INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEMS AND ITS RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IN TELECOMMUNICATION COMPANIES “A CASE STUDY OF ASIACELL”

The overall objective of this study was to establish the effects of internal controls on the financial performance of Asiacell as a telecommunication company in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This was achieved by looking at the effect of control environment, risk assessment, information and communication, control activities and monitoring on the return on asset of the selected company. The study used both primary and secondary techniques to collect the data. In the model, the dependent variable is financial performance while the independent variables are the components of internal controls. After analyzing the audited financial statements and filling the questioners by the employees of the selected company, the findings of the study showed that there is a significant relationship between internal controls and financial performance. The dependent and the independent variables in the study indicated a relationship with control environment, risk assessment. Information and communication and control activities illustrated a positive relationship with the financial performance while monitoring showed a negative relationship with financial performance. The study also found that, Asiacell had invested on effective internal control systems, thus, it had a better financial performance as compared to the related firms that had a weak internal control system. The study further recommends that the governing body, possibly supported by the audit committee, should ensure that the internal control system is periodically monitored and evaluated by the respective managers.