|
|
||||||
|
|
|||||||
|
|
Fraud Prevention and Detection in a Manufacturing Environment
The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) estimated in its 2008 Report to the Nation on Occupational Fraud and Abuse that organizations lose 7 percent of annual revenues to occupational fraud. This represents a 40 percent increase from the estimate in its 2006 report. In other words, fraud is an increasing risk in an organization’s risk portfolio that must be addressed.
This is particularly relevant to manufacturing companies. During periods of economic uncertainty, fraudulent activity generally tends to rise. Prior to the current economic crisis, the 2008 ACFE study revealed the following about the manufacturing environment:
This article explains the principles of an effective fraud risk
management program, discusses the fraud risk assessment process, outlines
common frauds in the manufacturing environment, and provides examples of
data analytics that can detect fraud in that environment.
Click here the rest of the story!
This article was contributed by Protiviti KnowledgeLeader, an online service providing tools, templates, and other resources for internal audit and risk management. Free trials available at www.knowledgeleader.com.
Recession Special! Get 10% off
AuditNet® Community Sponsor News! Thanks to ACL, Paisley and TeamMate for sponsoring the newsletter!
Industry Leadership Opportunity
AuditNet and RuleSphere invite public comments and commitments of support regarding our Global Audit Advisory industry initiative described herein. This document describes the industry boards that manage and oversee the industry requirements across the broad market segment known as Governance Risk Compliance (GRC). It is these GRC requirements that now make up AuditNet’s Audit Work Programs (AWPs).
For details please click here!
The theme of this month's newsletter is fraud and therefore you will find articles and links to resources focused on that subject. Next month's theme is audit reporting. If you have an article or resource on the theme please send it along to the editor.
Remember! Clicking on sponsored ads and visiting their sites helps support AuditNet®.
Communication Tips All a Twitterby Robbie Miller Kaplan
author of How to Say it When You Don't Know What to Say: The Right Words For Difficult Times Illness and Death and How to Say it in Your Job Search
We’ve witnessed the power of Twitter; communications concerning the Iranian election protests and the death of Michael Jackson spread like wildfire. “Tweets,” short messages of 140 characters or less, allow users to blast messages to their followers who can then “Retweet” or “RT” to others following them. This is the newest way to communicate online but is it a viable tool for you?
Joel Comm, author of “Twitter Power,” presents a persuasive and instructive case for using Twitter. To better understand how and why to tweet, check out Joel’s blog post on the “Fourteen Types of Tweets:”
Follow Jim Kaplan @auditnet or Robbie Kaplan @How2SayIt.
Visit the Comforting Words blog for helping friends and colleagues get through tough times! AuditNet® What's New This Month? From the Editor!
AuditNet begins adding new content to the Basic Subscription Level
Effective September 1, 2009 AuditNet begins adding new content to the basic subscription level. This increases the value of the basic level as content for this section has not changed since 2006. This month we have added CICS Essentials Auditing CICS A Beginner's Guide and a Signature Authority Matrix Template. Watch for new additions each month!
AuditNet has established new networking opportunities for auditors through social networking sites such as LinkedIn, Google Groups, Ning and more. LinkedIn's Professional Audit Information Network has over 2,700 members. What a great tool which includes group discussions, news and the opportunity to network with other professionals around the world!
AuditNet is currently building fraud analytics into audit work programs to provide auditors with a new tool for compliance with the standards. We will also be working on a monograph on Building Fraud Detection into the Audit Process.
AuditNet is also negotiating with several organizations to offer low cost training for basic auditing, fraud and internal controls. Watch for press releases on these new initiatives.
New audit programs are also now available. Subscribers may access these documents now.
AuditNet articles will now include the ability to provide feedback and comments. We are looking at a way to rate audit programs as well. Stay tuned!
AudiTalk, AuditNet's redesigned free discussion forum site went active February 1 with many new categories. Visit the new forum, register and begin sharing with your peers. The forum is moderated so no spammers are allowed.
Contest: Where in the world is Jim Kaplan? The picture will change periodically so check back for your chance to win free access for a year! Send your answer to WITW.
AuditNet is working on several fronts to enhance the audit programs and incorporate audit content into other software applications. One of these applications will offer Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions to requirement management. AuditNet has always supported new solutions and has encouraged start ups and other software vendors to enhance their products for both the mainstream as well as the small internal audit functions. We will continue to seek out opportunities that offer the global audit community new ways of doing business.
AUDITNET® SURVEYS Public School Auditors 2009
When I worked at a large school district as the only internal auditor I conducted a survey to benchmark and determine the state of auditing in public school districts in the U.S. The survey was last updated in 2005 the year that I ended my career in public education. Recently I was asked if the survey had ever been updated and decided that it would be worthwhile for public school auditors to see what has changed. I am contacting public school districts to complete the survey but would appreciate any public school auditors to participate.
Click Here to take the Public School Audit survey
Previous Surveys
Sarbanes-Oxley and Internal Audit
Writing for AuditNet? AuditNet Editorial Guidelines Based on the number of articles being contributed to AuditNet we have developed editorial guidelines for future submissions. If you are planning to write an article please review the guidelines before submission. We appreciate receiving material from the global audit community in the interest of sharing knowledge. We are also in the process of guidelines for book reviews and other material submitted for inclusion on AuditNet. Get Audit Related Books Free! Interested in developing your writing skills with having access to the latest audit and business related books? AuditNet is looking for auditors that would like to review books for the benefit of the audit community. This is an excellent way to build your professional publication library and provide a valuable service for AuditNet users. A list of available books will be provided on request. For the guidelines click here.
New Benefits of Registration AuditNet continues to forge new relationships with professional associations and audit and accounting sites to provide auditors with access to audit work programs.
Group Access to AuditNet Audit Programs.
Join the other groups such as CCH TeamMate, Protiviti KnowledgeLeader and the Association of Healthcare Internal Auditors that have access to all of the AuditNet audit programs.
If you want your group or professional association (IIA, ISACA, ACFE, ACUA, ACUIA etc) to have transparent access to AuditNet audit programs and other content as a benefit of membership contact your professional association official or group leader and ask them to pursue this with AuditNet. Fraud News Feed Go to the AuditNet Fraud Resource Center and check out the fraud news feed to keep up to date with media reported fraud happenings.
Subscription Expired? In January 2009 AuditNet implemented a 30 day free trial for users. Previous registrations were given an amnesty until May 2009 at which time they were also given a 30 free trial. At the end of the free trial registered users have three options for access; 1. a basic level subscription for $12, 2. a premium level subscription for $125 and 3. contributing audit documents in lieu of payment for a subscription in what is known as ASAP. If your subscription has expired you will not be able to login and access until you choose one of the above options.
The registration login system is an internal control implemented by AuditNet to ensure that only registered and paid users have access to the AuditNet content.
The best way to find all the resources on the site is by going to the AuditNet Library or use the site search.
|
||||||
|
All of us live in networks - systems of relationships at work, in
communities, and with our families. We create networks because we're
social animals and because without them miscommunication will foil our
goals.
James H. Freis Jr., director of the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), said it's no mistake that "network" is in the agency's name. "First and foremost, FinCEN is a network," he said. "We bring together data and reports from across geographic lines, dozens of law enforcement agencies, and from many financial institutions. This enables FinCEN to see the big picture of possible crime."
|
For the rest of the article from the latest ACFE Fraud Magazine click here.
This article is from Fraud Magazine, the professional magazine
of the Association of Certified Fraud
Examiners
ACFE FraudInfo Newsletter click here!
Coming Attractions!
AuditNet continues working on building a benchmarking network of resources for the internal audit community. Watch for new links and resources as well as opportunities to benchmark your audit function against others as well as tap into benchmarking and best practices resources and sites. There is a great deal of interest in this type of tool so stay tuned for updates!
AuditNet is working with professional associations to provide access to the audit program inventory. Stay tuned!
The AuditNet Monograph Series provides useful guides for all levels of auditors from juniors right up to audit directors. We are currently working on new guides for Sarbanes-Oxley, internal controls and Internet for auditors and other relevant subjects. These guides will be available to registered subscribers. If you are interested in developing a monograph on a contract basis, contact us.
Watch for new articles on Sarbanes-Oxley, Information Security, Software Auditing, CAATTs, DATTA and more from contributors. Reviews are in the works for more audit and SOx books. Watch the newsletter for more products, services and tools for auditors. Have an idea for a column? Contact us.
AuditNet® continues adding new specialized resources for auditors. Watch the newsletter and keep checking the Library page for updates and new resources.

Watch for a review of Rich's latest book! Information
Security Management—Part 1 of 2
By Dan Swanson
As it is coming up on the 8th anniversary of 9/11 this month I was thinking it would be an excellent time to take information security to the next level.
A few simple questions:
The bottom line – Be prepared is the way to go!
Have another great month.
Dan Swanson
Click here for the resources!
AuditNet® Software Compliance Audit Corner
Are you wasting your money on software compliance applications?
For years PCProfile has licensed their software audit tools to customers and auditors to allow them to conduct a software inventory to enable them to become software compliant and have been successful in having large numbers of customer audits conducted using their audit tools since 1991. It's time now to offer some radical and new advice!
PCProfile will send a FREE 1 page Acceptable Use Policy and Discovery Snapshot which runs from USB to those who contact them direct.
Learn more about this program from PCProfile!
The AuditNet® Audit Bookstore Corner
Looking for books on auditing related topics? We suggest using the AuditNet® bookstore. The bookstore focuses on Internal Audit but includes other related subjects as well. AuditNet® uses Amazon to power the bookstore so each purchase you make through this link helps support AuditNet®.
AuditNet® Conference & Training News
Want to announce your professional association conference to the global audit community? Send us conference name, date and URL details. (A reciprocal link to AuditNet is required). AuditNet supports co-marketing sponsorship agreements for conferences on a case by case basis.
Speaker: Dr. Dan Kneer
When: October 7, 2009 New York, NY
November 19 Los Angeles, CA
In challenging economic times, companies need to focus on mitigating risk and strengthening controls. One of the most effective ways of achieving this is continuous monitoring. From design to construction, and all the potential road blocks in between, Dr. Dan will share his vast CCM expertise in an informative and entertaining presentation.
AuditNet users - Use discount code for $50 off during the check out process: auditnet
For more info click here!
Audit World 2009
September 15-17, 2009
Hilton Back Bay
Hotel
Boston,
MA
MIS Training Institute is proud to present the second annual Audit World, being held in Boston at the Hilton Back Bay Hotel on September 14-17, 2009. Building on the success of last year's inaugural event, the 2009 agenda delivers a case study-driven, information-rich program in four defined tracks: Financial Services, Non-Financial Services, Manufacturing and Best Practices. For more information, visit: www.misti.com/auditworld
Governance, Risk and Compliance 2009
Co-located with IT Audit & Controls 2009
October 13 &14, 2009
Hilton Disney World Resort
Orlando, FL
Annual Conference IT Audit & Controls 2009
Doing More with Less to Maximize the Value of IT Audit
Co-located with Governance, Risk & Compliance 2009
October 13-15, 2009
Hilton Disney World Resort - Orlando, FL
17th
Edition: SOX Compliance Evolution
Streamlining Your SOX Processes in a Cost Effective Manner
with Strategic Scoping, Automated Monitoring of Controls and
Strong External Auditor Relationships
November 5-6, 2009, The Wyndham, Chicago, IL
10% discount Available -
AuditNet users! – Promo Code: AU/BBC629
AuditWorld 2009*
* indicates events where you can meet Jim Kaplan
|
Navigating GRC and Audit
Tips for Meeting Your Auditing Reporting Objectives By: Christopher Fox One of the issues facing internal auditors is how to report issues to the audit committee, and to what extent. If internal audit reports every single blip on the radar screen, then the important and most critical issues could be lost. It is important for internal audit to report the most important issues -- issues that are not being remediated -- along with any trends they’re seeing in internal control. Software can facilitate this review to enable internal audit to prepare a ‘state of the union’ of their internal controls and identify the issues that the audit committee should focus on. This article will discuss how software can help to achieve these reporting objectives.
Read the rest of the story here! Fraud Detection: What’s Under the Rug? By Penny Borjas
Identifying fraud has always been an important goal for organizations across the globe. The current economic turmoil, however, is pushing fraud detection higher on everyone’s priority list. Unfortunately, few companies are taking advantage of technology solutions that can actively target key risk areas – instead of relying on sporadic hotline calls or anonymous tips.
For the rest of the story click here! Data Analytics Data analytics’ role in business assurance: Audit technology takes center stage (Part 1) by John Verver CA, CISA, CMC
The need for assurance and audit
The past eight years have seen unprecedented business turbulence, with corporate fraud and subsequent corporate collapses compounded recently by one of the worst periods of economic uncertainty in memory. It is hard to think of another time when there has been as great a need for assurance over the integrity of business activities, and for that matter, those of government as well.
The need for internal audit, a profession dedicated to providing assurance, is greater than ever, and auditors are increasingly recognized as playing a critical role within the organization. Expectations are also rising that internal audit should be providing not only assurance over the business, but also the value-added activities that the profession has declared as part of its mandate.
For the rest of the article click here!
Watch for Part 2 in the October Newsletter! Global Best Practices Roadmap: Find Your Way with a no-cost benchmarking survey How can you develop a roadmap that would take you from your current performance to the suggested, more optimal way to manage the finance and the record-to-report process? The Global Best Practices Roadmap: Find Your Way promotion will feature a different benchmarking tool on globalbestpractices.com each month. Learn more
Webcasts and Webinars for Auditors
Fraud in Tough Times: How to Audit for Costliest Schemes Threatening
Your Organization Now
Don’t wait for fraud to damage your organization. Even in today’s budget-conscious economy, you can implement audit procedures to detect fraud EARLY — to initiate the investigative process BEFORE losses pile up. Get the scoop on how to get this done. Sign up now and receive two valuable FREE bonuses!
Cost: $99 for this Webinar Discount Package Available for all 4 Webinars Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009 Time: 2:00 PM - 3:15 PM EDT
After registering and paying you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
Space is limited. Risk Management and the Financial Crisis – What Audit Has Learned and How Technology Can Help (Webinar Replay)
Fraud Detection and Prevention: Protecting Your Assets, Your Integrity and Your Future (Webinar Replay) AuditNet ExclusiveCICS Essentials Auditing CICS – A Beginner’s Guide
A thorough Audit Guide for CICS is
something that is long overdue. This document provides a
wealth of information about CICS, its operations, and
its various Various documents on AuditNet and other sources have taken a stab at parts or all of CICS, but are likely not up to date or sufficiently complete. CICS largely remains an environment that holds its mysteries against auditors and security officers alike. The results of poor understanding can lead to dangerous levels of unidentified risk to the applications and sensitive information of entities that use the power of CICS for critical business applications.
This guide is available to AuditNet Premium and Basic subscribers.
What's New at AuditNet®
September 1, 2009 (Oakton, Virginia) AuditNet adds value to the Basic Level 1 subscription by adding new content. Each month AuditNet will add new content to the entry level subscription for users. For $12 a year you can access over 1,300 audit programs and also take advantage of new content each month. Where else on the 'Net can you find this value for $1 a month?
The AuditNet® Auditors Sharing Audit Programs is a unique initiative created by AuditNet that offers you the option of sharing original audit content in lieu of payment to gain access to the AuditNet subscriber only sections. For the details of this unique and original program offered by no other audit related subscription service click here!
Prior News Items and Links AuditNet has set up a group on Facebook. Visit
AuditNet.org on Facebook
now and join
your colleagues for professional networking. AuditNet
has created a group for
auditors on the NING social networking site. You can
find the site at
http://auditnet.ning.com/. I invite auditors to join
by going to
http://auditnet.ning.com/main/invitation/new.
Join now and begin reaping the benefits of AuditTalk, and the AuditNet GANG an YANG discussion forums and networking for the global audit community! AuditNet Releases a New Monograph on Rating Systems for Audit Reports and Findings
May 1, 2009 (Oakton, Virginia) AuditNet released The AuditNet® Guide to Audit Report and Findings Rating Systems. This monograph represents a compilation of what other organizations have established in order to standardize and categorize either their audit reports and/or the findings identified during the course of the audit. New monographs are in process on Key Performance Indicators for Internal Audit, Creating an Internal Audit Charter, Business and Transaction Cycles and Digital Audit Knowledge Resource Guide. If you would like to submit a proposal for a topic please send it to auditnet @ gmail.com
AuditNet® Fraud Auditing CornerFraud Webinar Series Watch for Details
Auditing for and Preventing Fraud in Accounts
Payable December 2, 2009
Fraud News Need to keep up with fraud news and happenings? There are several options available. One is to subscribe to the free ACFE FraudInfo E-newsletter. Another free resource is the Auditing & Fraud News. Service for
research professionals. Constantly updated news and information about
Business & Companies. Go to FraudNet and
click on the link Click Here for Fraud News. |
SOX Television is an Internet Television Network that covers every aspect of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the related areas of governance, risk and compliance. Along with its sister network, Risk Television, it reaches more than 300,000 financial, governance, risk and compliance professionals worldwide.
Audit Work Programs Corner
30 Day Trial to the Premium Section
Access to the free audit program section now requires registration. The following documents were added this month. They are available on a 1 for 1 exchange for an original audit work program not currently in the inventory. If you unable to share audit programs then consider subscribing to the premium content which provides you with access free and premium content 24/7/365. Interested in a subscription in lieu of cash? (Offer only available for new programs submitted).
CCH
TeamMate users now have access to all the AuditNet audit programs in
TeamStores format. Access through the TeamStores support site.
E-Book for
Subscribers to the Annual Audit Programs

Coming Soon
Ask the Auditor

Each month I select one question submitted to Ask the Auditor and provide an answer using the same digital tools and techniques that I recommend to all auditors.
Audit Rating Systems
Q;
Do you have any information regarding the best practices for
signature authority for companies with international locations?
A: When
committing company resources, it’s required that all company
personnel adhere to a published signature authorization policy.
Often, company finance staff, headed by the CFO or controller,
assume, either knowingly or unknowingly, the ownership of the
evidence and the responsibility to comply with the company policy’s
internal control.
A signature authorization policy is part of the corporate governance and internal controls of companies. For publicly traded companies, the essence of SOX Sec. 404 is to evaluate and report on the effectiveness of internal controls over corporate financials. SOX establishes an internal control standard that is broader than generally accepted accounting principles.
A signature authorization policy ensures that
•Company transactions are properly authorized;
•Company assets are safeguarded against authorized or improper use;
and
•Company transactions are properly recorded and reported to permit
the preparation of the registrant’s financial statements in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.”
Many organization use a signature authorization
matrix. AuditNet has created a sample signature authority matrix
that can be adapted to any organization. The matrix can be accessed
by subscribers.
For more tips go to Ask the Auditor Forum for How Do I...
Submit a question for Ask the Auditor!
Looking to Earn Some Extra $$?
AuditNet is interested in developing a series of SOx or industry related audit programs for organizations. If anyone is interested in writing audit programs, ICQs, questionnaires, or control matrices on a work for hire basis please contact me. If you may know of anyone who would be interested in this as well please pass along my contact information.
AuditNet® Software Compliance Audit Corner
4 Steps to Changing "Compliance Attitudes" in the current economic climate
News for auditors, SAM and ITAM professionals facing cutbacks in costs and resources.
If you are wondering how you are going to manage compliance having
your budget and resources cut in the current economic climate take a
look at the 4 key steps that can change attitudes to compliance!
Step 1 - Define an Acceptable Use Policy
Step 2 - Deploy the Acceptable Use Policy
Step 3 - Audit to the Acceptable Use Policy
Step 4 - Enforce the Acceptable Use Policy
Sometimes going back to basics is the best way to force the changes in attitude at the desktop you need to keep you compliant!
Click
here for the files that show you how. (Note: This is a low cost
solution for your compliance program). Mention you heard it through
AuditNet for a 20% discount if you use the following code when
placing an order.
QUOTE: AUDITNet_MJA1991
Then check out the CCSA Study System published by Pleier Corporation.
Using the "McKeever CCSA Study System" will improve
users' probability of successfully passing the IIA CCSA exam
by teaching users to answer the type of questions typically
presented on the CCSA exam. Additionally, this system helps
users identify CCSA domains that require their additional
study and lists references useful for any additional study.
The "McKeever CCSA Study System" is available in 2
versions - a 288-page spiral-bound workbook and CD-ROM (for
those who prefer clicking a mouse to turning pages) - for
details click
here!
DISCOUNTS TO AUDITNET READERS
As a reminder, Pleier Corporation offers 10 % discounts to
AuditNet readers at
www.pleier.com. To take this discount order online and
enter the word AUDITNET in the coupon field at checkout.
Click here for opportunities to share your knowledge and earn royalties
Exceeding Expectations for Internal Auditors
AuditNet® Book Reviews
AuditNet Career Center
Job Listings
Find a Job or Find the Right Auditor
Go to the AuditNet® Career Center now for the latest job opportunities and career-related information and tools. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week you have the ability to not only look at available jobs, but you can also post your resume, apply for open jobs, research companies and obtain career advice. If you are in the market for a new job, make AuditNet® your first stop to check out what's available.
If your company has any audit job vacancies that you are looking to fill, have your HR people contact AuditNet® to post the job and search for candidates.
This is just another benefit of using AuditNet® as your one stop shop for all your audit and career resources.
The developers of TopCAATs, the flagship product of Reinvent Data are writing audit programs that include tests using their software. They have graciously offered to share these audit programs with AuditNet®. These will be added to the subscriber area as they become available.
According to Charlie Walker, the founder of Reinvent Data;
The idea behind these is to look for ways that TopCAATs can be integrated into the audit, and to provide our users with practical ideas of how they can use the TopCAATs tools. One of the challenges that we have noticed with the adoption of CAATs is the application of the tools – many users find it difficult to adapt existing methods to using CAATs because they don’t know which tools to use in which situation. So, we are looking for existing traditional tests that can be adapted/improved by the use of CAATs (and specifically which TopCAATs tools to use).
If you have not already tried out TopCAATs, you can download a 30 day free trial of TopCAATs. You can also get a 20% discount on the cost of TopCAATs licenses by using the voucher code AUDITNET09”
Code of Ethics for Contractors
[Honesty in Carrying out Responsibilities]
By Gursharan Singh
The construction industry in every country is a multi-million dollar industry that contributes substantially to the national GDP and provides business and employment opportunities to millions. This is common in almost all industrialized countries. The position of the construction industry in Malaysia is not any different where a substantial portion of the adult population is directly/indirectly affected by it. The success of the construction industry, like other industries, is largely dependent on the players being ethical. The players constitute clients, contractors [including sub-contractors], technical/financial professionals and regulatory authorities. One of the major components of ethics is honesty in dealings.
For the rest of the story click here!

Coming Soon!
RuleSphere in cooperation with AuditNet LLC is
developing Requirements Central
for GRC, the first
subscription-based Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution that addresses
sustainable compliance using the practice of “requirements management”.
Requirements Central will provide two primary mission-critical
program and project management capabilities for audit, financial,
information technology, and other professionals. If you are concerned
with managing Governance Risk Compliance (GRC) programs and projects
more successfully then this service will be of significant
interest.
Stay tuned for updates!
AuditNet® Vendor News
Check here for the latest news from our AuditNet® sponsors!