Investigative Procedures
Internal controls are important in detecting and preventing internal and external fraud. One of the objectives of an internal control system is to ensure the company assets are safeguarded from fraud, waste or other irregularities (Pfister, 2009, p 30). Internal controls are based on the concepts of segregation of duties, authorization limits and proper records or documentation of transactions. The internal controls also ensure physical security of the company assets. The detective internal controls include reconciliation of branch accounts and independent verification of transactions (Needles & Powers, 2010, p 264). However there are inherent limitations of internal control systems. They may ...