e-Tools for Auditors

 

December 2009

 

Internal Control

 

 

 

Prior AuditNet Newsletters

The AuditNet Newsletter is sponsored by:

 

CCH TeamMate and Paisley

 

Join The Professional Audit Information Networking Group

 

 

CCH TeamMate is a database-driven audit management system that streamlines the audit process by providing integrated tools for documentation, report generation and file sharing.

 

Complimentary Aberdeen Group Report: Beyond Demonstrating Compliance: The Reinvention of Internal Audit. This study examined how best-in-class internal audit groups are increasing their relevance by adding value to non-financial processes and risks, aligning internal audit with the business priorities and effectively communicating the business value of internal audit to key stakeholders.

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 Accounting Procedures for Internal Control

 

 

 

 

 

Ghost and Zombie Assets – It’s Midnight. Do You Know Where Your Assets Are?

 

Internal controls over fixed assets are sadly lacking in many companies. Often gross fixed assets can be one third of total company assets. If fixed asset balances are material to a company, and hence should be subject to good internal controls, why are internal controls often lacking in strength?

 

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
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AuditNet® Community

Sponsor News!

Thanks to Paisley and TeamMate for sponsoring the newsletter!

 

Industry Leadership Opportunity
Providing Industry Guidance and Requirements Oversight

 

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 careers and  you will find articles and links to resources focused on that subject. Next month's theme is internal control. 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

Don’t sell yourself short

by Robbie Miller Kaplan

 

 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

 

Since your résumé will get a quick scan, you might wonder, “Must I limit my résumé to one page?” When it comes to page length, the question really is, “Do you have credentials and accomplishments that can fit on one page?” And if not, you’ll need a two-page résumé.

 

For the rest of the story click here!

 

What Not to Do in Times of Loss

A young woman who was eight months pregnant gave birth to a stillborn baby. Overcome with grief, she called her supervisor and requested he notify her colleagues by e-mail so she wouldn’t have to individually tell her devastating news. It seemed a simple request, but when she returned to work, she learned her supervisor did not notify her colleagues and they were each stunned when she painfully shared the news. Not knowing what to say or do, they avoided her and she felt shunned and alone in her grief. After a few months, she quit her job and left the organization.

 

For tips on what not to do click here!

 

Follow 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!

 

Follow AuditNet on

Twitter.com

 

Fraud Training Vendor Sponsorship/Advertising Opportunities

 

AuditNet® and FraudAware have teamed up to offer Fraud Audit Skills Training (F.A.S.T.) to auditors and financial professionals. The training format is via a four-part series of paid Webinars. Due to the unexpected success of our inaugural Webinars we are now offering vendors the opportunity to sponsor these events to reach our members and subscribers. Our marketing efforts reach over 100,000 auditors and financial professionals for each event. Stay tuned for details.

 

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.

 

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

 

Audit Software Survey Closed

 

What software applications are you using in your audit function? AuditNet launched an audit software survey to determine what software solutions auditors are using. We have closed the survey and are compiling the detailed results and conclusion which will be available in January. We do have a link to the survey responses so you can see some preliminary information.

 

We will be launching a new survey shortly on The Changing Role of the Internal Auditor in Detecting and Preventing Fraud which will be the subject of our next Webinar on January 20, 2010.

 

Previous Surveys

 

Sarbanes-Oxley and Internal Audit

Audit Management Software

AuditNet User Survey

Fraud Awareness Training

 


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.



 

RELENTLESS TARP WATCHDOG
An Interview with Neil Barofsky, special inspector general for the Troubled Asset Relief Program

By Dick Carozza

 

Neil Barofsky walked into an enormous, historic job when he became the special IG for TARP last year. But he knows that his relentless push for transparency and dogged pursuit of fraudsters will protect his bosses - the American taxpayers.

 

When Neil Barofsky was sworn into office on Dec. 8, 2008 as the new special inspector general of the Troubled Asset Relief Program he knew he would have to be an IG like no other. One hyperbolic editorial writer said Barofsky's position would be a "Sisyphean task." You might remember King Sisyphus of Greek mythology who had to repeatedly roll a huge boulder up a hill only to watch it roll back down through eternity.

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 and is a regular feature of AuditNet under a new cooperative relationships and partnership with professional associations in the interest of sharing resources for the benefit of the global AuditNet® community. .

 

ACFE FraudInfo Newsletter click here!


Coming Attractions!

 

We are currently working on our advertising plans for 2010 as well as new surveys and offerings. A site redesign is in the planning stage. We are looking at migrating to the Microsoft.net platform which will facilitate maintenance and site look and feel while increasing security. We are also adding new programs to both the basic and premium content. The partnership with ACL will reap data analytic enabled audit programs. We will also be incorporating new content from other software vendors that will help users with data analytics and fraud.

 

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, Key Performance Indicators for Internal Audit,  Business and Transaction Cycles and Digital Audit Knowledge Resource Guide. 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, digital analytics tools and techniques and more from contributors. Reviews are in the works for more audit 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.


Recovery Auditing: Reducing Profit Leaks

Watch for a review of Rich's latest book!


Auditing System Conversions

By Dan Swanson

 

Internal auditors play a valuable role in ensuring that IT investments are well-managed and have a positive impact on an organization. Their assurance role supports senior management, the audit committee, the board of directors, and other stakeholders. Internal auditors need to take a risk-based approach in planning their many activities on IT project audits. With limited audit resources, auditors must focus on the highest-risk project areas, while adding value to the organization. Audit best practices suggest internal auditors should be involved throughout a project's life cycle — not just in post-implementation assessments.

 

Have another great month.

 

Dan Swanson

 

For the article click here!


AuditNet® Software Compliance Audit Corner

PCProfile

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®.


 

CODE OF ETHICS FOR CONTRACTORS

 

By Gursharan Singh

 

The word ‘ETHICS’ originated from the Greek word ‘ETHOS’ meaning ‘CUSTOM or CHARACTER’ [Prof. Robert C. Solomon] and ‘ETHICS’ simply means to ‘DO WHAT IS RIGHT’. Also ‘ETHICS’ refers to study of moral conduct of code of conduct. It concerns individual character including what it means to be a ‘good person and social values on behavior concerning ‘good and evil morality’ which: refers to human conduct values. ‘ETHICS’ and ‘VALUES’ are generally interchangeable in many discussions. It is possible for actions to be in compliance with the laws and regulations but not necessarily ethical as it is more concerned with individual feelings. In this article the word ‘ETHICS’ includes reference to being in compliance with the prescribed Laws and Regulations applicable to the contractors.

 

For the rest of the story click here!


 

Global Audit Advisory for BioPharm

Industry Leadership Opportunity

 

Providing Industry Guidance and Requirements Oversight

Industry Nominations and Commitments of Support
 

AuditNet.org and RuleSphere invite public comments and commitments of support regarding our Global Audit Advisory industry initiative described herein for the BioTech / Pharmaceutical industry cluster. This document describes the two industry boards that manage and oversee the industry requirements for BioPharm across the broad market segment known as Governance Risk Compliance (GRC) as well as for BioPharm distribution and supply chain functions. RuleSphere is a service bureau that builds and maintains Audit Work Programs (AWPs)
for BioPharm and we are the first firm to offer the AWPs as discrete formalized sets of industry requirements.

 

For more information click here!


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.

 

   

Audit Analytics and Continuous Monitoring

 

Palomar Pomerado goes on RAC Attack with continuous monitoring

 

By Tom Boyle, CIA, CISA, CFE, CCP, MBA

When Congress launched the Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor Program (RAC) in 2005, it sent health care providers scrambling to plug vulnerabilities in their billing and data systems. Designed to identify improper payments to Medicare beneficiaries, the program uses private firms and contractors to examine physician, hospital, nursing home and other service claims to pinpoint government overpayments to these providers.

 

For the rest of the story click here!

 

New AuditNet® Partnership Gives ACL Customers Access to AuditNet® Premium Content

 

Network Tools & Resources Help Audit Teams Deliver Greater Business Assurance

 

Vienna, Virginia - December 1, 2009 - AuditNet® LLC, an online audit resource and communications network today announced that it has entered into a partnership with ACL Services Ltd., the leading global provider of business assurance technology for audit and compliance professionals, As part of the AuditNet ongoing commitment to providing exceptional value, this agreement will provide ACL premium support customers access to AuditNet® premium content. ACL is developing a set of data analytic enabled audit programs that will be made available to AuditNet subscribers. Working with leaders like ACL AuditNet® enables greater business insight by extending the integration of analytics into audit processes.

 

Read the complete press release!


Navigating GRC and Audit

 

Looking for a Columnist for GRC

 

If you have an interest in governance, risk and compliance and would like to share your experience with the AuditNet community let us know. We are looking for a features columnist for this section.


Building Professional Relationships for Auditors Using Online Social Networks

 

By Jim Kaplan CIA CFE

 

Networking is a proven method for building business relationships. Today, it has taken on a new face through the use of online technology. Probably not a day goes by when you do not hear or read about Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn or Twitter. As a professional auditor, you can benefit by using one or more of these Web sites known as “social networks.” This article will provide an overview of the role of online social networks in today’s business world, a review of the leading professional-oriented social networks and why social networking is particularly useful for those in the audit profession.

 

For the rest of the story click here!


Global Best Practices®

 

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

 

The Changing Role of the Internal Auditor in Detecting and Preventing Fraud

While the debate continues unabated, over how much responsibility auditors should have for catching fraud, it pays for internal auditors to leave the debate to the debaters and get down to brass tacks NOW by adjusting their audit plans and practices to focus on detecting and reporting fraud and suspicious activity BEFORE the bad guys get away with the organization’s hard-earned assets. Get latest best practices from this important

 

Webinar. January 20, 2010, 2:00PM-3:15PM

 

FREE WITH YOUR PAID REGISTRATION!

A 3-month AuditNet Subscription for each paid Webinar (value - $37.50)

 

The new book: “Detecting and Preventing Fraud in Accounts Payable” by Peter Goldmann ($45 value)

 

Don't miss this event. Pay here!

 

Auditing for and Preventing Fraud in Accounts Payable

 

This webinar was conducted on Wednesday, December 2, 2009

 

Fraud in Tough Times: How to Audit for Costliest Schemes Threatening Your Organization Now

 

Missed the above events? You can purchase the recorded events.


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 Exclusive

CICS 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
resources and capabilities along with audit guidelines and recommendations.
 

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.

 

Read the review

 

This guide is available to AuditNet Premium and Basic subscribers.


 

What's New at AuditNet®

 

December 1, 2009 (Oakton, Virginia) AuditNet announces a  partnership with ACL.

AuditNet begins offering data analytic enabled audit programs to subscribers. Beginning January 1, 2010 ACL premium customers will have access to AuditNet premium content. 

 

November 1, 2009 (Oakton, Virginia)

AuditNet adds new sub groups to the LinkedIn Professional Audit Information Network.

New subgroups were added for Mainframe Auditors and Oracle Auditors. To join these subgroups click here and join!

 

AuditNet Announces a Webinar Sponsorship Program

 

 

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.
AuditNet also is now available on Twitter @auditnet. These resources complement AudiTalk, the AuditNet Discussion Forums and GANG and YANG . Together with the Professional Audit Information Network on LinkedIn these tools provide more opportunities for the global audit community to network and share knowledge and resources than ever before.

 

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 Finalizing the AuditNet Guide to Internal Audit Charters

 

 AuditNet is finalizing the The AuditNet® Guide to Internal Audit Charters. This monograph represents the professional guidance on audit charters as well as format examples from various organizations.   New monographs are in process on Key Performance Indicators for Internal Audit,  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 Corner

Fraud Webinar Series

 

Webinar: The Changing Role of the Internal Auditor in Detecting and Preventing Fraud 

Early Bird Price (till Jan 1, 2010) $75

Free Bonuses
January 20, 2010

Technology versus Fraud: Getting Maximum Bank for Your Audit Software Buck.
March 17, 2010

 

Auditing for Financial Statement Fraud May 19, 2010

 

Fraud Prevention, Detection and Investigation for the Non-Auditor July 17, 2010

 

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.


Sarbanes-Oxley News and Views
Breaking News! Small Firms Get More Sarbanes-Oxley Time

The SEC will give small firms (less than  $75 million in shares) until June 2010 to comply with S-Ox. Small companies were slated to start complying by December 2009.


What are Some of the Best Practices in Managing the Audit Function?

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

Register Now!

30 Day Trial to the Premium Section

Access to the free audit program section now requires registrationThe 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  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

 

AuditNet has begun offering Analytic Enabled Audit Programs (AEP) which include steps for using data analysis software such as ACL. If you have a program that uses data analytics and would like to share we will add it to this new category.

  1. AEP-Accounts Payable -(Dec 2009)
  2. AEP-Purchasing & Payments Cycle (Dec 2009)
  3. AEP-Trade Payables (Dec 09)
  4. AEP-Trade Receivables (Dec 2009)
  5. ERM Reporting (Dec 2009)
  6. HR Personnel Review (Dec 2009)
  7. Inventory Management (Dec 2009)
  8. IRC 409A Executive Deferred Compensation (Dec 2009)
  9. Maintenance Audit-Equipment (Dec 2009)
  10. Mortgage Fraud Red Flags (Dec 2009)
  11. Purchasing Card Audit (Dec 2009)

Coming Soon

  1. Assets and Other Liabilities
  2. Bidding
  3. Cash and Marketable Securities
  4. Check Kiting
  5. Collections (Banking)
  6. Construction Administration
  7. Construction Capital Investment
  8. Construction - Investment Review
  9. Construction Management Systems
  10. Contracts
  11. Fair Lending Risk Assessment (Banking)
  12. Financial Reporting
  13. Fixed Assets
  14. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  15. Gaming Operations
  16. General Audit Procedures
  17. Human Resources & Payroll
  18. Inventories
  19. Investigation Plan Documentation Form-Government
  20. IT Application Audit -Banking
  21. Mortgage Loan Master File Data Audit
  22. Purchasing and Accounts Payable
  23. Revenue and Receivables
  24. Repossessed Assets (Banking)
  25. Shell Company Schemes
  26. Service Contracts

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. 

 

Signature Authority Best Practices

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!


Release the Writer in You!

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


Need Help in Passing the CCSA Exam?

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

Check out Training on CD

A Practitioner's Guide to Corruption Auditing

Exceeding Expectations for Internal Auditors


AuditNet® Book Reviews

  


 

Audit Programs with TopCAATs Tests

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”


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!


 


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. 

 

Contemporary Internal Audit Conference Dec 8-10 Doha, Qatar

 

Best Practices in Internal Audit Conference
1 - 2 February 2010, The Excelsior, Hong Kong
4 - 5 February 2010, Sheraton Towers, Singapore

 

3rd Annual Optimizing Critical SOX and MAR Strategies in the Re/Insurance Industry  April 12/13, 2010, Boston, Ma

 

Internal Audit Innovation Forum April 19th-20th, 2010, Amsterdam

 

5th Annual Internal Audit & Risk Management

26-27 Apr 2010 Singapore

 

* indicates events where you can meet Jim Kaplan