Understand the concept of internal control and the relationship with other disciplines. Understand the role of internal control in producing information of high quality and in promoting the efficiency and effectiveness of an organisation's operations. Understand the different control frameworks and how they relate to each other. Learn about the typology of organisations framework and apply this framework to design effective internal control systems for different types of organisations. Learn about current research in the area of internal control.
Graduates have profound, evidence-based and up-to-date academic knowledge and understanding of theories, methods and tools in business/economics. This includes demonstrating the ability to develop new ideas.
Graduates can apply their profound knowledge and understanding to identify and solve also unstructured or semi-structured real life business/economic problems in unfamiliar environments within broader multidisciplinary contexts. This includes demonstrating
analytical skills and a problem-solving attitude.
Graduates can integrate various perspectives to formulate judgments even with incomplete information on complex theoretical and practical business/economic issues.
Graduates can independently conduct research.
Graduates can effectively communicate both to specialist and nonspecialist audiences. This includes demonstrating strong presentation skills, project- management skills, interpersonal skills, a high level of argumentation and context sensitivity.
Graduates have self-directed learning skills and the ability to regulate their own learning process.
Graduates have a professional attitude. This includes demonstrating an open mind, proactive behaviour, critical reflection and accountability.
Graduates can effectively function in a multicultural environment and work in multicultural teams. This includes demonstrating interpersonal skills, a high proficiency of English, and cultural sensitivity.
Graduates show social responsibility. This includes demonstrating awareness for academic and scientific responsibility in a broader social or ethical context.

The area of internal control and accounting information systems concerns the quality of (financial) information. As a result of recent corporate financial scandals, this has become a significant issue in today's business. Every business needs a control system that monitors the effectiveness and efficiency of operations, reduces the risk of asset loss, and helps to ensure the quality and compliance with laws and regulations. The course Internal Control first discusses some key concepts of internal control, such as the role of information, the COSO control framework, and the typology of organisations framework. Thereafter, based on the typology of organisations framework, the course addresses the evaluation and design of effective and efficient internal controls for different types of organisations applying contemporary techniques such as process mining. Furthermore, we discuss current IT developments such as blockchain and current research in the area of internal control.

Vaassen, E.H.J., Meuwissen, R.H.G., and Schelleman, C.C.M. 2009. Accounting Information Systems and Internal Control. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.
Reader with academic articles.

This course is in transition for the:
* master Business Research - No specialisation
* master Business Research - Operations Research
* master Fiscal Economics.
See the Master Education and Examination Regulations for more information.

The following rule applies to master Business Research students who started the programme prior to academic year 2024-2025.
TRANSITIONAL REGULATION (EBC4069):
The master Business Research has been discontinued.
Courses of the Business Research master’s programme will continue to be offered until and including academic year 2025-2026 with exam opportunities running until and including 2026-2027.

The following rule applies to master Fiscal Economics students who started the programme prior to academic year 2024-2025.
TRANSITIONAL REGULATION (EBC4069):
The master Fiscal Economics has been discontinued.
Courses of the Fiscal Economics master’s programme will continue to be offered until and including academic year 2024-2025 with exam opportunities running until and including 2025-2026.