ABSTRACT
Management, not the auditor is responsible for setting up and
monitoring of the internal control system. Internal control system
cannot fully be regarded as effective not even when the design and
implementation is properly done; this is because the effectiveness of
an internal control system depends on the competency and dependability
of the people using it. Bank failures and widespread losses over the
past two decades, have clearly pointed out the picture of how fraud
has penetrated the financial strength of banks; it has however,
elevated the importance of effective internal control system within
the formal financial sector worldwide. Organizations set up internal
control system most at times because they are required by law to do
so; but then, how many has actually made it a point of duty to train
and educate employees on how to use these internal control system
since its effectiveness depends on the competency and dependability
of the people using it. This research paper defines internal control,
as a means to an end; it is aimed at verifying the conception that an
efficient and effectively implemented internal control system is the
best strategy for preventing and detecting fraud especially in the
banking sector; thus the objective of this research is to examine the
effect of the internal control system, when it comes to prevention
and detection of fraud. Data captured in this study, was analyzed
through descriptive method. Quantitative technique was also used to
analyze the response of the respondents as well as a computer program
known as SPSS. The descriptive analysis involves the use of
percentage, tabulations, and graphical presentation. The sources of
data for the research were both primary and secondary sources. Census
technique was used for the study instead of a sampling technique.
Questionnaires and interviews were used as the data collection
methods for the study. Based on the analysis, internal control system
was seen to be significant in detection and prevention of fraud in
banks in Nigeria, hence the need for an effective and adequate
internal control system.
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL INTRODUCTION
How extensive should a company’s internal control
system be? In today’s environment, this is a difficult question to
answer. The reason being that some current business, legal, and social
trends suggest that companies need to increase their emphasis on
internal control, while other trends indicate just the opposite. Bank
failures and widespread losses over the past two decades have elevated
the importance of effective internal control within the formal
financial sector worldwide. In the United States for example, bank
failures rose over 200 percent in the 1980s partly due to fraud and
mismanagement. Internationally, the collapse of Barings Bank and
Yamaichi Securities further focused the financial sector’s attention on
internal control. The Basle Committee analyzed the problems related to
these losses and concluded that they probably could have been avoided
had the banks maintained effective internal control systems (banking, a
regulatory and auditing guide). In addition, a review of traditional
banks affirmed that the implementation of effective internal control
systems played an important role in reducing bank failures.
Internal control, the strength of every organisation, has become
of paramount importance today in Nigeria banks. The reasons being that
the control systems in any organization are a pillar for an efficient
accounting system as well as achievement of organizational goals.
1.2 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
As part of its on-going efforts to address bank supervisory issues
and enhance supervision through guidance that encourages sound risk
management practices, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision issued
a framework for the evaluation of internal control systems. A system
of effective internal controls is a critical component of bank
management and a foundation for the safe and sound operation of banking
organizations. A system of strong internal controls can help to ensure
that the goals and objectives of a banking organization will be met,
that the bank will achieve long-term profitability targets, and
maintain reliable financial and managerial reporting. Such a system can
also help to ensure that the bank will comply with laws and regulations
as well as policies, plans, internal rules and procedures, and
decrease the risk of unexpected losses or damage to the bank’s
reputation.
The Basel Committee, along with banking supervisors throughout the
world, has focused increasingly on the importance of sound internal
controls. This heightened interest in internal controls is, in part, a
result of significant losses incurred by several banking organizations.
An analysis of the problems related to these losses indicates that
they could probably have been avoided had the banks maintained
effective internal control systems. Such systems would have prevented
or enabled earlier detection of the problems that led to the losses,
thereby limiting damage to the banking organization.
A system of accounting and records keeping will not succeed in
completely and accurately processing all transaction unless controls
known as internal controls are built into the system. The purposes of
such internal controls are to ensure that transactions are executed in
accordance with proper general or specific authorisation and again to
ensure that all transactions are properly recorded with the correct
amount and in the appropriate account and in the proper accounting
periods so as to permit preparation of financial statement in
accordance with relevant legislation and accounting standards and for
informed management decision making.
Internal control will ensure that errors and irregularities are
avoided or made apparent. Internal control as a system comprise of the
control environment and procedures .It includes all the policies and
procedures adopted by the directors and management of an entity to
assist in achieving their objectives of ensuring as far as practicable
the orderly and efficient conduct of its business so as to safeguard
assets, to prevent and detect fraud and error to ensure accuracy and
completeness of accounting records and the timely preparation of
reliable financial information (SAS 300.1)
The company code 1963, Act 197 section 123 states that “management
will need to establish an effective accounting system comprising a
number of controls”. In an attempt to do this there must be a
well-defined organisational structure showing how responsibility and
authority are delegated clearly defined communication channels or lines
of reporting(i.e. upward , downward and horizontal lines of reporting)
for attainment of corporate objectives. These controls are such that
different people are assigned to do different task. No one person should
fully record and process transactions from commencement to the end.
This means that a company can only achieve its corporate mission
through the establishment of internal control system which makes sure
that those policies and procedures which are laid down by management
are efficient. Hence, it reduces the cost of operation without reducing
effectiveness.
1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
The regularity of fraud and misappropriation of funds is creating
fear, anxiety, and a loss of confidence in the minds of bank customers.
Also, poor internal control system leads to increase in bank losses.
Management is required to set up an internal control system but this
system varies significantly from one organization to the next, depending
on such factors as their size, nature of operations, and objectives.
Since internal controls operate in an environment which influences its
operations, proper care must be exerted into the implementation of
these systems in other to achieve the utmost aim of the bank. This
heightened interest in internal controls is, in part, a result of
significant losses incurred by several banking organizations. An
analysis of the problems related to these losses indicates that they
could probably have been avoided had the banks maintained effective
internal control systems. Such systems would have prevented or enabled
earlier detection of the problems that led to the losses, thereby
limiting damage to the banking organization.
1.4 OBJECTIVES
- To find out the impact of internal control system, on the overall management of Mainstreet bank Nigeria Aba branch.
- To find out the employees knowledge base on the concept of fraud in the banking sector.
- To find out effective internal control systems influence on prevention and detection of fraud.
- To find out the problem of fraud and how to curb it.
1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
- Does Mainstreet bank have an internal control system? If yes, how effective is it?
- What kind of relationship exists between detection and prevention of fraud and internal control system?
- Is lack of good internal control system a major cause of fraud in banks? And what other major causes exist?
- Can banks with effective internal control system prevent the menace of fraud?
1.6 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
The research is intended to investigate the impact of internal
control system in the circumstances of embezzlement and fraud detection
in the bank.
Therefore the data to be collected in this exercise will be used to test the following hypothesis.
H1: Effective internal control system can help to prevent and detection of fraud in Mainstreet bank.
H0: That effective internal control system may not help to prevent and detect fraud in Mainstreet bank.
Research is poised to confirm true or otherwise,
to achieve this purpose the research has formulated the above
hypothesis. That the general financial management and control system as
regard revenue and expenditure is effective, efficient and technical.
Also the general financial management and control system as related to
the public opinion is inadequate, ineffective, and this lacks
improvement in its operation achievements which will hinder general
development.
1.7 THE SIGNFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The findings of the study would help the management of the bank to
maintain an enhanced controlled environment by helping management and
employees to establish and maintain an environment throughout the bank
that sets a positive and supportive altitude towards internal control,
reliable management, operating personnel for effecting internal control
and internal audit for evaluating whether appropriate controls have
been implemented and whether the internal controls are functioning as
intended. Other significance of the study includes:
- Help the bank in reducing fraudulent activities that occur in the organisation.
- Requirement for the award of a Master’s degree.
- Reference for other research topics
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The content of this research should not be seen as being totally
exhaustive of all possibly situations available in the Nigerian banking
sector on the theme of this study. This is due to the vast size of the
banking sector and the boundless nature of the study under review.
Therefore, the scope of this research is limited to the study carried
out on Mainstreet Bank branch in Aba, Nigeria.
1.8 LIMITATIONS
The limitations of this research work are as follows;
- The internal control involves human actions which introduces the possibility of errors in processing or judgement.
- Internal controls can also be overridden by the plan among
employees and evasion of controls or oppression by top management
and superior external influences.
- Limited funds prevented the choice of more than one study area.
1.9 OPERATIONAL DEFINITION
Internal control: a control is “any
action taken by management to enhance the likelihood that established
objectives and goals will be achieved” [institute of internal auditors,
1993].in other words, controls are designed to ensure that
organizations conform to standards or plans. Examples of controls
include the use of sales or expense budgets, computer passwords, or
even padlocks on warehouses.
Effectiveness – within this context of the study it means measure of productivity in utilizing an entity’s resources.
Efficiency- it means measure of cost control in performing recurring function within an entity
Fraud - intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual.