Documentation Methods for Internal Control Processes
Overview
Internal controls (IC) are critical to the effective functioning of all processes. The importance of proper and relevant documentation can be viewed as a burden. Strong, relevant documentation is critical to ensure organizations can adequately monitor, manage, and adjust their processes in line with business objectives. This requirement extends far beyond internal controls over financial reporting. Management must first establish appropriate responsibilities for IC. Personnel must have a strong understanding of the types and methods of IC and how they relate to their jobs. Controls should be well documented.
Documentation methods must meet organizational needs and be sufficient for personnel to understand.
This course will further evaluate the responsibilities of employees, management, and auditors in understanding their role in internal control as well as evaluating documentation methods.
Highlights
- Introduction to Proper Documentation
- Responsibilities for Internal Control
- Exploring What to Document
- Documentation Types, Flowcharts, & Narratives
- Policy and Procedures and IC Questions
- Risk Control Matrices
- Establishing A Defined Documentation Process
- Flow Chart Symbols
- Other Documentation Maturity Model & Issue Tracker
- Other Documentation Testing Processes
- Other Documentation Internal Audit Formal Reports & Summary
- Proper Documentation
Prerequisites
None
Designed For
The course is useful to all individuals within a company who have responsibility for writing policies and procedures, documenting and evaluating processes and internal controls and testing processes.
Objectives
- Explore the responsibilities for internal control (IC).
- Explore what to document.
- Identify documentation types.
- Explore how to establish a defined documentation process.
- Explore steps to sufficient documentation.
- Discover relevant methods of flowcharting.
Preparation
None
Leader(s):
Leader Bios
Lynn Fountain, Business Professionals Network Inc ACPEN
Lynn Fountain has over 37 years of experience spanning public accounting, corporate accounting and consulting. 22 years of her experience has been working in the areas of internal and external auditing. She is a subject matter expert in multiple fields including internal audit, ethics, fraud evaluations, Sarbanes-Oxley, enterprise risk management, governance, financial management and compliance. Ms. Fountain has held two Chief Audit Executive positions for international companies. In 2011, as the Chief Audit Executive for an international construction/ engineering firm, she was involved in the active investigation of a joint venture fraud. The investigation included work with the FBI and ultimately led to indictment of the perpetrators and recovery of $13M. Ms. Fountain is currently engaged in her own training and consulting business and is a regular trainer for the AICPA. Ms. Fountain is the author of three separate technical books. “Raise the Red Flag – The Internal Auditors Guide to Fraud Evaluations” was published by the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation. “Leading The Internal Audit Function” and “Ethics and The Internal Auditor Political Dilemma” were published by Taylor & Francis In addition, Ms. Fountain has performed as an adjunct instructor for the School of Business for Grantham University and developed the first internal audit curriculum for the School of Business at the University of Kansas. Ms. Fountain obtained her BSBA from Pittsburg State University and her MBA from Washburn University in Kansas. She has her CGMA, CRMA credentials and CPA certificate (non-active).
Non-Member Price $115.00
Member Price $85.00