The original research on internal control is a collection of anecdotes written by
practicing auditors. In treatises appearing as early as the late 1800s, controls were
proposed to mitigate losses from fraudulent activities by employees. Accountants and
auditors at that time were more concerned with preventing and detecting fraud than with
unintentional errors. Surprised audits were commonly used as a deterrent against fraud
perpetrated by employees and management, although employee fraud appeared to be of
more concern than management misrepresentation (Ashworth 1886; Watson 1885