Internal controls are an interesting topic in the corporate environment. They are part of the Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) system which relies on these controls to ensure that risks are under check. This course starts with an introduction to corporate governance and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and goes into the details of risk responses available to management. The course then tackles controls at board and senior management level and looks into the business and reporting cycles. We also cover controls in the purchase and payment cycle, HR and payroll cycle, inventory and production cycle, long term assets life cycle and collection cycle. In addition, the course discusses information systems control, administrative and safety controls, financial reporting controls, physical controls and external reporting controls. Participants are encouraged to share with management the proper measures and controls for the risks at hand.
Course Methodology
The course is based on presentations and examples by the instructor. Participants will also be required to present the results of case studies and exercises.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Define the GRC system
Devise controls that are appropriate for the risks at hand
Implement segregation of duties and internal controls in the accounting department and business cycles
Safeguard information technology systems and data centers
Design and maintain financial controls
Comply with financial and other external reporting requirements
Target Audience
Professionals in the field of finance and accounting, accountants at all levels seeking to enhance practical finance and accounting knowledge, and certified financial and accounting personnel especially accounting managers and controllers.
Target Competencies
Assessing risks and responses
Controling risks assessed
Conforming to governance requirements
Complying with laws and regulations
Implementing controls in business cycles
Analyzing controls and suggesting improvements
Course Outline
The corporate control environment
Corporate Governance
Governance, Risk, Compliance, Controls and Audit
COSO Internal Controls Framework
COSO ERM Framework
Internal control objectives
COSO 17 principles for internal controls
Control Environment
Risk Assessment
Control Activities
Information and Communication
Monitoring Activities
COSO on Control Monitoring advantages
Definition of Control
Controls at BOD Level
4 control objectives on a transaction level
Reason Model for Error Trajectory
Nature of Control
Control Deficiencies
Implementing controls in business cycles
Characteristics of effective controls
The control process
Reporting in Business Cycles
Approvals and Authorizations in Business Cycles
Controls in purchase and payment cycle
Controls in inventory and costing cycle
Controls in HR and payroll cycle
Controls in sales and collection cycle
Controls in fixed assets life cycle
Admin controls for IT and facility
Safeguarding data
Access to communication systems
Security reports
Controlling access to building
Controls on maintenance and repairs
Safety and security controls
Legal implications on some safety measures
Required reporting in administration
Financial controls
Controlling access to financial assets
Controls on financial reporting
Controls through budgets
Controls through management reporting
Implementing financial controls through policies and procedures