Final answer:
The audit of internal controls involves planning the engagement, identifying critical controls to test, testing their design and effectiveness, and evaluating any control deficiencies discovered.
Step-by-step explanation:
The steps involved in performing an audit of internal controls include the following:
- Plan the engagement: This involves setting the objectives, scope, and timing for the audit and determining the resources needed to conduct it effectively.
- Identify controls to test: Auditors must identify which controls are critical to the company's financial reporting process and therefore should be tested.
- Test the design and operating effectiveness of selected controls: Auditors evaluate whether the controls are properly designed and are operating as intended during the period under review.
- Evaluate identified control deficiencies: If any deficiencies in internal controls are found, auditors assess their impact and suggest measures for improvement
- An audit of internal controls is crucial for providing assurance that a company's financial information is reliable and that the company is in compliance with laws and regulations.