# Manager's and Auditor's Roles in Assessing Internal Control Course Canonical URL: ## Overview Federal government agency heads must follow the requirements of the Federal Manager's Financial Integrity Act and OMB's Circular A-123 to assess and report on the agency's system of internal control. Learn how the required compliance assessment can be structured and carried out, including basic techniques and approaches for conducting evaluations and documenting their results. Understand the intent and content of OMB's 2016 revision to Circular A-123 and GAO’s 2014 revision to the Internal Control Standards (the Green Book). Effective January 30, 2018, the title of this course changed from Management's Responsibility for Internal Control (OMB Circular A-123) to Management's and Auditor's Roles in Assessing Internal Control. ## What you'll learn - Explain why internal control is important for helping managers accomplish organizational, operational, and program objectives for which they are responsible. - Identify the objectives and requirements for the Integrity Act. - Define management control, internal control, and the basic concepts and objectives for them. - Identify and apply GAO standards and OMB guidance for establishing and assessing controls. - Identify and apply key components of a control program. - Identify and apply key components of assessing controls. - Recognize and report deficiencies and material weaknesses. - Describe reporting requirements under the Integrity Act. - Identify auditors’ roles in applying auditing standards for assessing and reporting on the quality of internal controls in financial, attestation, and performance audits. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Internal Control – Key to Accountability - Defines accountability and its relationship to internal control. - Explores performance measurement and management functions that rely on internal controls. - Examines financial and performance accountability in federal programs. - Introduces the benefits and necessity of internal controls in managing public resources. #### Module 2: Legislation, Standards, and Guidance - Explains the Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act and related legislation. - Details GAO’s Green Book and OMB Circular A-123 standards and principles. - Introduces Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) and its connection to internal control systems. - Covers the roles of auditors and managers in maintaining compliance and accountability. #### Module 3: Establishing and Operating an Effective Internal Control System - Outlines the five components and 17 principles of internal control. - Describes how agencies should define objectives and implement controls. - Discusses entity-level and transaction-level controls and fraud risk assessment. - Identifies documentation requirements and best practices for system design. #### Module 4: Assessing Internal Control - Teaches methods for evaluating internal control design and effectiveness. - Identifies key controls and explains how to document assessments. - Discusses internal control assessment in audit planning and fieldwork. - Includes approaches for reporting deficiencies and recommendations. #### Module 5: Impact When Controls Fail - Analyzes the consequences of control failures in federal operations. - Identifies indicators of control weaknesses or breakdowns. - Provides real-world case examples of mismanagement and fraud. - Emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of proactive internal controls. #### Module 6: Correcting Internal Control Deficiencies - Describes the process for identifying, documenting, and prioritizing control deficiencies. - Outlines the development of corrective action plans and timelines. - Explains responsibilities of managers in monitoring and verifying corrections. - Discusses communication of deficiencies within the organization. #### Module 7: Reporting on Internal Control - Explains the requirement for assurance statements and annual reporting. - Describes the process for reporting material weaknesses and corrective actions. - Outlines the roles of GAO, OMB, and federal agencies in the reporting process. - Highlights the link between internal control reporting and agency transparency. ## Schedule - Jun 10, 2026 – Jun 11, 2026 — Live Online - Jul 22, 2026 – Jul 23, 2026 — Live Online - Aug 10, 2026 – Aug 11, 2026 — Live Online - Sep 28, 2026 – Sep 29, 2026 — Live Online - Oct 7, 2026 – Oct 8, 2026 — Live Online - Nov 9, 2026 – Nov 10, 2026 — Live Online - Dec 9, 2026 – Dec 10, 2026 — Live Online ## Instructors ### Mark Gebicke — Instructor Mark E. Gebicke is an accomplished consultant and instructor with over 50 years of experience in auditing, leadership, and federal program evaluation. A retired Senior Executive from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Mark spent two decades in GAO's Senior Executive Service, where he led performance reviews and provided congressional testimony on critical issues for agencies such as NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Justice. His expertise spans personnel, readiness, logistics, budget, operations, anti-terrorism, and weapon systems, as well as performance reviews for agencies like the Federal Reserve, U.S. Postal Service, and Department of Energy. In addition to his auditing and consulting work, Mark has been a dedicated instructor at Graduate School USA since 2008. He draws on his extensive experience to teach courses on auditing techniques, leadership, and project management. During his tenure at GAO, he also developed and implemented the agency's Professional Development Program, managing over 200 new staff annually and mentoring Senior Executive Service candidates. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from High Point University and a Master of Science in Governmental Administration from George Washington University, and he has received numerous awards for his contributions to both GAO and Graduate School USA. ### Penny Popps — Instructor Penny N. Popps is an exceptional leader with 20+ years of private and public sector experience and expertise in the field of accounting, audit, compliance, risk management, fraud, and internal controls. She is the recipient of multiple public service, appreciation, recognition, and performance awards. And she’s currently devoted to teaching Financial Management courses at Graduate School USA as an Instructor. During her almost 15 years as a Federal Government Public Servant, she had many pivotal transformational leadership roles including being the 1st Fraud Risk Manager at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) where she successfully helped to mature its Fraud Risk Management Program. She has a B.B.A in Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington, Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Texas Woman’s University, Advanced Technical Certificate in Professional Accountancy from Dallas College, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Internal Controls Auditor (CICA), and the Department of Defense (DOD) Financial Management Certifications along with an ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) Certification. Prior to SBA, she had a career at HUD that spans over six years managing projects that ensured the successful and efficient delivery of affordable, safe, and decent housing to U.S. citizens along with safeguarding HUD's programs from fraud, waste, and abuse. While at HUD she led multiple audit teams in the execution of complex quality control reviews of independent public accounting firms (Single Audits), CIGIE reviews, financial assessments, staffing studies, annual OMB A-123 risk assessment reviews for the Accountability, Integrity, & Risk (AIR) Program, etc. During her Federal Government career, she also was the Branch Chief of Financial Reporting at the DHS ICE OCFO, Office of FM-Financial Service Center. She oversaw the operations of both the Payroll and Fund Balance with Treasury Units for all DHS ICE components which processed approximately $5.2B in payroll transactions and reconciled $10.1B in cash transactions, achieving improved optimization of FM. For many years, she also successfully led and supervised audit teams at the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) in which she recovered millions in questioned costs owed from contractors. And within state government, she recovered millions of sales and use tax dollars owed to the Texas State Comptroller of Public Accounts as she led various audits. All of her efforts ensured that taxpayer dollars were being utilized reasonably and efficiently. Popps’ many years of experience in the private sector included helping to build successful internal audit divisions at major corporations such as Essilor Group and Fossil Group. During her career, she continues to gain expertise and knowledge while paying it forward by mentoring, coaching, and training those new to the accounting, audit, compliance, risk management, fraud, and internal controls industries. Popps is very passionate about all her philanthropy and volunteer efforts, especially with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Junior League of Washington. It’s her mission to continue to provide service to all mankind during her career, in retirement, and throughout her life. She currently resides in Alexandria, VA and spends her leisure time reading. ### Lyndon S. Remias — Instructor Lyndon Remias is a trailblazer in the field of government auditing, known for his integrity, leadership, and commitment to public accountability. With over 28 years of experience spanning public, private, and governmental sectors, Lyndon has built a reputation as a trusted expert in financial oversight and risk management. He holds multiple professional certifications, including Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), Certified Government Auditing Professional (CGAP), and Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA)—credentials that reflect both his technical mastery and dedication to excellence. Lyndon’s career includes impactful roles at organizations such as the City of Virginia Beach, Amerigroup Corporation, Eastern Virginia Medical School, NEXCOM, Auditor of Public Accounts, and KPMG, where he honed his skills in operational auditing, compliance, and performance evaluation. His leadership extended into public service when he was elected to the Virginia Beach School Board, demonstrating his commitment to community engagement and education. A passionate educator and thought leader, Lyndon has served as a seminar instructor for the Graduate School and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), earning recognition as a Distinguished Instructor for his engaging delivery and deep subject matter expertise. He has presented at numerous professional conferences and has held key leadership positions within the IIA and the Virginia Local Government Auditors Association (VLGAA), including serving as President of both organizations. Currently, Lyndon contributes to the profession as a peer review team leader for the Association of Local Government Auditors (ALGA), helping ensure audit quality and ethical standards across the country. A proud graduate of Old Dominion University, Lyndon earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. In 2013, he was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from ODU’s Accounting Department for his outstanding contributions to the profession and the university. ### James T. Campbell — Instructor James T. Campbell is a subject matter expert in federal financial management with more than a decade of experience developing and teaching budgeting, accounting, auditing, and internal control courses at Graduate School USA. His background includes extensive federal management consulting and audit work as a Senior Principal Consultant with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and IBM Consulting Services, as well as a long career providing independent audit and review services with the U.S. Government Accountability Office. At Graduate School USA, James Campbell leads classes on internal control requirements, performance auditing, federal accounting, financial statements, analysis techniques, and budgeting. He has also served as lead SME for the design of several open-enrollment courses focused on decision support and analytical skills. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from East Tennessee State University, an M.P.A. from Georgia State University, and is an active member of the AICPA and the Association of Government Accountants. ### Angelo Capolupo — Instructor Angelo M. Capolupo is a retired U.S. Army Colonel with over 38 years of military service and more than four decades of federal financial management experience. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM), with a Master’s degree in Accounting from Rider University and a Master’s in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. Throughout his career, Angelo has held senior financial leadership roles, including Comptroller and Chief Financial Officer for the New Jersey Army & Air National Guard, as well as CFO for the New Jersey Department of Military & Veterans Affairs. His expertise spans federal budgeting, accounting, auditing, internal controls, payroll, grants management, and federal appropriations law. Notably, he established centralized funding and accounting operations supporting over $1.7 billion in wartime funding during deployments to Iraq, Bosnia, and Germany. Angelo has taught federal financial management to audiences ranging from entry-level staff to senior executives and continues to bring real-world experience into the classroom. He joined the GSUSA instructor team in early 2024 and is committed to helping students understand federal financial practices through practical examples and historical context. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $1049