Internal Controls are an interesting topic in the corporate environment. They are part of the
Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) system which relies on these controls to make sure that
risks are under check. This course starts with an introduction to corporate governance and
Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and goes into the details of risk responses available to management.
The course then tackles controls at board and senior management level and into the
business and reporting cycles. We also covers controls in the purchase and payment cycle, HR and
payroll cycle, inventory and production cycle, long term assets life cycle and at last sales and
collection cycle. In addition, the course discusses, information systems control, administrative and
safety controls, financial reporting controls, physical controls and at last external reporting controls.
Of course, they are all listed as examples and participants are encouraged to share with
management the proper measures and controls for the risks at hand.
Event Date: –
Course Methodology
The course is based on presentations and examples by the instructor. Participants will also be
required to present the results of case studies and exercises.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
 Define the GRC system of governance, risk and compliance
ï‚· Devise controls that are appropriate for the risks at hand
ï‚· Implement segregation of duties and internal controls in the accounting department and business cycles
ï‚· Safeguard information technology systems and data centers
ï‚· Design and maintain financial controls
 Comply with financial and other external reporting requirements
Target Audience
Professionals in the field of finance and accounting, accountants at all levels seeking to enhance
practical finance and accounting knowledge, certified financial and accounting personnel especially
accounting managers and controllers.
Target Competencies
ï‚· Assess risks and responses
 Control risks assessed
ï‚· Conform to governance requirements
ï‚· Comply to laws and regulations
ï‚· Implement controls in business cycles
 Analyze controls and suggest improvements
Course Outline ï‚· Purpose of internal controls ï‚· Implementing controls in business cycles ï‚· External reporting
ï‚· Introduction to corporate control environment
ï‚· Introduction to GRC: governance, risk and compliance
ï‚· Introduction to ERM
ï‚· GRC system: governance, risk and controls
ï‚· Risk response and related internal controls
ï‚· Compliance requirements through internal controls
ï‚· Compliance requirements for oversight boards
ï‚· Examples of compliance requirements
ï‚· Other considerations: fraud prevention and customer satisfaction
ï‚· Controls in purchase and payment cycle
ï‚· Controls in inventory and costing cycle
ï‚· Controls in HR and payroll cycle
ï‚· Controls in sales and collection cycle
ï‚· Controls in fixed assets life cycle
ï‚· The human element role in controls
ï‚· Technology role in implementing controls
ï‚· Segregation of duties in business cycles
ï‚· Required reporting in business cycles
ï‚· Approvals and authorization in business cycles
ï‚· Risks to corporation in lack of control in the cycle
ï‚· Costs of controls and controlling costs in business cycles
ï‚· Controlling assets and inventory movements within the company
ï‚· Preventing fraud through proper controls
ï‚· Information system controls
ï‚· Safeguarding data
ï‚· Access to communication systems
ï‚· Security reports
ï‚· Financial controls
ï‚· Controlling access to financial assets
ï‚· Controls on financial reporting
ï‚· Controls through budgets
ï‚· Controls through management reporting
ï‚· Implementing financial controls through policies and procedures
ï‚· Administrative controls
ï‚· Controlling access to building
ï‚· Controls on maintenance and repairs
ï‚· Safety and security controls
ï‚· Legal implications on some safety measures
ï‚· Required reporting in administration
ï‚· Financial reporting requirements
ï‚· Reporting to labor related authorities
ï‚· Social security administration reporting requirements