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 Sunyani Commercial Bank, hence the need for an
effective and adequate internal control system.

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 CHAPTER 1

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 INTRODUCTON

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
Ghana 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

a) To find out the impact of internal control system, on the overall management of Ghana
commercial Bank Sunyani branch.

b) To find out the employees knowledge base on the concept of fraud in the banking sector.

c) To find out effective internal control systems influence on prevention and detection of fraud.

d) To find out the problem of fraud and how to curb it.

1.5 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

2. What kind of relationship exists between detection and prevention of fraud and internal
control system?

3. Is lack of good internal control system a major cause of fraud in banks? And what other
major causes exist?

4. 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 Sunyani
Commercial Bank.

H0: That effective internal control system may not help to prevent and detect fraud in Sunyani
Commercial 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

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 Ghana Commercial Bank Sunyani branch.

1.8 LIMITATIONS

The limitations of this research work are as follows;

a. The internal control involves human actions which introduces the possibility of errors in
processing or judgement.

b. Internal controls can also be overridden by the plan among employees and evasion of
controls or oppression by top management and superior external influences.

c. 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.

1.10 CHAPTER ORGANISATION

The whole study consists of chapters and the breakdown is as follows;

CHAPTER ONE

Chapter one highlights on the background of the study and explains the need and purpose of the
study. It also goes on to talk about the statement of the problems, objectives, scope limitations as
well as definition of terms.

CHAPER TWO

Chapter two gives a conceptual framework about the literature review as well definition of terms.

CHAPTER THREE

Chapter three describes the research methodology and how the research was under taken.
CHAPTER FOUR

Chapter four deals with findings from data collected, presentation and analysis of the result.

CHAPTER FIVE

Chapter five is centred on the summary, recommendations and conclusions drawn from the study.