methods and policies designed to prevent fraud, minimize errors, promote operating efficiency, and achieve compliance with established policies. Even more narrowly, procedures and policies designed to prevent or uncover errors and fraud.

A set of policies and procedures to prevent deliberate or misguided use of funds for unauthorized purposes.

An internal control structure designed to ensure that the assets of the County are protected from loss, theft, or misuse. The internal control structure is designed to provide reasonable assurance that these objectives are met. The concept of reasonable assurance recognizes the 1) the cost of a control should not exceed the benefits likely to be derived and 2) the valuation of costs and benefits requires estimates and judgments by management.

What is needed to avoid losses in the handling of funds: either cash, checks or credit cards.