard. A Shocker fan at a young age, he regularly listened to WSU football and basketball games on the radio, going to games with his dad or friends whenever he could. He still resides in Goddard, where he and his wife, Mary Kay, raised four children. They enjoy long walks with their dog Bailey on the "rails to trails" path near their home.
Wichita State University is a member of the Association of College and University Auditors.