Assessment of Internal Control Systems Of Multi-purpose Cooperatives in Enderta Woreda, Tigray, Ethiopia

The focus of this paper aims at assessing the internal control systems in multipurpose cooperatives in Enderta Woreda. This research took the view that the internal control existing in multipurpose cooperatives is not competent to lead the cooperatives strategically to accomplish their purpose. Interview Schedule with five point scales were administered to a sample of board members, members and paid employees of the six multipurpose cooperatives. Besides, focus group discussion was conducted with selected informants. The research has used descriptive statistics to analyze the data. The study considered the attributes of internal control systems as per the COSO model. These attributes are: Control environment, Risk assessment, and Control activities, Information and Communication and Monitoring. As per the analysis, the level of education of members is low to understand the mission of their cooperative; members give lower attention to the operation of their cooperative; shortsighted leadership and members; less commitment to participate in the annual cooperative meetings; membership with less confidence in the cooperative leaders and lack of cooperation among cooperatives. In general, the findings of the study revealed that the internal control system in multipurpose