ACCA AA Syllabus C. Internal Control - Application & General IT controls - Notes 1 / 7
Application controls apply to the processing of transactions
Examples are..
Batch total checks
Sequence checks
Arithmetic checks
Existence checks
Authorisation checks
General IT controls ensure the information system can run properly
Examples include:
Software system acquisition controls
Software change and maintenance controls
Security (password etc) controls
Backup controls
So a good IT system should have both application and general IT controls
The auditor must be aware of the implications of the IT systems of the entity.
Many transactions may now be automated and the automation must be checked and understood.
Large volumes of transactions can now be performed by IT systems leading to greater focus on how the transactions are generated
ACCA MAPS
This is a little memory technique for remembering the typical controls in a business
Authorisation
Computer controls
Comparison
Arithmetic
Maintain control accounts
Account reconciliations
Physical controls
Segregation of duties