INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING (ICFR) – SUBSEQUENT YEAR OF ADOPTION
Section 1.3(1) of Guidance on Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (ICFR) requires that every Public Company and Public Interest Entity (PIE) are required to file, on annual basis, its audited financial statements including a report on Management assessment on internal control over financial reporting, to the Commission and Council. Public companies and PIEs were mandated to report on ICFR in 2023 and 2024 respectively.
In the subsequent year of adopting ICFR, organizations transition from the initial design and implementation phase into a period of testing, and continuous improvement.
While the first year focuses heavily on establishing frameworks, policies, and control documentation, the second and subsequent year is about strengthening execution, adapting practices into daily operations, and achieving sustainable compliance.
PML Offering in subsequent reporting year
To achieve subsequent years’ objectives around report on ICFR, PML is pleased to offer the following:
Perform walkthrough and substantive testing to confirm that controls are operating as designed.
Identify gaps between documented processes and actual practices.
Provide recommendations and hands-on support to address control deficiencies noted during the first year.
Streamline redundant controls and align them with evolving business processes.
Support management in preparing reliable internal and external reports for regulators, auditors, and investors.
Conduct training and awareness programs to strengthen accountability and control ownership.
With PML Professional Services as your ICFR partner, your year 2 and subsequent year of ICFR report is about turning your compliance into competitive advantage and enhanced confidence in the numbers reported in your financial statements.
For more information on your 2025 ICFR assessment and readiness for attestation, please contact Adeola Adesanya on 08038499321 or aadesanya@pml.com.ng.
INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING (ICFR) – SUBSEQUENT YEAR OF ADOPTION
Enhancing the Reliability of Financial Reporting
Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICFR) is a fundamental component of sound corporate governance for Public Interest Entities (PIEs). It provides reasonable assurance that financial transactions are accurately recorded, authorized, and reported in accordance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements. By embedding effective preventive and detective controls throughout financial processes, ICFR strengthens the integrity, completeness, and accuracy of financial statements, thereby reducing the risk of material misstatements arising from error or fraud.
Driving Investor Confidence and Stakeholder Trust
Reliable financial reporting is critical to maintaining the confidence of investors, regulators, creditors, and other stakeholders. An effective ICFR framework demonstrates management's commitment to transparency, accountability, and financial discipline. This enhances the credibility of published financial information, supports informed decision-making by capital market participants, and reinforces the reputation of PIEs as responsible stewards of public and shareholder resources
Mitigating Regulatory and Compliance Risk
Given the heightened regulatory oversight applicable to Public Interest Entities, robust ICFR plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with financial reporting obligations and governance requirements. Well-designed and effectively operating controls enable organizations to identify and address deficiencies proactively, reduce the likelihood of regulatory breaches, financial penalties, and reputational damage, and support timely remediation where control weaknesses are identified. Ultimately, a strong ICFR framework promotes operational resilience, strengthens governance, and contributes to the long-term sustainability of the organization.
Navigating Nigeria's ICFR Requirements
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) of Nigeria issued the Guidance on Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICFR) in November 2022, pursuant to Section 7(2)(f) of the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act, 2011 (as amended). The Guidance introduced mandatory annual management assessment and reporting on the effectiveness of Internal Control over Financial Reporting for Public Interest Entities (PIEs), with independent auditor attestation.
Category
Mandatory ICFR Reporting Timeline
Public Companies
Effective for annual reports beginning 31 December 2023
Other Public Interest Entities (Private PIEs)
Effective for annual reports ending on or after 31 December 2024
Government/Public Sector Agencies
Originally effective for 31 December 2024, with a one-year waiver granted by the FRC. Mandatory submission now applies to 2025 audited financial statements filed in 2026.
How PML Professional Services Supports Your Organization
PML Professional Services provides end-to-end ICFR advisory, implementation, and review services designed to help Public Interest Entities achieve sustainable compliance while strengthening financial governance. Leveraging deep expertise in governance, risk management, internal controls, and financial reporting, our team works collaboratively with management to build an efficient and risk-based ICFR framework aligned with regulatory expectations and internationally recognized leading practices.
Our ICFR service offerings include:
ICFR readiness assessments, including enterprise-wide gap analysis and implementation planning.
Risk assessment and control framework development, including process mapping, Risk and Control Matrices (RCMs), and ICFR documentation aligned with the COSO Framework.
Control testing and evaluation, covering both design and operating effectiveness of key financial reporting controls.
Control deficiency identification and remediation support, including management assessment and ICFR reporting.
Independent ICFR reviews and continuous compliance support to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance and control maturity.
At PML Professional Services, we recognize that ICFR compliance extends beyond meeting regulatory requirements, it is an opportunity to strengthen governance, enhance operational discipline, improve investor confidence, and establish a resilient financial reporting environment capable of supporting long-term organizational growth.
