Internal Controls XACC/280 October 7, 2012 Vaunda Davis Internal Controls Internal control is the process designed to ensure reliable financial reporting, effective and efficient operations, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Internal Controls are needed to ensure the proper account of revenue under the guidelines of GAAP .These controls are aimed at ensuring compliance with revenue recognition guidelines and safeguarding assets against theft and unauthorized use, acquisition, or disposal is also part of internal control. There are six principles of internal controls. These control principles establish responsibility, using physical, mechanical, and electronic controls; segregate duties, and perform independent internal
Under Section 404 of the act, these findings must detail any uncovered control deficiencies or instances of employee fraud, and must also be reviewed and attested by the registered accounting firm. The authors of the report must certify that the report does not contain any false information, misleading statements or significant omissions, and that the financial statements and information included in the report accurately represent the financial condition of the company. Under Section 401 of the act, this representation must account for both balance and off-balance sheet debts, obligations and transactions in order to facilitate maximum transparency for shareholders (Nikolas, Daniel. Nd Effects of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act). The act serves as a guideline and governs what an accountant should and should not do when reporting financial flows.
Adhering to compliance is crucial to prevent companies from failing and taking huge financial loses. McBride must implement a system of audit compliance committees that will help mitigate non-compliance. Audit compliance committees will review financial documents, including receipts, documents, stocks, trades, shares, investment numbers and any other financial documentation. Non-compliance includes behavior and unethical actions performed by senior management that will be audited and monitored by the compliance committee. The committee will consist of internal and external auditors who will each have a part in ensuring McBride continues to perform and service the needs of customers
This Act plays a role in organizations to regulate financial practices, and corporate growth. SOA includes the requirements of periodic financial reports that are certified by an authorized officer. Financial statements consists companies’ liabilities, obligations, and transactions. If there are any changes beyond any means, a report must be announced to the public as soon as possible. The implementation of this Act has risks and benefits individuals who are involved.
Discuss how the Sarbanes-Oxley Act is likely to affect the CEO's and CFO's of public companies. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act Section 302 Rules 13a-15(a) and 15d-15(a) under the Exchange Act: Corporate Responsibility for Finical Reports requires that a statement be prepared to accompany the audit report signed by the CEO's and CFO's of public companies to certify that that the reports their companies file with the Securities and Exchange Commission are both accurate and complete and certified stating it’s "appropriateness of the financial statements and disclosures contained in the periodic report, and that those financial statements and disclosures fairly present, in all material respects, the operations and financial condition of the issuer." (White & Case LLP, 2003). The CEO/ CFO of public companies are required to have full knowledge of the SEC standard, pledging ignorance is not an option, if they do not meet their obligations under section 302, they can be found liable and can face litigation that could include a forfeiture of pay and bonuses under
As well, public companies must file a pro forma financial statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The SEC also requires publicly traded companies to file pro forma financial statements anytime there is a significant change in the accounting means used by that company. (What is a Pro Forma Financial Statement?,
Depending on the results of the evaluation, __ Auditing should guarantee that Apollo Shoes, Incorporated has adequate internal control over financial statements. __ Auditing Firm’s has observed financial statements by anglicizing the validity of the supporting documents. The disclosures notes attached to the financial statements have given __ Auditing a comprehensive assessment of the manager’s decision making process. The important assessment of the financial statement was to evaluate Apollo Shoes, Inc. financial strength and whether the organization badly stated any financial reports to the shareholders or consumers. The evaluation of the organization usefulness of the internal control, and provides very important information of the organizations achievement habits in the economy.
● ● Requires codes of ethics for senior financial officers. In addition, Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires public companies to attest to the effectiveness of their internal controls over financial reporting. 29. Some major challenges facing the accounting profession relate to the following items: Nonfinancial measurement—how to report significant key performance measurements such as customer satisfaction indexes, backlog information and reject rates on goods purchased. Forward-looking information—how to report more future oriented information.
* “a statement of management's responsibility for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the company; * a statement identifying the framework used by management to evaluate the effectiveness of this internal control; * management's assessment of the effectiveness of this internal control as of the end of the company's most recent fiscal year; and a statement that its auditor has issued an attestation report on management's assessment.” (sec.gov) This is stating management has to take responsibility that they made sure the financial reporting of the company being handed in is correct. They have to explain how and what they have done to assure the financial reports are correct. Management has to get a seal of approval from its auditor agreeing that the financial reports are done properly and there are no mistakes and the necessary steps were taken to attest that the financial statements are correct. This makes management of a company personally responsible things are being done
Reporting Practices and Ethics Paper Sharon Tucker HCS/405 May 13, 2013 Elizabeth Caissie Abstract The implementation of financial reporting and ethical standards are crucial for the growth and progression of an organization. Reporting fairly and accurate data will help control measurements that may address theft and/or fraud within the structure. Ethical standards are vital for the development in an organization’s set rules and policies in having quality in the services provided including integrity, values, and delivering effective outcomes in honesty. Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) are set guidelines which indicate rules, regulations, and procedures that are implemented for the maintenance and/or monitoring records. An organization that provides a financial statement to the public, investors or government funding entities must follow the set standards developed by Financial Accounting standards Board (FASB).