Introduction

Each agency is responsible for establishing and maintaining an effective system of internal control. Internal controls can provide reasonable, but not absolute, assurance that an agency’s objectives—including the prevention or detection of fraud, waste, and abuse—will be met. The objectives of internal control include the reliability of financial reporting, feedback on achieving organizational strategic goals, safeguarding of assets, increased efficiency, and compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and the terms of contracts and grants. More information about internal controls and minimal internal control structure requirements can be found in Topic 05 of the State of Arizona Accounting Manual (SAAM). The internal control self-assessment (ICSA) is meant as a catalyst to improve agency operations and achieve agency objectives.

Surveys may be submitted at any time during the fiscal year. The General Accounting Office (GAO) encourages all agencies to submit surveys as each one is completed; GAO does not require that all surveys be submitted at once. However, SAAM 0526 requires that agencies complete all surveys no later than April 30th of each year.

Additional Information

• Review Internal Control Self-Assessment Surveys - Annual Submissions and Tips for Success prior to submission.
• Submit only one response per survey for each agency.
• Agencies may submit surveys at any time during the fiscal year, but no later than April 30th of each year.
• The person who submits the survey will receive a copy of the agency’s response via email immediately after the survey is submitted. This email contains a link that allows the submitter to modify the survey responses at any time up until the survey period has closed. GAO recommends to maintain a copy for agency records.
• If the agency contracts with Central Services Bureau (CSB), CSB will work with the agency to help the agency complete the survey regarding the contracted services. The agency is responsible for submitting the survey online.
• If the agency submitted a response for previous fiscal years’ surveys and would like to obtain a copy of the survey, email ADOA GAO Internal Audit at [email protected]. 
• If there are internal control questions at any time, contact ADOA GAO Internal Audit at [email protected].
• If there are questions about a survey item, or the agency response is of a sensitive nature, contact GAO Internal Audit directly to discuss in advance of completing the survey.
• If the agency needs to update the CFO or CFO Designee, contact ADOA GAO at [email protected].
• Additional training related to internal controls is available through the Employee Learning Portal. The course code has been provided below.