Study Unit 4 Flashcards
Which control framework is widely accepted as the standard for the design and operation of internal control systems and where was it created?
- Internal Control - Integrated Framework (COSO)
- US
Where was the Guidance on Control (aka CoCo Model) published?
-Canada
Where was the Internal Control: Revised Guide for Directors on the Combined Code (aka the Turnbull Report) created?
-UK
Which control framework recommended for sound governance as requiring the CEO and chairperson to be separate individuals?
-Internal Control: Revised Guide for Directors on the Combined Code (Turnbull Report)(UK)
What is the best-known framework specifically for IT controls and what is the most recent version?
- Control Objectives for Information and Related Technology (COBIT)
- COBIT 5
What is the name of the alternative control model for IT created by the IIA-Research Foundation?
-Electronic Systems Assurance and Control (eSAC)
What is the COSO definition of internal control?
-It is a process, effected by an entity’s board, management, and other personnel, designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives relating to operations, reporting, and compliance.
What are the three classes of objectives of the COSO framework (hint: “ORC”)?
- Effectiveness and Efficiency of Operations
- Reliability of Financial Reporting
- Compliance with Laws and Regulations
Which of the three classes of objectives of the COSO framework is a system of internal control more likely to provide “reasonable assurance” over and why?
- Reporting and Compliance
- Because Reporting and Compliance objectives are responses to standards established by external parties. Thus achieving these objectives depends on actions almost entirely w/n the entity’s control.
- Whereas operational effectiveness may not be within the entity’s control b/c it is affected by human judgment and many external factors.
What are the five components of internal control under COSO (Controls stop “CRIME”)?
- Control Environment
- Risk Assessment
- Information and Communication
- Monitoring
- Control Activities
What makes up the control environment (COSO)?
-It is a set of standards, processes, and structures that pervasively affects the system of internal control.
What are the five principles that make up the control environment (COSO)?
- Org. demonstrates a commitment to integrity and ethical values.
- Board demonstrates independence from mgmt. and exercises oversight for internal control.
- Mgmt. establishes, with board oversight, structures, reporting lines, and appropriate authorities and responsibilities.
- Org. demonstrates a commitment to attract, develop, and retain competent individuals.
- Org. holds individuals accountable.
Risk Assessment (COSO)
-This process encompasses an assessment of the risks themselves and the need to manage organizational change. It is a basis for determining how the risk should be managed.
What are the four principles that relate to Risk Assessment?
- Org. specifies objectives w/ sufficient clarity to enable the identification and assessment of risks relating to (a) operations, (b) external financial/nonfinancial reporting, (c) internal reporting, and (d) compliance.
- Org. identifies risks to the achievement of its objectives across the entity and analyzes risks to determine how the risks should be managed.
- Org. considers the potential for fraud in assessing fraud risks. The org. must consider various types of fraud and assess incentives and pressures, opportunities, and assess attitudes and rationalizations.
- Org. identifies and assesses changes that could significantly affect the system of internal control.
Control Activities (COSO)
-Policies and procedures help ensure that management directives are carried out. Whether automated or manual they are applied at various levels of the org and stages of processes. They may be preventative or detective, and segregation of duties is usually present.
What are the three principles that relate to Control Activities?
- Org. selects and develops control activities that contribute to the mitigation of risks and the achievement of objectives to acceptable levels.
- Org. selects and develops general control activities over technology to support the achievement of its objectives.
- Org. deploys control activities through policies that establish what is expected and procedures that put the policies into action.
Information and Communication (COSO)
-Enables the org. to obtain, generate, use, and communicate info to (1) maintain accountability and (2) measure and review performance.
What are three principles that relate to Information and Communication?
- Org. obtains or generates and uses relevant, quality information to support the functioning of IC.
- Org. internally communicates information, including objectives and responsibilities for IC, necessary to support the function of IC.
- Org. communicates w/ external parties regarding matters affecting the functioning of IC.
Monitoring Activities (COSO)
-Because control systems and the way controls are applied change over time, monitoring is the process that assesses the quality of IC performance over time to ensure the controls continue to meet the needs of the org.
What are the two principles related to Monitoring Activities?
- Org. selects, develops, and performs ongoing or separate evaluations (or both) to determine whether the components of IC are present and functioning.
- Org. evaluates and communicates control deficiencies in a timely manner.
Which control framework is thought to be more suited for IA purposes?
CoCo model (Guidance on Control)
What are the four components of the CoCo Model that 20 criteria are grouped into?
(Pneumonic: “Police Can Catch Many Lawbreakers”)
- Purpose
- Commitment
- Capability
- Monitoring and Learning
What are the five key principles of COBIT 5?
- Meeting Stakeholder Needs
- Covering Enterprise End-to-End
- Applying a Single Integrated Framework
- Enabling a Holistic Approach
- Separating Governance from Management
COBIT 5 asserts that _________ _________ is the most basic stakeholder need.
-Value Creation
According to COBIT 5, what is the most fundamental goal of any enterprise, commercial or not?
-The creation of stakeholder value.
According to COBIT 5, what are the three components necessary for value creation?
- Realization of benefits
- Optimization (not minimization) of risk
- Optimal use of resources
According to COBIT 5, what are stakeholder drivers?
-They are both internal and external factors that influence stakeholder needs.
According to COBIT 5, once stakeholder needs are identified, what needs to be established?
-Enterprise goals
COBIT 5 translates the # generic enterprise goals into __ related goals.
-17 and IT
According to COBIT 5, ________ are identified that support pursuit of the IT related goals. A _____ is broadly defined as anything that helps achieve objectives.
-enablers
True/False: COBIT 5 provides an overarching framework that addresses specific technical issues.
-False: COBIT 5 is an overarching framework that does not address specific technical issues; i.e., its principles can be applied regardless of the particular hardware and software in use.
Enabling a Holistic Approach: What are the 7 categories of enablers that support comprehensive IT governance and management?
- Principles, policies, and frameworks;
- Processes;
- Org. structures
- Culture, ethics, and behavior
- Information*
- Service, infrastructure, and applications*
- People, skills, and competencies*
*-These three enablers are also resources that must be optimized.
True/False: Enablers are interconnected because they:
a) Need the input of other enablers to be fully effective and
b) Deliver output for the benefit of other enablers.
True
Define Governance vs. Management
- Governance: is the setting of overall objectives and the monitoring of progress towards those objectives
- (COBIT 5 associates the Board w/ governance)
- Management: is the carrying out of activities in pursuit of enterprise goals
- (COBIT 5 associates executive mgmt. under the leadership of the CEO with mgmt.)
Within the Governance practice, what are the three practice that must be addressed?
-Evaluate, direct, and monitor.
Within the Management practice, what are the four responsibility areas that must be addressed?
-Plan, build, run, and monitor.
True/False: In the eSAC model, the entity’s internal processes accepts inputs and produce outputs.
-True
What are the four inputs of the eSAC model?
-Mission, values, strategies, and objectives.