--- title: "Internal Control Questionnaires: How to See the Complete Picture" description: Given their importance, internal controls are a key area of focus for internal and external auditors. Learn more. image: https://info.mooredm.com/hubfs/q-magnifying-glass.jpg --- [![Moore_Doeren Mayhew_Logo_RGB_500px](https://info.mooredm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Moore_Doeren%20Mayhew_Logo_RGB_500px.png?width=550&height=60&name=Moore_Doeren%20Mayhew_Logo_RGB_500px.png "Moore_Doeren Mayhew_Logo_RGB_500px")](https://www.mooredm.com) - [ABOUT](https://www.mooredm.com/about) - [SERVICES](https://www.mooredm.com/services) - [INDUSTRIES](https://www.mooredm.com/industries) - [LOCATIONS](https://www.mooredm.com/locations) - [PEOPLE](https://www.mooredm.com/people) - [RESOURCES](https://www.mooredm.com/publications) - [GLOBALVIEW](https://info.mooredm.com/blog) [![GlobalVIEW-Webpage-Header-final-2](https://info.mooredm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/GlobalVIEW-Webpage-Header-final-2.jpg?width=2000&height=500&name=GlobalVIEW-Webpage-Header-final-2.jpg "GlobalVIEW-Webpage-Header-final-2")](https://info.mooredm.com/blog/mooredm.com) August 2, 2021 # Internal Control Questionnaires: How to See the Complete Picture ![topicIcon](http://www.sparkreaction.com/hubfs/Oceania%20Theme%202016/Images/topicIcon.png) [Internal Controls](https://info.mooredm.com/blog/topic/internal-controls) [![internal-control-questionnaires-how-to-see-the-complete-picture](https://info.mooredm.com/hubfs/q-magnifying-glass.jpg)](https://info.mooredm.com/blog/internal-control-questionnaires-how-to-see-the-complete-picture) Businesses rely on internal controls to help ensure the accuracy and integrity of their financial statements, as well as prevent fraud, waste and abuse. Given their importance, internal controls are a key area of focus for internal and external auditors. Many auditors use detailed internal control questionnaires to help evaluate the internal control environment — and ensure a comprehensive assessment. Although some audit teams still use paper-based questionnaires, many now prefer an electronic format. Here’s an overview of the types of questions that may be included and how the questionnaire may be used during an audit. The Basics The contents of internal control questionnaires vary from one audit firm to the next. They also may be customized for a particular industry or business. Most include general questions pertaining to the company’s mission, control environment and compliance situation. There also may be sections dedicated to mission-critical or fraud-prone elements of the company’s operations, such as: - Accounts receivable, - Inventory, - Property, plant and equipment, - Intellectual property (such as patents, copyrights and customer lists), - Trade payables, - Related party transactions, and - Payroll. Questionnaires usually don’t take long to complete, because most questions are closed-ended, requiring only yes-or-no answers. For example, a question might ask: Is a physical inventory count conducted annually? However, there also may be space for open-ended responses. For instance, a question might ask for a list of controls that limit physical access to the company’s inventory. Three Approaches Internal control questionnaires are generally administered using one the following three approaches: 1. Completion by company personnel. Here, management completes the questionnaire independently. The audit team might request the company’s organization chart to ensure that the appropriate individuals are selected to participate. Auditors also might conduct preliminary interviews to confirm their selections before assigning the questionnaire. 2. Completion by the auditor based on inquiry. Under this approach, the auditor meets with company personnel to discuss a particular element of the internal control environment. Then the auditor completes the relevant section of the questionnaire and asks the people who were interviewed to review and validate the responses. 3. Completion by the auditor after testing. Here, the auditor completes the questionnaire after observing and testing the internal control environment. Once auditors complete the questionnaire, they typically ask management to review and validate the responses. Enhanced Understanding The purpose of the internal control questionnaire is to help the audit team assess your company’s internal control system. Coupled with the audit team’s training, expertise and analysis, the questionnaire can help produce accurate, insightful audit reports. The insight gained from the questionnaire also can add value to your business by revealing holes in the control system that may need to be patched to prevent fraud, waste and abuse. [Contact us](https://info.mooredm.com/contact-mooredm) for more information. ![Jim-Noteman-7712-1](https://info.mooredm.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jim-Noteman-7712-1.jpg?upscale=true&width=200&upscale=true&name=Jim-Noteman-7712-1.jpg) Written by [James L. Noteman, CPA](https://info.mooredm.com/blog/author/james-l-noteman-cpa) SHARE THIS ARTICLE | [NEXT POST](https://info.mooredm.com/blog/financial-statements-take-the-time-to-read-the-entire-story) ## Get this information delivered straight to your mailbox. [![Subscribe to Our Newsletter](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2333341/72851b22-0bc4-4f0a-8f1a-ef88b5ca3304.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2333341/72851b22-0bc4-4f0a-8f1a-ef88b5ca3304) ### Recent Posts #### About Us Moore Doeren Mayhew assists privately-controlled businesses—and the families who own them—in building and preserving wealth by providing privileged access to specialists, knowledge, and the highest quality personal service. Our firm combines a breadth of international audit, assurance, tax and consulting services with local market knowledge and international strength. [Learn More](http://www.mooredm.com) #### More Links - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Home](http://www.moorestephensdm.com/) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] About Us](http://www.moorestephensdm.com/about) - [\[fa icon="caret-right"\] Contact Us](https://info.mooredm.com/contact-mooredm) #### Contact Us \[fa icon="phone"\]  +1 (248) 244-3060 \[fa icon="envelope"\]  [mdm@mooredm.com](mailto:mdm@mooredm.com) \[fa icon="home"\]  305 West Big Beaver Road, Troy Michigan 48084-0231 [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/10492787) [Twitter](https://twitter.com/moore__dm) Copyright 2026 \[fa icon="chevron-up"\]Back to top Cookie Settings