Internal Controls 101: Reducing Risk in Day-to-Day Operation (Webinar)

Strong internal controls are essential for protecting public resources, reducing operational risk, and supporting accountability across federal agencies—yet many employees don't fully understand how internal controls impact their daily work.

In this practical and easy-to-follow webinar, participants will learn the fundamentals of internal controls based on the Government Accountability Office's Green Book: Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government. The session will explore common areas of risk, examples of preventive and detective controls, and practical ways employees and managers can strengthen oversight, improve documentation, and support compliance in everyday operations.

Attendees will also review real-world examples of internal control weaknesses related to approvals, reconciliations, segregation of duties, documentation, and oversight responsibilities. Whether you work in financial management, acquisitions, program management, or administrative operations, this webinar will provide actionable insights that can immediately be applied within your organization.

This session is ideal for federal employees seeking a foundational understanding of internal controls and their role in reducing risk, improving accountability, and supporting audit readiness.

Key Takeaways

• Understand the purpose and importance of internal controls in federal operations
• Identify common internal control weaknesses and operational risks
• Distinguish between preventive, detective, and corrective controls
• Recognize how internal controls support accountability, compliance, and audit readiness
• Apply practical strategies to strengthen internal controls in day-to-day operations