Inherent risk

Inherent risk is the risk of loss that exists in an organization prior to the implementation of any internal control. It is the risk of loss due to internal factors, such as employee error or fraud, or external factors, such as technological glitches or economic recession.

Inherent risk can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Poor internal controls: Poor internal controls are a major source of inherent risk. This may include inadequate processes, weak segregation of duties, and lack of monitoring.
• Lack of employee training: Employee training is essential for preventing errors and fraudulent activities. Without proper training, employees may make mistakes or take advantage of their positions.
• External environment: The external environment can also create inherent risk. This includes changes in the economy, industry regulations, and technological advances that can affect a company’s operations.
• Data security: Data security is an important factor in preventing data breaches and other cyber-related threats. If a company does not have adequate data security measures in place, it increases the risk of a data breach.

Inherent risk is an important factor for organizations to consider when assessing their overall risk profile. Companies should take steps to mitigate inherent risk through proper internal controls, employee training, and data security measures. This will help them to minimize their risk and protect their assets.

Example of Inherent risk

One example of inherent risk is the risk of employee error caused by lack of training. Poorly trained employees can make mistakes or take advantage of their positions, which can lead to losses for the organization. Organizations should ensure that all employees have adequate training to reduce the risk of employee error and fraud.

Another example of inherent risk is the risk of data breach caused by inadequate data security measures. Companies must have adequate data security measures in place to protect sensitive information from malicious actors. Without proper data security, organizations are at risk of losing confidential data or having it exposed to unauthorized users.

Formula of Inherent risk

Inherent risk can be calculated using the following formula: Inherent Risk = Probability of Loss x Impact of Loss. The probability of loss is the likelihood of an event occurring and the impact of loss is the magnitude of the effect of the event. For example, a company might have a 10% chance of experiencing a data breach, with a potential loss of $5 million. The inherent risk in this case would be calculated as 10% x $5 million = $500,000.

When to use Inherent risk

Inherent risk is important to consider when assessing the overall risk profile of an organization. It is important for organizations to identify and assess the factors that can create inherent risk and take steps to mitigate it. This may include implementing internal controls, providing employee training, and implementing data security measures. By understanding and managing inherent risk, organizations can minimize their risk and protect their assets.

Types of Inherent risk

• Legal risk: Legal risk is the risk of financial or reputational damage due to a failure to comply with laws, regulations, or agreements. This could include an antitrust violation, a breach of contract, or an environmental violation.
• Credit risk: Credit risk is the risk of loss due to a borrower's failure to repay a loan. This can include consumer loans, business loans, and mortgages.
• Operational risk: Operational risk is the risk of financial or reputational damage due to a failure or breakdown in internal processes, systems, or people. This could include a computer system failure, a data breach, or an employee error.

Inherent risk is an important consideration for organizations when assessing their overall risk profile. Companies should take steps to identify and mitigate the risks associated with their operations, such as legal risk, credit risk, and operational risk. This will help them protect their assets and minimize their risk of loss.

Steps of Inherent risk

Inherent risk is the risk of loss that exists in an organization prior to the implementation of any internal control. To assess and mitigate inherent risk, companies should take the following steps:

• Assess the risks: Companies should conduct a risk assessment to identify potential areas of risk. This includes examining internal controls, employee training, and data security measures.
• Set up internal controls: Companies should set up internal controls to reduce the risk of errors and fraud. This includes implementing procedures and processes, as well as establishing a segregation of duties.
• Monitor the environment: Companies should monitor the external environment, such as changes in the economy, industry regulations, and technological advances. This will help them to identify potential risks and take steps to mitigate them.
• Train employees: Companies should provide employees with proper training on internal controls and data security measures. This will help to reduce the risk of errors and fraudulent activities.

Advantages of Inherent risk

• Better Understaning of Risk: Inherent risk provides an organization with a better understanding of its risk profile. This helps the organization to identify potential risks and prioritize its efforts to mitigate them.
• Improved Risk Management: By understanding the inherent risks, organizations can develop effective risk management strategies and policies to address them. This can help reduce the risk of losses and protect the company’s assets.
• Increased Efficiency: By understanding the inherent risks, organizations can identify areas of inefficiency and take corrective action. This helps them to improve their operations and maximize their efficiency.

Limitations of Inherent risk

Inherent risk has some limitations as a tool to measure and assess risk. These include:

• Inherent risk does not account for internal control effectiveness: Inherent risk does not take into account the effectiveness of internal controls. It is possible for a company to have high inherent risk but low actual risk due to strong internal controls.
• Inherent risk does not account for external factors: Inherent risk does not take into account external factors such as economic conditions, political stability, or technological advances. These external factors can significantly affect a company’s operations, and should be taken into account when assessing risk.
• Inherent risk does not account for future changes: Inherent risk does not account for future changes in the internal or external environment that may affect a company’s operations. Companies should be aware of potential changes and how they could affect their operations.

Other approaches related to Inherent risk

• Risk assessment: Risk assessment is the process of identifying, evaluating, and responding to the risks associated with an organization. This includes identifying potential risks, assessing their impact, and developing strategies to manage them.
• Risk management: Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and responding to potential risks. This involves developing strategies to reduce or mitigate the potential risk, as well as creating plans to respond to any potential risks.
• Internal control: Internal control is the process of ensuring the accuracy and security of financial information. This includes creating processes and procedures to ensure accuracy and integrity of data, as well as monitoring and auditing processes to ensure compliance with regulations and policies.

Inherent risk is an important factor for organizations to consider when assessing their overall risk profile. Proper risk assessment, risk management, and internal control are key elements of mitigating inherent risk. Companies should take steps to identify and address potential risks in order to reduce their risk and protect their assets.

Inherent risk — recommended articles

Specific risk — Reduction of risk — Information risk — Accident management — Tail risk — Risk treatment plan — Supply chain risk — Sources of risk — Transfer risk

References

• Shariff, A. M., & Leong, C. T. (2009). Inherent risk assessment—a new concept to evaluate risk in preliminary design stage. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 87(6), 371-376.
• Taylor, M. H. (2000). The effects of industry specialization on auditors' inherent risk assessments and confidence judgements. Contemporary Accounting Research, 17(4), 693-712.