The Auditor's Guide to Internet Resources, 2nd Edition is the only book on the Internet written expressly for internal auditors. Expanded and updated to include the latest Internet trends and resources, the book provides all the Internet competency skills auditors need to become digitally literate. Order your copy now!  Call 877-867-4947 (Toll free in U.S. and Canada) or FAX 770-442-9742 or email iiapubs@pbd.com  Use Order Number KPR320 and receive the IIA member price. It pays to use AuditNet! 

Available on CD-ROM!

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AuditNet remains free to the global audit
community because it is sponsor-supported. Support our sponsors and you support AuditNet and ensure it's continued existence.

If you are marketing to the audit community, there are many opportunities for corporations and vendors to sponsor the AuditNet site. Contact editor@auditnet.org for advertising, sponsorship or partner information.

Audit Compliance With Software License Agreements

AuditNet welcomes an article or audit tool each month from Andersen's KnowledgeSpace. KnowledgeSpace is a subscription-based web site that provides, tools, resources and best practices to help internal auditors save time, manage risk, and add value. For more information go to www.knowledgespace.com 

This month's contribution is an article on auditing compliance with software license agreements. Compliance with software licensing agreements may not be one of those topics that companies are overly concerned about. But in the current economic environment, perhaps they should be. Software vendors, squeezed for new revenues, have stepped up their audits to ensure that companies are not using unlicensed software.

Click on the or symbol for the complete article generously shared by Andersen's KnowledgeSpace® Internal Audit and Risk Management Community.  

ARTICLES ON FREE AUDIT SOFTWARE? and WEB Based Audits

If you are using software illegally (or know someone else who is) then there is now no excuse for hiding behind all the weak excuses that many tend to use.

There is now a FREE software tool that will help you (or your friends) cleanup your act BEFORE you get caught out!

Don't say you weren't warned! The FREE Software Audit tool is located at http://www.pcprofile.com

These two new articles walk you through information about FREE Software Audit Tools and the Risks of Web Based Audits

FREE AUDIT SOFTWARE and Web Based Audits 

For links to articles and vendors for Software Compliance Auditing go to the AuditNet Library and click on Software Compliance Auditing.

Software Compliance Auditing Update

The following information and links to articles was recently shared by PC Profile. Check them out!

Your current PC based system isn't a patch on what it used to be .........!

Your software audit results MAY BE CORRUPTED!

This information may affect all those who are RELYING on the information provided to audit their systems as a means of proving they are software compliant. Some may have already started seeing unusual audit results not expected at desktop level or may have jumped already to wrong conclusions!

What needs to be understood is that Microsoft has now made it exceedingly difficult to tell you what is installed on your systems due to the application of further patches and fixes derived via Update Now or downloads
from their web site.

Details located at; http://www.pcprofile.com/patches.htm

AutoAudit takes the "paper" out of paperwork for HUD Inspector General.

The Office of Inspector General at the Department of Housing and Urban Development implemented AutoAudit software to assist its 300 auditors in transforming the OIG office into a paperless environment. The HUD audit staff conducts 160 audits each year creating an average of 3,600 pages of information per audit. Adding to the challenge is the fact that the HUD audit staff is distributed across the country, working out of more than 15 local and district offices as well as the headquarters in Washington, DC. 

To read how OIG HUD uses AutoAudit click here.

The Audit Process Step-by-Step

AuditNet includes a section for new (and seasoned) auditors detailing the audit process using a step-by-step approach. The section is under construction and includes templates, sample documents, flowcharts and links to other resources. I remember (vaguely) what it was like when I started out in the audit profession. I would have readily embraced an online resource that guided me into new and unfamiliar territories. Unfortunately the Internet was not an option then so I had to turn to peers, books, and a lot of internal and external training.  The success of these pages will rely on the philosophy of Auditors Sharing Knowledge (ASK) for Progress and grow as more seasoned auditors contribute and find value in educating others in their own best and continuing practices!

Go the Virtual Library page for the beginnings of this  new resource. 

New Opportunities for  Vendor and Consultant Listings in AuditNet

Vendors of audit related goods and services now have an opportunity for inclusion in the list of audit resource links. This new fee-based service provides an opportunity for consultants and vendors to purchase a listing for the most widely distributed list of audit resources on the Internet. Paid listings will include a $ designation to distinguish them from sites that include free resources for auditors. For more information send an email to editor@auditnet.org. 

 

White-Collar Crime Fighter www.wccfighter.com the only source of exclusive, authoritative "how-to" information for financial crime fighters offers AuditNet users a discounted subscription rate of $77-- a savings of $20 off the regular rate.

Highlights from the May 2002 issue include How Not to Be Another Enron, New Techniques for Protecting Your Networks, Terrorist Banking Activities and more.

This is a great publication and well worth the annual subscription rate. I find at least one practical article from each issue that helps me focus on fraud issues within my organization! 

 
New Programs and Workpapers 
Added to AuditNet

Auditors Sharing Audit Programs and Workpapers

The following audit programs, ICQs, checklist or workpapers were added this month. They are in format unless otherwise specified. Go to the AuditNet home page or the  Audit Programs page for other formats 

1. AIX Control and Risks
2. Audit Finding Write Up Worksheet
3. Call Center Audit Program
4. Client Derivatives Audit Program
5. E-Business Audit Check List
6. Health Benefits Administration
7. Hotel Surprise Cash Count
8. Project Development Audit 
9. Sales Incentive Bonus Plan Audit Program
10. Sub-recipient Monitoring Checklist
11. Subcontracting Job Processing Activity
12. Web Site Management

New Audit Program Requests

If you have a program that would address these areas or would just like to contribute to Auditors Sharing Knowledge for Progress, send it along to editor@auditnet.org. To see more audit programs that auditors are looking for, go to Audit Programs and scroll to the bottom of the page.

Application Maintenance Audit Program
IT Project Quality Monitoring
IRS Year End Audit Program
Medicaid Managed Care
Oracle Environment Audit Program
Order Fulfillment Process audit program

Audit Programs in the Queue!

The following audit documents will be posted next month. Interested in them now? Send an audit work program, ICQ, checklist or other audit template and receive them via e-mail. Your contribution must include your name and email address. 

1. AS400 Template
2. Credit Card Security Audit Program
3. Freight Payables Outsourcing Process Control Checklist
4. Middle Tier Audit Program
5. Payroll Audit Program
6. Pharmacy Regulation ICQ
7. Sales Contract Review
8. SAP Accounts Payable Audit Program
9. Study Abroad Audit Program
10. Z Operating System Audit

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Productivity Tip

Resources for Developing Audit Programs

The audit plans for many internal audit shops include projects or areas that have never been done before. So, what is the best way for developing an audit program for a new or unfamiliar area? Auditors turn to the Internet to locate resources and tools for developing audit programs. The Auditors Sharing Audit Programs section of AuditNet has hundreds of audit programs shared by users. These audit programs can provide a baseline from which you can develop an audit program for a specific area. There are also other Web sites containing audit programs. Those sites are listed at the end of the Audit Programs page on AuditNet and include; the Defense Contract Audit Agency, and the City of Tampa's Internal Audit Department. Another resource for auditors to consider is KnowledgeSpace, a fee based subscription service. They have an entire section devoted to audit work programs shared by subscribers. AuditNet users can sign up for a free 30-day evaluation. The discounted subscription cost for IIA, ISACA and AICPA members is $500 per year. Online checklists from vendors and others are another excellent resource for developing audit programs. Ink-e Media at has checklists for routers, contracts, e-commerce, application service providers and more.

Developing audit programs need not be an onerous task. Tap into the available online resources for help and guidance for new, unfamiliar, or revisited audit projects.

Check out the AuditNet search page at www.auditnet.org/search.htm

For more productivity tips order a copy of The Auditor's Guide to Internet Resources 2nd Edition from the IIA

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Looking for a few good men (or women) Audit Candidates?

Consider using the AuditNet Audit Jobs area. The page provides exposure to over 17,000 audit professionals every month from all over the world. The Jobs page receives between 3000-4000 hits per month. The cost is low. Tell your HR department about using this option when you are looking for audit candidates. Go to the AuditNet home page at www.auditnet.org and click on Audit Jobs. Click on Post Jobs for posting information.

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Letters to the Editor

I can't tell you how useful your web-site is to me and I very much appreciate all the contributions made by my learned colleagues. Their experience and knowledge helps me enormously and from their programmes I often generate new or modified ideas suited for my particular purpose.

I apologise for not contributing anything, but I have been a relatively junior auditor for six years with very little formal "audit training" and I rely heavily on the knowledge and experience of other people to learn about what it is I should be looking for.

Please publish a big "Thank You" to everyone who contributes to your site.

Kind regards.

Gareth Thomas

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We'll Get By With a Little Help From Our Friends!

Tell a friend about the AuditNet Web site and how to subscribe to the monthly newsletter update or have them send an e-mail to editor@auditnet.org and I will add them to the list. 

More Software Compliance Auditing News for AuditNet Users
No Budget for Audit Software
(AuditNet Article exclusive from PCProfile)

An AuditNet exclusive from PCProfile discusses the issue of overcoming management resistance to investing in software audit tools. The article provides very convincing arguments on why management should be taking this risk seriously!

Click here for the complete AuditNet exclusive! 

Declaring War on Software Pirates 

Save $$ on the 
Software Compliance Auditors Toolkit

Be prepared when the software police come knocking on your door!

AuditNet Users Save $200 - Save $$ and get legal! Check it out!

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Looking for an audit job? Go to AuditNet's Audit Jobs section for the latest job opportunities. 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.

This is just another benefit of using AuditNet as your one stop shop for all your audit and career resources.

Book Review 

The Financial Numbers Game: Detecting Creative Accounting Practices

By Charles W. Mulford and Eugene E. Comiskey

Timing is everything and so it is the case with this new book from John Wiley. With the recent events surrounding Enron here is a book that seeks to explain to investors, analysts and financial statement users creative accounting practices. For the full review go to www.auditnet.org/auditnet-l.htm and look for the link under the book review section.

For the full book review click here!

CONFERENCES SEMINARS AND TRAINING FOR AUDITORS

Auditors Conference 2002
"Enhancing Audit Performance and Productivity"

The IIA Western South Region Conference will take place on August 8-9, 2002 in San Francisco. The program will cover audit and risk management, audit tools and automating the audit department. For details go to Auditors Conference 2002.

VLGAA Spring Seminar

The Virginia Local Government Auditors Association Spring Seminar will take place on May 31, 2002 at the Fairfax County Government Center. The program will cover Internal Controls in an Electronic Environment and Best Practices in Internal Auditing. For Details go to VLGAA 2002 Seminar.

NETWORK WITH OVER 1,150 AUDITORS

Do you have a question about auditing or audit programs? .... Or perhaps you have the answer to someone else's question.... Then consider subscribing to the AuditNet's Audit-L. or Auditprograms-L Imailsrv Discussion List (or both). Go to the Discussion List page for more information about these resources.

For automated workpaper solutions for your audit office check out the following AuditNet sponsors:

CAREER TIPS FOR AUDITORS

Tips on Salvaging a Shaky Interview

by Robbie Miller Kaplan

Job hunters who feel they made mistakes in interviews often fail to use one of the most effective tools at their disposal: a follow-up phone call. You may think that trying to bolster a shaky performance will only make matters worse, but you may be surprised at the results you get. For the rest of the story in the CareerJournal from the Wall Street Journal click here!

Each month the AuditNet Resource Newsletter includes a career-related tip from Robbie Miller Kaplan, author of How to Say It in Your Job Search. If you like these tips, check out her books! For more career tips go the Job-Resources Web site at www.job-resources.com.

Book Review 

Digital Analysis Using Benford's Law 

by Mark J. Nigrini

Benford's Law, first identified by Simon Newcomb in 1881, states that if you randomly select a number from a table of physical constants or statistical data, the probability that the first digit will be a "1" is about 30%, rather than 10% as we might expect if all digits were equally likely.

According to Mark Nigrini, the author of Digital Analysis Using Benford's Law, the audit technology known as Digital Analysis (DA), tests for abnormalities in the digit patterns and abnormal number duplication in corporate data. Mr. Nigrini does a formidable job of explaining how to use digital analysis in performing audit tests of data.

For the full book review click here!

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