Segregation of duties is a key internal control and among the most difficult of objectives to achieve. Adequate segregation of duties ensures that errors or irregularities are prevented or detected on a timely basis in the normal course of business. Segregation of duties provides two benefits:

• A deliberate fraud is more difficult because it requires collusion of two or more personnel
• It is more likely that innocent errors will be detected

Appropriate segregation of duties means that no single individual has control over two or more phases of a transaction or operation. Sirius Solutions’ teams of experienced professionals can assist management in evaluating job responsibilities and identifying individuals or functions that have conflicting responsibilities.

When evaluating and assessing IT functions, Sirius Solutions works with IT Management to ensure segregation between systems development and operations, operations data control, and data base administration and system development.  See Information Technology Controls for additional services in this area.