Internal controls are the foundation of financial integrity, fraud prevention, and operational efficiency. At Orsak Langner & Barthel PLLC, we help organizations of all sizes design, implement, and strengthen internal controls that protect their assets and reputation.

Internal controls refer to the systems and processes used to ensure that financial operations are accurate, compliant, and secure. These controls help:

• Prevent fraud and misuse of funds
• Ensure financial reports are reliable
• Promote accountability across teams
• Comply with regulatory and audit standards
• Maintain investor and board confidence

We support clients by:

• Identifying control gaps in existing operations
• Designing policies and approval hierarchies
• Establishing separation of duties
• Creating custom control workflows
• Preparing audit-ready documentation

Whether you're a growing small business, a nonprofit receiving grant funds, or a corporation preparing for external review, effective internal controls are critical for long-term success.

• Startups and small businesses scaling up operations
• Nonprofits managing donor funds or grant oversight
• Companies preparing for financial audits or investor due diligence
• Family businesses introducing non-family management
• Organizations with concerns about fraud or irregularities

We don’t just create controls — we implement systems that fit your real-world structure.

At Orsak Langner & Barthel PLLC, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all control policies. Effective internal controls must align with your team size, your accounting system, and your operations. We work with Texas businesses and nonprofits to create practical internal control systems that are understood, followed, and auditable.

When we help clients build internal controls, we focus on these key areas:

1. Control Environment: We evaluate leadership’s tone, ethics, and organizational structure. Clear responsibility and accountability reduce risk at every level.
2. Risk Assessment: We identify where errors or fraud are most likely to occur and implement control points that prevent, detect, or correct them.
3. Control Activities: We design step-by-step workflows for approvals, reconciliations, asset tracking, and financial reporting to ensure proper checks and balances.
4. Information & Communication: We help establish protocols for how financial information is collected, reviewed, and shared internally and with auditors, boards, or funders.
5. Monitoring Activities: We build in periodic reviews — such as monthly reconciliations, surprise checks, or rotating duties — to keep controls active and current.

Whether you’re using QuickBooks, Sage, or spreadsheets, our controls work with your tech stack — not against it. We regularly help clients align their control policies with:

• GAAP Implementation
• Internal Control Documentation
• Part-Time Controller/CFO
• Accounting System Selection & Setup

We can also collaborate with external auditors or internal boards to strengthen governance.

Yes, internal controls are often required for audits and grants. But beyond that, they build organizational health:

• Reducing employee burnout by clarifying duties
• Preventing fraud or loss before it occurs
• Building trust with boards, banks, and investors
• Making growth more manageable and controlled

Even a few simple policies can transform how your organization handles money.

At Orsak Langner & Barthel PLLC, we’ve worked with clients across Houston and the state of Texas to build control environments that scale with their needs. Whether you’re a nonprofit, a startup, or an established enterprise, we meet you where you are and strengthen your systems with care and clarity.

With Orsak CPAs, you get:

• Real-world controls built for real-world teams
• Coordination with your accounting, audit, or finance needs
• Local CPAs who care about your operations, not just your paperwork
• A trusted partner in safeguarding your organization’s integrity