ICS Automation: How to Set the COSO Cube in Motion

Abstract

Concepts for implementing the internal control system (ICS) are heavily influenced by the COSO study, the internationally recognized standard in the ICS field. Many ICS implementation concepts are based on the theoretical construct of the COSO cube, with its 26 basic principles, five core components, and three dimensions. Concepts that, in practice, are offered by various consultancy firms or are designed in-house, frequently represent a high-quality framework from a content and design perspective — however, the framework is unfortunately usually based on Microsoft Excel and SAP users have to transfer it to the SAP platform. It is clear that such an approach does not offer any visions for automation.

The concept of an internal control system that works at the push of a button is very simple but at the same time very abstract: reason enough to dedicate a separate chapter to it.