Assessing the Internal Control Mechanisms Specific to Information Technology within the Financial Audit

Author:Lecturer Cristina GEAMBAŞU, Ph.D.

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Keywords:information technologies, financial audit, IT risks, general controls, application controls

Abstract:
Extended use of information technologies in the activities of economic organizations has a major impact over the data registered in the financial statements. To ensure that these data are complete, reliable and accurate, it is necessary for the auditor to assess the risks associated with the information systems used by the economic organizations subject to financial audit and the efficiency of the internal control mechanisms specific to IT environment.\r\nThe article includes a study on standards and methodologies applicable in financial audit area, in the activity of evaluating the internal controls specific to information technologies. It also contains a synthesis of the main risks related to computerized environments, an analysis of the components and the objectives of internal control system and a series of steps to be taken by auditors in assessing the internal control mechanisms specific to information technologies in the financial audit.\r\n

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