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APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
AUDITING IN COMPUTER ENVIRONMENT
What is audit in a computer environme
nt?
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
AUDITING IN COMPUTER ENVIRONMENT
Approaches Auditing around the computer
Auditing through the Computer
Auditing with the computer
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
AUDITING IN COMPUTER ENVIRONMENT
Use of computer of audit automation Working Papers Statistical sampling and
analytical procedures
Decision Support System;
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
AUDITING IN COMPUTR ENVIRONMENT
Types of software on PC in order to aid his audit work Standard software for word processing ,
spreadsheets Expert systems.
Generally, an auditor can use his PC to assist for Production of time budget and budgetary
control . Analytical procedures. The maintenance of permanent file
information
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
AUDITING IN COMPUTER ENVIROMENT
The computer systems challenges lack of visible evidence and
systematic errors. What to do? techniques available to him, The internal controls, the availability of the data the length of time it is retained in a
readily usable form.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
AUDITING IN COMPUTER ENVIRONMENT
Controls over audit computersSecurity, and Accuracy (of input,
processing and output). The auditor should exercise controls when PCs are used by auditor in their work are as follows:
Access controls for users by means of passwords
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
AUDITING IN COMPUTER ENVIRONMENT
Controls over audit computersBack up of data contained on files,
regular production of hard copy; back-up disks held off the premises.
Viral protection for programs and Training users.
Evaluation and testing of programs use 6.Proper recording of input data , to ensure reasonableness of output.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
INTERNAL CONTROLS IN CIS
The internal control over computer based accounting system
Application controls
General controls
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
INTERNAL CONTROLS IN CIS
The internal control over computer based accounting system Application controls:
The objective of application controls (manual or programmed) are to Ensure completeness and
accuracy of accounting records validity of entries made resulting
from both manual and programmed processing.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
INTERNAL CONTROLS IN CIS
The internal control over computer based accounting system
General controls; relates to the environment CIS
are developed, maintained and operated, and which are therefore applicable to all the applications.
The objectives of general controls are .
The application controls and general controls are inter-related. Strong general controls contribute to assurance, which may be obtained by an auditor in relation
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
INTERNAL CONTROLS IN CIS
The specific requirements in order to achieve the overall objectives of application controls are:- Control over the completeness and
authorization of input Control over the completeness and
accuracy of processing Control over the maintenance of master
files and the standing data contained therein
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
INTERNAL CONTROLS IN CIS
In order to achieve the overall objective of general controls, the controls required are:- Control over applications development To prevent or detect unauthorized changes to
programs To ensure that all programs changes are adequately
tested and documented Control to prevent and detect errors during program
execution To prevent unauthorized amendments to data files To ensure that system software is properly installed
and maintained To ensure that proper documentation is kept To ensure continuity of operations.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
COMPUTER ASSISTED AUDIT TECHNIQUES (CAATs)
Definition Techniques in that the auditors are
afforded opportunities to use either the enterprises or another computer to assist them in performance of audit work.
CAATs, are ways in which the auditor may use the computer in a computerized information system to gather, or assist in gathering, audit evidence.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CATEGORIES OF CAAT
Audit softwareTest dataOther techniques
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CATEGORIES OF CAAT
Audit software: generalized audit softwarespecialized audit software or
Interrogation softwaresutility programs and existing entity programs.
Regardless of the source of the programs, the auditor should substantiate their validity for audit purposes prior to use.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CATEGORIES OF CAAT
Audit software some usesStratify accounting population and
select monetary unit statistical samples.
Carry out an aging /usage analysis of stocks
Perform detailed analytical reviews of financial statements
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
TYPES OF CAATs
Test data Is a CAAT in which test data
prepared by the auditor is processed on the current production version of the client's software, but separately from the client's normal input data.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
TYPES OF CAATs
Other techniques embedded audit facilities
Integrated test facility System Review and control file
( SCARF) Application program examination
Internal control evaluation via; Flowchart verification (Logical Path analysis ) ,Program code verification (Code Comparison Programs), Printout examination.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CAATs and Sustentative testing
During substantive testing some, CAATs are used frequently. Audit software is used extensively to
examine accounting records maintained on computer files
CAATs assists in carrying out analytical review procedures
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
Limits of CAATs
Limits of CAATs Evaluation of general controls
Use ICQ or the ICE approach.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
PROGRAM AUTHENTICITYSource Program authenticity
guarantee that the correct application program is being tested.“Live test” data, integrated test
facilities and embedded audit facilities as described above are audit techniques, which help in this respect.
General controlsCopy must be identical to orignal
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
KNOWLEDGE BASED SYSTEM
Knowledge based systemsDecision Support Systems and
Expert systems can be used to assist with the auditors own judgment and decisions.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
MANUAL Vs CAATs
Factors to consider in choosing between CAATs and manual Techniques:-
Practicability of carrying out audit tests manually Cost effectiveness of the procedures under
considerations. Availability of audit time The availability of appropriate computer facilities and
independence issue The level of audit experience and expertise. The extent of possible reliance upon internal audit
work
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
PLANNING AN AUDIT IN A COMPUTER ENVIRONMENT
Planning an audit in a Computer environmentPossibilities of attending during
system development stageConsideration of use of CAATsPracticability of manual auditExpertise
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
PLANNING AN AUDIT IN A COMPUTER ENVIRONMENT
Use of CAATS The pattern cost associated with CAATs, The extent of tests of controls or substantive
procedures achieved by both alternatives, Ability to incorporate within the use of CAAT a
number of different audit tests. Time of reporting
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
PLANNING AN AUDIT IN A COMPUTER ENVIRONMENT
In using CAAT, computer facilities, computer files
and programs are available; the auditors should plan the use of
CAAT in good time so that these copies are retained for their use.
Internal auditor CAATs , consider ISA Availability of computer facilities
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
INTERNAL CONTROL EVALUATION
Internal control evaluation ICQ . Weak controls = extensive
substantive procedures In determining whether they wish to
place reliance on application controls or general controls ,the auditors will be influenced by the cost effectiveness and ease of testing by the following matters
General controls and application controls
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
INTERNAL CONTROL EVALUATION
Check systematic errors and program intergrityManual examination may be useful in
small computer applicationObservation, examination of
documentary evidence or reperforming the procedures may be useful.CAATs can also be useful
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
Review of financial statements
Review of financial statements CAATs (audit software)
e.g analytical review. The working papers should indicate the
work performed by CAAT, the auditors conclusion, the manner in which any technical problems were resolved and may include any recommendations about modification of CAAT for future audits.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
AUDIT TRAIL.
Audit trail.
As the complexity of computer systems has increased there has been a corresponding loss of audit trail. Most systems have searching facilities that are much quicker to use than searching through print outs by hand.
This offsets the so- called loss of “audit trail” to a significant extent. The trail is still there, although it may have to be followed through in electronic form.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
COMPUTER SERVICE BUREAUX
These are third part service organization who provide EDP facilities to their clients
Factor to consider make or buy decisions Consider and Analyze the cost benefit; Level of management’s own computing
knowledge and their willingness to take risk to unknown third party;
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
COMPUTER SERVICE BUREAUX
Factors to consider The volume and frequency of processing
requirements ; The complexity of the program package
required ;The simpler the program the easier it would be to process in – house on Micro;
The importance of timelines in processing of data check the efficiency and economy of DP
The confidentiality of the data being processed.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
Types of Bureaux
Independent companies formed to provide specialist computer services
Computer manufacturers with bureau
Computer users (e.g. universities)
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
PLANNING AND CONTROL EXERCISED BY THE USER
When the system using bureaux is set up it is essential that
a full feasibility study and system design should be carried
out.
In practice the bureau may provide assistance in performing these tasks.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
PLANNING AND CONTROL EXERCISED BY THE USER
The control should include : Prior vetting of bureau standards ; Input controls at preparer’s end; bunching
and providing or authorizing in the same way as usual;
Transit controls ;Physical transfer of documents ;
batch controls ,physical security and authorized personnel;
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
PLANNING AND CONTROL EXERCISED BY THE USER
The control should include : Electronic transmission of data ;batch totals,
passwords and possibly encryption coding for very sensitive data;
Control over and action on rejection; there must be strong control over the level of rejections; whose fault, the bureaus or ours?;
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
COMPUTER SERVICE BUREAUX
Output controls :logging /registering receipt of output material and original documentation ,distribution and filing; Master file amendment controls; suggested control include the usual use of pre-numbered properly authorized forms. Special control of periodic print out of all master file amendments;
Adequate insurance covering loss of data or documents and computer breakdown at the bureau itself ;The external auditor review of bureau controls ;
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
COMPUTER SERVICE BUREAUX
A third party review –an independent firm to carry out review of internal controls, both the general and application based. The report is then made available to the auditors of clients of the bureaus. This saves the bureau having to make provision for many different sets of auditors all asking to run CAATs on the bureaux system and complete roughly similar ICQ/ICE forms.
Direct evaluation of the bureau by the auditor using the CAATs , ICQ and ICE.;
Standby /back up /emergency arrangement ;
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
COMPUTER SERVICE BUREAUX
The compliance and substantive testing of programmed procedures, the CAATs such as discussed above are appropriate where the client has the data and files on the premises. They may not be possible in context of the computer service bureau. The client may have to arrange to have files copied by the bureau or supplied to the auditor for testing.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CONTROLS IN ON-LINE AND REAL TIME SYSTEMS
Controls in real time systems The main control problem is that primarily the
concern is on large, multi–user systems with terminals (dumb terminals or networked PCs) ;The same person is often responsible for producing and processing the same information. Internal check ,supervisory controls should be strengthened (segregation of duties) ;The ability of a person using remote terminal to gain access to databases at will results in the need for special controls to ensure that files are neither read nor written to (nor destroyed).
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CONTROLS IN ON-LINE AND REAL TIME SYSTEMS
Physical controls; Operating system; Use passwords( or lockwords)
or special badges or key; Restriction by the operating system of a certain users to certain files .eg wages dept can be given access to only wages file; Logging of all attempted violation of the above controls .eg Automatic shut down of the PC or terminal used; All violations should be speedily and thoroughly investigated
Application controls; Validity checks on input; Reporting of unusual transactions; Passwords
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (DBMS)
Main controls; Control to prevent or detect unauthorized changes to programs; No access to live program file by any personnel
except for the operation personnel at the central computer; Password protection on programs;Restricted access to the central computer and terminal ;Maintenance of console; Periodic comparison of live production programs to control copies and supporting documentation.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (DBMS)
Main controls; Controls to prevent or detect error during operation; Restriction of access to terminals by use of
password; Satisfactory application control over input , processing and master file ;Use of operation manuals and training all users;Maintenance of logs showing unauthorized attempts to access; Physical protection over data files ;Training in emergency procedures
Controls to ensure integrity of the database system; Restriction of access to data dictionary
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
DATABASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS (DBMS)
Controls to ensure integrity of the database system; Restriction of access to data dictionary( point of definition and interrelationship of data); Segregation of duties between data processing manager and data base administration personnel; Liaison between database administration function and systems development personnel ;Preparation and update as necessary of user manual in conjunction with data dictionary
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
DATA BASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
The audit of DBMS creates particular problems as the two principal CAATs , test data and audit software, tend to work unsatisfactorily on programs and files contained within such system. The auditor may, however, be able to use embedded audit facilities. Close liaison with the internal auditor may provide audit comfort. The auditors should if possible be involved at the evaluation, design and development stages, so that they are able to determine their audit requirements and identify control problems before implementation.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
SMALL COMPUTER SYSTEM
Control problems in small computer systems
The problems surrounding PC’s can be grouped as ; Lack of planning over the acquisition
and use of PCs; Lack of documentary evidence ; Lack of security and confidentiality.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
COMPUTER FRAUD
Input fraud : Processing fraud; Fraudulent use of computer
system; Output fraud;
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
FACTORS- RISK TO COMPUTER FRAUD
Increase in computer literacy – Communications e.g. telephone and
PCs and hackers Reduction of internal Improvements in quality of software and
increase in implementation of good software has not kept pace with improvements in hard ware
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
COUNTERACT COMPUTER FRAUD
Planned approach to counteract computer fraud. All staff should be properly trained and should
fully appreciate their role in computer function Management policy on fraud should be clear
and firm A study should be carried to examine where the
company is exposed to possible fraud A company should map out an approach or plan
in each area of the business to tackle and prevent fraud.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CONTROLS TO PREVENT COMPUTER FRAUDS
As with a control system, three areas to examine are; prevention, detection and correction Access to the computer terminals and other parts of the
computer should be restricted Access to sensitive areas of the system should be logged
and monitored Errors logs and reports should be monitored and
investigated on regular basis Staff recruitment should include careful vetting ,include
taking up all references Expert systems software may be used to monitor unusual
transactions
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
DEVELOPMENTS IN COMPUTERIZED ENVIRONMENT
Many auditors are now finding their clients conducting business through the internet. As always, the principle audit concern , will be controls over the use of the internet and the strength of audit evidence obtained through the internet
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
INTERNET
Controls over the Internet Unauthorized use of the internet Staffs may use internet for unauthorized
purchases Staff may use internet for accessing data
which have a costs (call) People may be able to access “business “
internal systems via the internet and obtain confidential information or launch virus which disrupts internal systems
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CONTROLS IN INTERNET…
Controls from these risks include Use of passwords, Disabling certain terminals – Firewalls – Authorization the technique make sure that a
message has come from an authorized sender
Virus control software –regular updating Physical controls ;against fire, damage etc
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
AUDIT EVIDENCE IN THE INTERNET
Audit evidence in the Internet Certain general observations can be made about
audit evidence obtained through the Internet Internet evidence generated by the auditor will be
stronger than evidence generated by client. Comfort may be obtained if the auditor can access the internet and test what the client has posted
Internet evidence can be obtained in written form and thus stronger than oral evidence
If the internal controls mentioned above are strong ,the auditors will have more confidence in the quality of evidence
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
WHAT ABOUT E-MAIL?
Email may have numerous advantages in reducing office paperwork and speeding up communication, but it also has dangers from an audit point of view. e.g. unscrupulous employee in a large organization might find it quite easy to send and e-mail from his or her boss’s computer authorizing a substantial bonus /payrise
H/W; what controls could you put to prevent this from happening
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CONTROL IN INTERNET SYSTEM
Control of network system is of uttermost importance .the auditors must be able to analyse the risk of unauthorized access such as line tapping or interception and to evaluate preventive measures
Authentication programs and encryption are used for security .the auditor must understand those matter and should be able to make recommendations on implementation.
Password security is extremely important, and the auditors may be called upon to recommend complex password procedures for sophisticated systems.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE
Electronic data interchange (EDI) is now used very widely because it cuts the task of re-inputting data that has already been input into a system in electronic form, saving time and improving accuracy EDI is authentic? What authorization measures
are in place to ensure that transactions above certain value are properly authorized before being transmitted or accepted?
What is the legal position of the two parties if the transaction is disputed?
Encryption and authentication offer some help, as do transaction logs that identify the originator or any transactions generated and transmitted.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
WHAT IS EDI
Is the automated computer-to-computer exchange of structured business transactions between an enterprise and its vendors, customers, or other trading partners in a standard format, with a minimum of human intervention
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CONSIDERATION OF AUDIT STANDARDS
ISA 315, “Understanding the Entity and Its Environment and Assessing the Risks of Material Misstatement” and
ISA 330, “The Auditor’s Procedures in Response to Assessed Risks” became effective.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CONSIDERATION OF AUDIT STANDARDS
Major issues to be considered by an auditor as per ISA An auditor should consider new CIS
environment affects the audit The overall objective of audit in CIS audit
never changes. The design and performance of appropriate
tests of Controls and Substantive procedures to achieve the audit objective are likely to change.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CONSIDERATION OF AUDIT STANDARDS
Major issues to be considered by an auditor as per ISA The existence of computer is likely to have
an impact on the clients inherent risk and control risk.
The auditor should have sufficient knowledge of CIS to plan, direct supervise and review the work performed.
The auditor should consider whether specialized CIS skills are needed in an audit.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
ISA
The ISA makes it clear that auditors should have sufficient knowledge of the CIS to perform such audit effectively.I t is not necessary for overly member of audit team to be a computer expert auditors must consider need for specialized CIS skills.ISA 620 “using the work of expert” is relevant.
In planning the portions of audit which may be affected by the clients environment the auditor should obtain an understanding of significance and complexity of CIS activities and the availability of data for use in the audit.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
ISA
Auditor must obtain understanding of accounting and IC sufficient to plan an effective approach.
Where CIS is significant, the auditor must assess the effect of the CIS on in hereunto control risk.
Complexity normally increases risk and pensive deficiencies in program development, mtc, physical security and access controls would have an effect on all applications that the system served.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
ELECTRONIC COMMERCEIAPS 1013
Is any Commercial activity that takes place by means of connected computers. E.g. offering goods for sale directly from office computer; the purchasers’ computer and office computer is connected over Internet.
How do we audit ex-commerce?
International Audit Practice Standard ISPS 1013 (IAP’s) in intended to assist auditors in identifying and assessing the new risk to which the business in exposed when it undertakes e-commerce transactions.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
MAJOR AREAS OF FOCUS BY THE IAPS 1013
The skill and knowledge required to understand the implications of e-commerce on audit
The extent of knowledge an auditor should have about the client’s business environment and activities.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
MAJOR AREAS OF FOCUS BY THE IAPS 1013
The business, legal, regulatory and other risk faced by entries engaged in e-commerce transactions.
The effect of electronic records on audit evidence.
The statement may be also helpful to the auditor of any business engaged in e-commerce.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
What is an IT audit?
Like operational, financial and compliance auditors, Information Technology (IT) auditors work to:
Understand the existing internal control environment
Identify high risk areas through a formal methodology
Ensure that adequate internal controls are in place and operate effectively (through the testing of said controls)
Recommend control implementation where risk exists
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
Why IT AUDIT?
Because of Information Technology RISK!! Risk: The probability that a particular threat
exploits a particular vulnerability (i.e. an issue which may impact ability to meet objective).
Threat: Event or entity with the potential to cause unauthorized access, modification, disclosure, or destruction of info resources.
Vulnerability: Weakness in a system control, or a design flaw, that can be exploited to violate system, network, or data integrity.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
What Reduces IT Risk and What about any Remaining Risk?
Internal Controls (i.e. safeguards)Control: Protective measure implemented
to ensure company assets (IT or otherwise) are both available and accurate in order to meet the business requirements of that asset.
Residual Risk: The risk that is left over after reasonable internal controls have been both evaluated and implemented.
Internal Controls do not eliminate all risk!!
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
INTERNAL CONTROLS OTHER MATTERS
The are two major types of controls:Application ControlsGeneral Controls.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
What about OTHER types of audits that may impact Security Administration
functions Traditional Audit Types:
Financial – “opinion” audits (CPAs) Operational – process audits – now
includes environmental & construction Compliance – laws/regulations and
policies, standards, and procedures IT – usually considered “operational”
unless performed so “opinion” auditors may “rely” on financial info provided
Hybrid - Integrated Audit – today almost all audits are actually hybrid
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
Operational Audits Review operating policies/procedures
Documented policies/procedures? Informal policies/procedures?
Work flow examined (thru flowchart or description requested/developed)
Controls identified and documented Examine the business process and
recommend improvements – control related or efficiency/effectiveness
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
INTERNAL CONTROLS OTHER MATTERS
General Controls:The purpose of General controls is to
establish a framework of overall control over the CIS activities and to provide a reasonable level of assurance that the overall objectives of IC are achieved.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
INTERNAL CONTROLS OTHER MATTERS
Categories of General Controls: Organizational and Management control
-Helps to provide a proper organizational framework including regression of incompatible functions.
Application development and Mtc controls -To ensure that applications are properly
developed, tested and maintained.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
INTERNAL CONTROLS OTHER MATTERS
Categories of General Controls: Operational controls – To ensure properly
authorized access to system and the detection of errors.
Systems software controls – to ensure the integrity of the development and usage of systems software.
Data entry & program controls – to ensure the integrity of data and program files.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CIS APPLICATION CONTROLS
CIS application controls. The purpose of this control is to
establish specific control procedures over the acting applications to provide reasonable assurances that all transactions are authorized, recorded and processed, completely, accurately and on a timely bases.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CIS APPLICATION CONTROLS
The Controls Include: Controls over input – designed to provide
reasonable assurance that:- Transactions are properly authorized before
being processed by the computer transactions are accurately converted into machined readable form and recorded in the compute data files.
Transactions are not lost, duplicated or improperly changed.
Processing errors are identified and corrected on timely basis
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
CIS APPLICATION CONTROLS
The Controls Include:
Control’s over output – designed to provide reasonable assurance that:- Results of processing are accounts; Access to
output is restricted to authorized personnel; Output is provided to appropriate authorized personnel on timely basis ;Normally the technique which control the accuracy of input and processing while help to control master file date; Since master file standing data items are used many times over in processing, they take on greaten importance than transaction date and more costly controls such as one - for – one checks may be justified.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
MANUAL AND PROGRAMMED CONTROLS
Many controls over computers are manual controls, and prodding that the manual controls exercised by users are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance of the completeness, accuracy and authorization of output, test of control may be limited to those manual controls. In a payroll system, for example, if users test check gross pay, deductions net pay and authorization at the output stage, and if they compare net pay with approved bank transfer documentation and perform regular bank reconciliation’s; there may be no need to test programmed controls.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
MANUAL CONTROLS
Other Controls: Manual Controls
Physical Controls: -Is a matter of common sense. -Limit access to a computer room, -
Locks and keys, only to specified people -Prevention of smooking.
Back-up of disks: -Create and update an identical back up
disk for every disk in the system; Data files&Program files; The disk should be stored in separate place.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
MANUAL CONTROLS
Other Controls: Manual Controls
Data filing: -Each disk should be labeled clearly and filed
securely.The labeled disks should be filed in special disk boxes to provide a degree of protection against liquid being spoilt on the disks or their being bent or plied.
Documentation: It is vital, as it provides both a support system for work already stored on disk and filed, and progress report on data currently being processed or updated.
Staff Training:Proofing:There is always room for manual checking or
proofing, to control data on disk.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
PROGRAMMED CONTROLS
Programmed Controls:
Passwords; Date/time stamps for compass on of two revisions of data; Prompts – Asking the user to continue with an action or not.
Check Digit: A means of control on that they ascertain whether or not a number, such as ISBN is valid. E.g. customer account No. The computer will detect of the number is ever input incorrectly.
Batch totals and hash totals:
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
PROGRAMMED CONTROLS
Programmed Controls: Reasonable checks: Checks to ensure that
data input is reasonable given the type of input it is e.g. A payroll system would check that his recorded for a falls within a range of 30 to 50.
Existence checks: Checks to ensure that the data input is valid by checking that the entity already exists in the system. E.g. employee number.
Dependency checks: Data input fields can be compared with other fields for reasonableness.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
SMALL STAND ALONE MICRO-COMPUTER
Main problems. Internal Controls.
Major controls appropriate in this environment are:-
Authorization: Physical security AUDIT PROCEDURES
Substantive tests
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
Internal controls
Inherent limitations of the system of IC in elimination of frauds & errors.
The need to balance the cost of control with its benefits; The fact that IC are applied to systematic transaction, not one-off year-end adjustments, which are often larger and subject to error; The potential human error; Possibility of circumvention of IC through coolness in of managers or employees with other parts inside /outside the entity; Abuse of controls or override of controls e.g. ordering of personal goods; Obsolescent of controls
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF CAATs
Further considerations of CAATs ISA requires auditors to obtain appropriate audit
evidence to be able to allow reasonable conditions on which to base their opinion.
Advantages of CAATS: Helps to test larger number of data hence increase
confidence in their opinion; Help’s to test Accounting Systems its records (Tables & Disk files) rather than relying on testing printout; Are cost effective once set up for obtaining audit evidence; Comparison can easily be made from clerical audit work hence increase confidence.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
OTHER DETAIL MATTERS
Difficulties of using computer programs cost. Cost; Changes to clients system; Small
installations PC; Over –elaboration; Larger quantities of output; Version of file used for lest.
Test Data: Is a data submitted by the auditor for
processing the clients computer-based accounting system.
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants
OTHER DETAIL MATTERS
Major approached to the use of test data Using live data Using dummy data in a normal
production nun. Using dummy data in special nun.
Difficulties of test data: Cost Limited objective Dangers of live testing Difficult in recording audit evidence
APT FINANCIAL CONSULTANTSMwakalobo@apt financial consultants