In a world of uncertainty: a survey on internal control in a public and private perspective

Authors

  • Rossana Guerra de Sousa Universidade Federal da Paraíba
  • Saulo Diógenes Azevedo Santos Souto Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco
  • Antônio Moreira Nicolau Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-8069.2017v14n31p155

Abstract

From the perspective of the uniformity between theory and practice regarding the management of internal control in the public and private segments, with the structure of COSO ICIF 2013 as basis, this study aims to identify how organizations have implemented the concept, the central dimensions of internal control and what challenges are involved in this process. From the perception of the organizational actors, who evaluate these issues in their institutional context, a survey was conducted using the Likert measurement scale. The data were analyzed descriptively and comparatively between the public and private segments with Mann-Whitney test. The results indicate that, in both segments, the concept of control is mostly identified with its functional form, which may impact on the effectiveness of the control system management, especially regarding the definition of accountability on control actions in the entity. Public and private respondents converge on the perception of the relative implementation of control dimensions related to the control environment and information and communication systems. The main challenges are the institutionalization of risk management, control activities and monitoring. The findings reflect the difficulty of absorbing and institutionalizing concepts and central dimensions structured for the management of controls in public and private organizations. This scenario can lead to inefficiency of the control system, implemented or idealized, generating costs without the consideration of obtaining the benefits related to the achievement of the organizational objectives. The performance in the disclosure and professionalization of the control management segment can be one of the few feasible alternatives to circumvent this scenario, since it is inseparably linked to the decision of public and private managers on this path.

Author Biographies

Rossana Guerra de Sousa, Universidade Federal da Paraíba

Doutora em Ciências Contábeis pelo Programa Multi-institucional e Inter-Regional de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Contábeis (UnB/UFPB/UFRN)

Professora do Departamento de Finanças e Contabilidade da Universidade Federal da Paraíba

Saulo Diógenes Azevedo Santos Souto, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco

Mestre em Controladoria pela Programa de Pós-Graduação em Controladoria Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE)

Antônio Moreira Nicolau, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco

Mestre em Controladoria pela Programa de Pós-Graduação em Controladoria Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (UFRPE)

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Published

2017-04-03

How to Cite

Sousa, R. G. de, Souto, S. D. A. S., & Nicolau, A. M. (2017). In a world of uncertainty: a survey on internal control in a public and private perspective. Revista Contemporânea De Contabilidade, 14(31), 155–176. https://doi.org/10.5007/2175-8069.2017v14n31p155

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