Assessing the Role of Internal Control System Components in Kenyan Public Universities: A Case Study of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology

Organizations establish systems of internal control to help them achieve performance and organizational goals, prevent loss of resources, enable production of reliable reports and ensure compliance with laws and regulations. The purpose of this research therefore was to establish the role of internal control system components in Kenyan public universities. The study was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative approaches using survey and case study as research designs. Data was collected using closed-ended questionnaires as well as review of available documents and records. The study used a sample size of 138 respondents from finance and finance related departments. From the findings of the study, it is clear that the university has clear structures and policies are documented. The findings indicate that staff awareness of the risk assessment process and its objectives had the least mean implying that the respondents believe that one of the reasons for ineffectiveness of the internal control systems is the fact that not all employees are aware of the risk assessment process. The results also indicate that most employees are not conversant with the reporting structure which is important in reporting on the structure and performance of their governance, risk management, and internal control system.The findings also show that most employees are in agreement that information and how it is communicated is important in enhancing internal controls. The respondents are equally unsure whether the internal auditors make appropriate recommendations to management to improve or whether management discusses internal audit reports regularly. The trend can be attributed to the feedback system and the communication channels used to report these recommendations and therefore it is prudent that the university management ensures the monitoring and evaluation of internal controls is a participatory process