According to AAS-6 (Revised) entitled, “Risk Assessment and Internal Control”, the system of internal control may be defined as “the plan of organization and all the methods and procedures adopted by the management of an entity to assist in achieving management’s objective of ensuring, as far as practicable, the orderly and efficient conduct of its business, including adherence to management
policies, the safeguarding of assets, prevention and detection of fraud and error, the accuracy and completeness of the accounting records, and the timely preparation of reliable financial information. The system of internal control extends beyond those matters which relate directly to the functions of the accounting system. The internal audit function constitutes a separate component of internal control with
the objective of determining whether other internal controls are well designed and properly operated.” Objectives of Internal Control : AAS-6 lists the following objectives of internal control in relation to an accounting systems :
- transactions are executed in accordance with managements general or specific authorization;
- all transactions are promptly recorded in the correct amount in the appropriate accounts and in the accounting period in which executed so as to permit preparation of financial information within a framework of recognized accounting policies and practices and relevant statutory requirements, if any, and to maintain accountability for assets;
- assets are safeguarded from unauthorised access, use or disposition; and
- the recorded assets are compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with regard to any differences.
