Auditing and Monitoring Design
and Objectives
The twin objectives of auditing and
monitoring are to determine whether internal
programs and controls are designed and
operating effectively, and to determine
whether deficiencies are resolved in a timely
manner. Unlike auditing, monitoring
involves a system of activities that provide
;m organization with a self-appraisal of its
control system s performance: they are
implemented to help ensure that internal
controls operate effectively. Monitoring
activities differ from auditing because they
consist of a real-time evaluation and are
usually conducted by an operational supervisor,
rather than intemal auditors who
examine past activities. These monitoring
efforts are not meant to function as a separate
exercise outside of reguhir operations,
but should be built into the fabric of the
organization's operational activities.