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AuditNet® Adds New Resources AuditNet® continues to be the place for auditors to share information and find free tools and resources to help you and your organization. AuditNet®, at the suggestion of a user, created a section for auditing in the insurance sector. A new monograph on Principles of Computer Assisted Audit Techniques is now available thanks to Ian Pettigrew of the UK National Audit Office. Auditors Sharing Knowledge for Progress! It truly works! Jim Kaplan for AuditNet® Passwords - The rules and the reasons Passwords are the most common way to control access to a computer system or other account. However, passwords are also a prime source of irritation to all who have anything to do with them. This white paper explains why we use passwords for authentication, why and how to make strong passwords, and other rules that improve security - such as password expiration and restrictions on re-use. This month's article on passwords was contributed by Protiviti KnowledgeLeader, an online service providing tools, templates, and other resources for internal audit and risk management. Free trials available at http://www.knowledgeleader.com/. Click here for Passwords - The rules and the reasons. AuditNet Job Listings (& more) Looking for an audit job? Go to the AuditNet® 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.
CAREER BOOT CAMP FOR AUDITORS Beating Job Stress by Robbie Miller Kaplan Individuals who are unhappy in their jobs have found making a job
change difficult in this shaky economy and tight job market. If you are
unhappy with your boss, co-workers, commute, work environment, or job
responsibilities and you just can’t make a job change, you are setting
yourself up for stress and potential health problems. Here are some
suggestions to alleviate job stress while waiting to make a
move: 2. Use voice and vocals to relax and brighten your day; listen to books on tape during your commute, favorite CD’s during the day, or tune into a classical or jazz music station. 3. Make dates for lunch with people whose companionship you enjoy. 4. Eat a balanced diet so you feel well physically. 5. Make an effort to be pleasant at work and learn to ignore or make light of any unpleasant personalities. 6. Check and see if your organization allows employees to volunteer during the workday; if so, locate a cause that would give you pleasure and volunteer. 7. If you are unchallenged, offer to assume a different responsibility to energize your day and demonstrate that you are a team player. 8. Find hobbies or interests that satisfy you during your personal time so you’ll look forward to your evenings and week-ends. 9. Keep your resume updated and your network ready for any job opportunity that comes your way. Each month the AuditNet® 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. AuditNet® Resource List UpdatesPlease let us know of links that are not working! AuditNet® StatisticsFor those who like to wade through the details on how popular AuditNet® is, click here for the current stats or go to the online WebTrends report. Selecting an Outsourced Internal Audit Provider This article, submitted by an AuditNet® user, highlights some of the issues to consider when selecting an external entity to provide internal audit services. I especially like the selecting a chocolate egg comparison. To read the complete If you have an article on any internal audit subject that you would like to share send it to editor@auditnet.org Preview of Coming Attractions! The AuditNet Monograph Series will provide useful guides for all levels of auditors from juniors right up to audit directors. INTOSAI, the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions has allowed AuditNet® to update some of their excellent training material. Watch for new monographs on downloading data, IT auditing and more. If you are interested in developing a monograph on a contract basis, send an email to editor@auditnet.org AuditNet® is working on new specialized resources for auditors. Watch the newsletter and keep checking the Library page for new resources.
The only periodical of its kind bringing useful and timely advice and insights into the prevention detection, and investigation of all forms of computer and Internet crime. The February 2003 issue includes articles on critical legal issues governing your computer usage policy, information security: raising employee awareness and much more. For more information visit http://www.cybercrimefighter.net/ Conferences and Seminars THE CHANGING ROLE
OF THE INTERNAL AUDITOR This conference provides expert speakers addressing the latest and most topical issues regarding new processes & practices helping internal auditors successfully meet the expectations of BODs & auditing committees, senior executives, clients and external consultants. Includes case studies from Fidelity Investments, Bon Secours Health Systems, Staples, Schwan Food Company, FedEx, Anchor Bancorp, and others. AuditNet users will SAVE $200 using discount code: A434E. Register by calling 1-800-882-8684, email to: info@iqpc.com or online at http://www.iqpc.com/! Note: This discount
cannot be combined AuditNet Productivity Tips Benchmarking and Best Practices The Internet can be a very effective tool for benchmarking and identifying best practices for specific areas of your organization. The first step in the process is identifying the area of review. Once you have decided on a specific area then go to an Internet search engine such as Google and enter your query. My audit plan for the coming year included a review of warehouse inventory counts. An Internet search identified a GAO report on Best Practices in Achieving Consistent, Accurate Physical Counts of Inventory and Related Property. Another result highlighted a sampling plan to decide when to do total inventory. Benchmarking results included the Best Manufacturing Practices web site, a unique industry and government cooperative technology transfer effort that improves the global competitiveness of the U.S. industrial base. As I have so often said, the Internet is a useful audit tool, if you know how to use it. Utilizing effective search skills along with being creative in identifying areas for audit productivity is a powerful tool for audtors! IF YOU HAVE AN EXPERIENCE TO SHARE ON HOW YOU HAVE INCORPORATED THE INTERNET INTO YOUR AUDIT PROCESS, SHARE IT BY SENDING IT TO editor@auditnet.org. FREE! The Auditor's Guide to Internet Resources 2nd EditionInterested in a free copy of The Auditor's Guide to Internet Resources, 2nd Edition? Write an article for the next newsletter on how you are integrating the Internet in auditing. If your article is selected, I will send you either the book or CD. Send your article to editor@auditnet.org |
The Auditor's Guide
to Internet Resources, 2nd Edition! Audit Work Programs Corner Auditors Sharing Audit Programs and Workpapers The following audit programs, ICQs, checklist or
workpapers were added this month. They are in Audit Documents 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.
Software Compliance Audit News Software Asset Control You can now download a demonstration version and live
user manual of This tool is starting to have an impact as the end user management sees then benefits of the attack we are making on piracy at the desktop! It is far more effective at the desktop level than any other means as an anti-piracy measure. Audit Vendor News Pentana Launches
Automated Information Security Checklists Pentana, specialist in audit automation and checklist software, has launched a new system designed for assessing information security in accordance with the international standard ISO/IEC 17799. Click here to read the press release. New ACL Website Focuses on Business Assurance Solutions ACL's new Web site highlights information on the ways clients around the world have used ACL Business Assurance solutions to first identify indicators of profit erosion, revenue leakage and financial loss, then address these high-risk areas through data analysis and continuous monitoring applications. For more information about ACL's redesigned Website click here.
Your Secret Weapon in the War on Fraud The January issue of this fraud related newsletter features an article on fraud proofing your procurement procedures, controlling Worker's Comp fraud and more. The February issue covers the nine prohibited activities of external auditors, how to prevent receivables fraud and more. AuditNet® users qualify for special rates on this publication. For more information click here. AICPA and ACFE Jointly Release Fraud Training Program In an effort to provide resources to businesses to help with preventing fraud, the American Institute of Public Accountants and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners teamed together to produce a free training program. How Fraud Hurts You and Your Organization, a one-hour training program features definitions of fraud, examples of fraudulent activity, real-life case studies, warning signs, and much more. Click here to download this program. AuditNet® launches the Audit Bookstore 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®. Fraud Tips from the ExpertFrank Abagnale, the subject of Catch Me If You Can, from Dreamworks Pictures is the world's foremost authority of forgery embezzlement and secure documents. For some check fraud prevention tips from Mr. Abagnale, click here. (Editors Note: I had the pleasure of attending a seminar led by Mr. Abagnale several years ago. It was an experience I shall never forget!) For his comments on the film and book visit his Web site. AuditNet Feedback I just bailed into public accounting again. No library, no staff, no audit programs, no anything but 20 years of practice as an auditor and accountant...and proceeded to accept an audit engagement. Talk about scrambling to get back up to speed! I'm sure glad to find your web site, I'll plagiarize it to death, and hopefully return the favor with some sound audit programs geared to the needs of small business and the solo practitioner. Thanks! Very very useful. Some extremely good resources available. I wish I had found your site a long time ago. Thanks very much. I appreciate the professionalism, time, and effort of the individuals and organizations putting into this website.
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