Internal controls of accounting are an essential business function for a growth-oriented organization, and include the elements of risk assessment, information communications and even employees' roles and responsibilities. Internal controls of accounting systems are designed to protect a company from fraud, abuse and inaccurate data recording and help organizations keep track of essential financial activities.
Accounting techniques can be used to compute financial ratios and other metrics that can be used to look for areas of potential improvement in the business. Accounting information can give management insight into operational problems, financial trouble on the horizon and potential fraud or embezzlement in the company. It is important to note that information in the accounting system is only as good as the processes that add information to the system, so care should be taken with information that has not been processed with an adequate level of quality control.
Internal controls are the guidelines and processes companies use to safeguard sensitive financial information. While companies have used internal controls for decades, the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) significantly increased the amount of internal controls for public companies. While internal controls are specific to a company and their business operations, a few basic controls are common among businesses.
Keeping track of accounting records and financial reports is an important element of business operations for both for-profit and non-profit organizations. Setting up internal controls of accounting systems can help ensure all government regulations are met and company policies are followed consistently. Control procedures allow financial managers to set protocols for different processes and activities, assess the work environment for any risks and problems associated with record keeping, and understand how to improve the