by Matthew Leitch, 29 March 2004
We need to find out more about what people consider relevant to deciding how effective a system of internal controls is. The range of evidence considered has a big impact on the cost of auditing controls effectiveness so there are immediate practical implications.
The full rationale will be explained when the conclusions of this study are published and there is no risk of distorting the results.
This survey will be very hard to understand if you have no background in internal controls or audit work so please go no further if this would cause problems for you.
For this survey to have any value it is vital that you answer honestly. Your answers will be confidential. Your employer, if you have one, will never know what you answered.
What country are you currently living in?
How many years have you been involved in internal auditing? Choose '0' (zero) if you have never been involved in internal auditing.
How many years have you been involved in external auditing? Choose '0' (zero) if you have never been involved in external auditing.
The following 20 items are things that might be relevant to your evaluation of the effectiveness of a system of internal controls specifically for financial reporting. These statements aren't about the same organisation, so take each one in isolation.
Consider each and decide how relevant it is, if at all, as evidence relating to the current effectiveness of controls over financial reporting, in your opinion. Don't worry about complying with any particular piece of official guidance or regulations. What do you think? What could influence your view?
Are there any comments about evidence of controls effectiveness you would like to make?
Thank you for your views.