ATWINE DONARM2024-10-292024-10-292024-09-09https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12311/2009The study aimed at investigating the impact of internal controls on the operational efficiency of small and medium enterprises, a case study of Capital Shoppers Supermarket. The study objectives were to examine the internal control systems used by Capital Shopper’s Supermarket, to assess the impact of risk assessment on the operational efficiency of Capital Shoppers Supermarket and to establish the relationship between internal control systems and the operational efficiency of Capital Shoppers Supermarket. The study used a cross-sectional research design to relate the variables in the study. The study population consisted of 83 employees from various departments of the Capital Shoppers supermarket and a sample of 69 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling technique. The study used questionnaires as tools for data collection and data was analysed using the SPSS software. Correlation and regression were also used to analyse the relationship between the study variables. The study found out that Capital Shopper's Supermarket utilizes various internal control systems to safeguard the organization's resources and ensure compliance with regulations such as physical controls, internal audit departments and segregation of duties, it also found out that conducting regular risk assessments has been identified as a main way of detecting and managing potential risks, including those related to supply chain, information technology, financial management, and regulatory compliance and also found out that there is a strong positive relationship (0.998) between internal control systems and operational efficiency in Capital Shopper’s Supermarket. This study concluded that internal control systems have a positive effect on the operational efficiency of SMEs through physical control measures, financial control systems, information technology control systems, internal audits, and segregation of duties being considered important systems. Regular monitoring and review of internal control systems is necessary for maintaining effectiveness. The study recommended regular review of internal control systems, documenting control systems and processes, regular employee training, investing in physical and information technology control systems, and continuous monitoring of internal control systems.en