Internal controls are established to further strengthen the reliability and integrity of information; ensure compliance with policies, plans, procedures, laws and regulations; aid with the safeguarding of assets and the economical and efficient use of resources; and accomplish established objectives and goals for operations or programs. Internal controls need to be part of day-to-day activities and objectives, and the controls documented in a process must be the controls actually performed. 

In this guide, we provide an overview of the internal controls process, including objectives, implementation, timeline, owner responsibilities and evaluating the effectiveness of internal controls design.