Let’s face it, dealing with internal controls from time to time can be a headache and can certainly get out of hand. The power of an organized internal control structure yields a plethora of benefits in terms of cost efficiency, reduced workload, fewer headaches, and happier employees – You know what they say, Organized People Play™.
Tags: Internal Controls, segregation of duties, control reduction, SOX, auditing standards, audit costs, Controls Testing, SOX Compliance Made Simple, internal audit, Process Improvement, software, sox compliance, internal control, Sarbanes-Oxley, Vibato, audit scope, internal control tips
Tags: Internal Controls, Controls Testing, Internal Control Education, internal control tips, Internal Control Deficiency
Google SAS 104-115 and you will find mostly articles by us (Vibato) discussing the need for auditors to pay special attention to internal controls as part of their audit. Why? Because the AICPA & the PCAOB dictates standards that the auditors must adhere to in order to perform their audits. Parts of these requirements include reviewing your internal controls and this applies to ANY COMPANY THAT IS AUDITED – public, private, non-profit; it doesn’t matter. If you are audited, your auditors must look at your internal controls as part of your audit. If you do not have any documented internal controls then be prepared for a higher audit bill because your auditors will have to go looking for internal controls at your company on your dime year-over-year. Moreover, due to independence issues, they are not allowed to share their work with you to use going forward so they will do this work each year and all you will see for it is a higher bill. Period.
Tags: PCAOB News & Information, financial risk, Accounting Tip of the Day, 404, audit, AICPA, Controls Testing, 10k, Internal Control Education
We are often asked how long company's must keep their internal controls documentation and when we tell them, we are often met with shocked stares but here is your answer:
Tags: Internal Controls, financial risk, Controls Testing, personal risk, compliance
Determining a correct sample size is an important first step in your internal controls testing efforts. Below is Vibato's approach to sample size determination, which we've used with great success for years.This approach has been vetted with all Big 4 and most regional external auditing firms.
