When assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and compliance with financial-related laws and regulations, management must follow the assessment process contained in Appendix A. Annually, management must provide assurances on internal control in its Performance and Accountability Report, including a separate assurance on internal control over financial reporting, along with a report on identified material weaknesses and corrective actions.

WHITEHOUSE: OMB Circular A-123 - Management's Responsibility for Internal Control | The White House

However, we can provide no assurance at this time that management will be able to report that our internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2012, or that our registered public accounting firm will be able to attest that such internal controls are effective.

FORBES: Connect

Where internal audit can identify cost savings and improve processes, we think this is a positive contribution in addition to providing assurance on controls.

FORBES: The State of Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance According To Protiviti