CHAPTER ONE

1.0     INTRODUCTION

Auditing is an independent checking, investigation, examination and expression of the books of accounts and vouchers of a business enterprise with a view to enable the appointed auditor to report whether the trading, prodit and loss accounts and balance sheet are properly drawn up so as to show a true and fair view of the state of affairs and the profit or loss of the business according to the best information and explanation obtained by the auditor and that they comply with the laid down rules and regulations of the statement of standard acccounting product (SSAP) and other statutory regulations.

Internal control system: This can be described acording to auditing guideline (AG 204) as “the whole system of controls, financial and otherwise, established by the management in order to carry on the business enterprise in an orderly and efficient manner, ensure adherence of maangement policies, safeguard its assets and secure as this as possible the completeness and acccuracy of records” therefore this involves both internal check and audit.

Internal Check: This briefly refers to the method (techniques) of organizing and arraning the entire operation of office, factory and enhousing and the duties of respective staff so that risk of fraud, errors, irregularities and mismanagment will almost be impossible without conclusion. That is day-to-day transactions, segregation of duties and job performance in an organization.

Internal Audit: This is refers to an independent appraisal of activities within the organization of the check of certain operations as a service to the maangement, therefore, it is the maangement control to functions by the means of evaluating and measuring the  efficiency and effectiveness of other controls or checks. Meanwhile, the internal audit will ensure that some specific routine work are carrryout by the departments and that the laid down procedures  is adequately carry-out by all applicable areas as well as making recommendations to the management.

1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Auditing in its daily and primitive stage can in an existence since 16th Century, start when the first relationship began between those who provided capital and those who managed the business.

Moreover, the innovation of joint stock companies has enormously widened the possiility of raising capital for industry. As a result of the limited liability of the shareholders, it become possible to offer shares for subcription to the public and thus, the availability of capital to both industry and commence. “Stewardship”

Meanwhile, under the company from of business enterprises, the shareholders as a person, delegate the management of the enterprise to the board of directors and practically, the board submits to the shareholders the account of the enterprise so that its members may see a trur and fair view of the financial position and the profit and loss undertaking. Thus, in 19th century, the greatly arose  aneed by the shareholders as a body to appoint an auditor that will help in the presentation of statutory financial statement of the board of directors in order to show true and fair view of the financial position of the company.

However, in 20th century, mandatory provision as requirement made for the audit to limited liability accounts and presentation of audit report to numbers by the company acts in Nigeria have company or companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 1990.