12 + 13 - Risk Flashcards
8 responsibilities of the CoSec re. internal management and internal control
- Develop strategic objectives
- Identify principal risks (to strategic objectives)
- Carry out ‘robust’ assessment of principal risks
- Explain how risks are being managed/mitigated
- Monitor risk man. and int. control systems
- Review effectiveness of systems at least annually
- Assess future viability of company re current position and principal risks
- Report on above in annual report
Define internal control system
Structures, policies and procedures relating to management of business risk
3 benefit of having an internal control system for managing business risk
- Ensuring financial records and reports are reliable and reducing the risk of financial fraud
- Improving effectiveness of operations
- Ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations
What is FRC’s additional guidance on risk man. and int. control called?
Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting
Define risk
The possibility that something unexpected or not planned for will happen
What are the two types of risk an organisation should plan for?
- Downside risk
- Upside/opportunity risk
3 examples of downside risk
- Fires
- Earthquakes
- IT breakdowns
2 examples of upside risk
- Sales volumes being higher than expected
- Investment decision yielding better than expected results
Define business risk
The possibility that a company will have lower than anticipated profits or will make a loss rather than a profit
4 categories within ‘business risk’
- Reputational
- Competition
- Business environment
- Liquidity
Explain reputational risk as a form of business risk
The risk of loss in customer loyalty or support in an event that had damaged the company’s reputation
Explain competition risk as a form of business risk
The risk that business performance will be affected because of the actions of competitors (often competitor innovation)
Explain business environment risk as a form of business risk
The risk that the business environment in which the company operates will change significantly, due to:
political factors
regulatory factors
economic factors
social and environmental factors
technological factors
Explain liquidity risk as a form of business risk
The risk that the company will have insufficient cash to settle all of its liabilities on time, so will be forced out of business
Governance risk relates to risks associated with: (4)
- Structure
- Processes
- Information
- People and culture
Internal controls can be classified into which 3 main types?
- Preventative controls
- Detective controls
- Corrective controls
Explain preventative controls as a type of internal control
Intended to prevent an adverse risk from occurring - e.g. fraud by employees
Explain detective controls as a type of internal control
For detecting risk events when they occur, so that the appropriate person is alerted, and corrective action taken
Explain corrective controls as a type of internal control
Dealing with risk events that have occurred and their consequences
Who is ultimately responsible for managing risk?
The Board
2 reasons why internal controls may fail
- They are badly designed, so incapable of achieving their purpose as a control
- They are well-designed, but are not applied properly, due to human error or oversight
What are the 5 categories of risk?
- Financial
- Operational
- Compliance
- Strategic
- Reputational (often treated as falling within strategic)
3 examples of financial risks
- Risk of errors or fraud in accounting systems
- Liquidity risk
- Credit risk
3 examples of operational risks
- Theft of information from the org
- Inefficient or ineffective use of resources
- Errors and omissions by staff
What is a strategic risk?
Usually an external risk occurring or arising in the business environment in which the organisation operates
What is a compliance risk?
Non-compliance with important laws or regulations, leaded to legal action and/or fines
5 examples of strategic risks
- Political risks
- Environmental risks
- Stakeholder risks
- Reputational risks
- Supplier risks
4 methods of identifying risks
- Mind mapping
- Process mapping
- Stress testing
- Use of internally generated documents
Which method or risk identification/assessment is most important re. exam?
Stress testing
3 examples of internally generated documents to identify risks
- Business impact studies
- Market research reports
- Expert reports (such as on H&S)
What is process mapping as a method to identify risks?
Involves mapping every process within an org to identify interdependent, critical and vulnerable functions and activities within org - related risks can then be managed
What is stress testing as a method to identify risks?
Modelling a series of hypothetical circumstances to assess ability to withstand unexpected events or shocks.
Benefits of stress testing as a method to indicate risks (2)
- Company can assess worst-case impact of particular events, and principal risks in relation to those events
- Company can assess the effectiveness of proposed measures to reduce or manage risk
What should organisation consider to determine wither a risk is a principal risk?
- Likelihood or probability of occurrence (high, medium or low)
- Potential size and impact of the occurrence (significant, moderate or minor)
2 things that should be considered by management when establishing criteria for risk assessment
- Risk appetite
- Risk tolerance
Define risk appetite
The level of risk an org is willing to take in the pursuit of its objectives
Define risk tolerance
The amount of risk in org is prepared to accept in order to achieve its financial objectives
* Quantitative measure *
What should board consider after having assessed risks, to decide how to respond? (2)
Risk tolerance and risk appetite