Internal Control

Internal Control

The concept of internal control has evolved gradually over the years, with the greatest development occurring at the beginning of 1940. Not only the complexities of modern business techniques but also the increased size of business units have encouraged the adoption of methods which, while increasing the efficiency of the business, also act as a safeguards against errors and frauds. Furthermore, the regulation of business activities under an efficient system of internal control may obviate the necessity of protracted detailed work by an independent auditor with beneficial results to all parties concerned. Thus the inpetus for development of internal control has come from both management and auditor. The effect on auditing has been to reduce the need of routine mechanical verification of book-keeping, accuracy, permitting substitution of a less time-consuming approach that involves reasoning and judgment and stress on such activities as review, analysis, evaluation and statistical sampling.