TECHNIQUES OF INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEM
There are two types of techniques used in internal control system Preventive internal control techniques
and Detective internal control techniques controls. Both types of internal control techniques are essential to
an effective internal control system. From a quality standpoint, preventive controls techniques are essential
because they are proactive and emphasize quality. However, detective controls techniques play a critical role by
providing evidence that the preventive controls techniques are functioning as intended
Preventive Controls techniques are designed to discourage errors or irregularities from occurring. They are proactive in nature that helps to ensure departmental objectives are being met. Examples of preventive controls techniques are:
1. Segregation of Duties: Duties are segregated among different people to reduce the risk of error or inappropriate action. Normally, responsibilities for authorizing transactions (approval), recording transactions (accounting) and handling the related asset (custody) are divided.
2. Approvals, Authorizations, and Verifications: Management authorizes employees to perform certain activities and to execute certain transactions within limited parameters. In addition, management specifies those activities or transactions that need supervisory approval before they are performed or executed by employees. A supervisor’s approval (manual or electronic) implies that he or she has verified and validated that the activity or transaction conforms to established policies and procedures.
3. Security of Assets (Preventive and Detective): Access to equipment, inventories, securities, cash and other assets is restricted; assets are periodically counted and compared to amounts shown on control records.
Detective Controls techniques are designed to find errors or irregularities after they have occurred. Examples of detective controls techniques are:
1. Reviews of Performance: Management compares information about current performance to budgets, forecasts, prior periods, or other benchmarks to measure the extent to which goals and objectives are being achieved and to identify unexpected results or unusual conditions that require follow-up.
2. Reconciliations: An employee relates different sets of data to one another, identifies and investigates differences, and takes corrective action, when necessary.
3. Physical Inventories
4. Internal Audits