Enables management to carry out the business in an orderly and efficient manner. Internal controls lay out the various procedures to be followed in conducting the affairs of the organisation. E.g. There will be procedures laying out the procedures to be followed in procuring raw materials- Ensures adherence to management policies
- prevention and detection of fraud and error
- Safeguard the company’s assets
- Some controls are designed specifically to ensure the assets of the company are protected from theft, destruction and that they are used in the best interest of the company.
- This can either be directly through physical locking up or indirectly through recording. It includes assessing assets and ensuring that any access is authorised. Also ensure that accuracy and completeness of accounts is maintained.
- ICS help in ensuring completeness and accuracy of the records maintained. The company’s Act requires that a company keep proper books of accounts. These records are the basis for the preparation of the financial statements.
- Strong internal controls help in preventing and detecting errors and frauds. The responsibility for the prevention and detection of fraud and error rests with management. This is achieved through the implementation and continuous operation of an adequate system of internal controls. Such a system reduces but does not eliminate the possibility of fraud and error.
- For the auditor a good system justifies a reduction in the level of substantive testing but does not eliminate it fully.
