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To get more information click here. AuditNet® Community Sponsor News! The AuditNet® community has grown by leaps and bounds over the past ten years thanks to your continued support. Yes it is hard to imagine but it has been a decade since this community was created! Support AuditNet® by supporting our sponsors. Without sponsor and affiliate advertising and contributions from the AuditNet® community everyone would have to pay for use of this site. This month check out This month check out D'Arcangelo Software Services Web enabled solutions. Galileo is a comprehensive and integrated audit management, documentation and reporting system, with optional links to Magique, an enterprise-wide risk management/control risk self-assessment system. Both are highly customizable, modular systems which support multiple remote auditors with comprehensive security. Remember! Clicking on sponsored ads helps support AuditNet®. Remember: visiting sponsors helps support AuditNet®. Build a whistleblower program without blowing the budget Business scandals. Financial frauds. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. These are a few reasons companies have a need to provide a means for people to report wrongdoing -- and protect those who make such reports. For smaller employers, developing a whistleblower program can be a big job. It takes time and resources, both of which can be especially difficult for smaller employers to spare. Click here for 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. For a limited time KnowledgeLeader memberships are available for the reduced rate of $595 per year. Tell them you heard about it from AuditNet.org. A Software Tip for Auditorsby Tom Kelly As an auditor in a former company I was employed at, I utilized mapping
software to plot the delivery destinations of merchandise that was sent out AuditNet® What's New This Month? This month we added a discussion forum for auditors. The AuditNet PowerPoint Presentation Library Exchange is ready and auditors have begun to share their work to help the entire community. A page is available for Expressing an Opinion on Internal Controls. The corporate subscription rate was added to the annual subscription program. Organizations that need more than 2 staff members accessing the service will benefit from this new rate. There are new additions to the audit programs subscription service available as an alternative for those auditors that are unable to contribute material to AuditNet®. All this and more! The best way to find all the resources on the site is by going to the Virtual Library or use the site search. AuditNet® Policies and Procedures Column Policies and Procedures Updateby Rose Hightower Policy Guru for APPLE Thank you to all who have shown support of the Policy Guru. In order to better serve you, when asking questions, please identify the company or type of industry and process you are referring to. Questions are still coming in about how to get started. The policy statement is often the most difficult aspect to determine. I find that unless the policy is driving the process, it is better to begin with the process, representing the current state. For the rest of the story click here! AuditNet® Creates A PowerPoint Presentation Sharing Library AuditNet® introduces a new sharing exchange library for audit presentations. Similar to the popular audit program exchange library, this page will provide sample actual training/briefing presentations from auditors. We encourage contributed material from the audit community. In light of the Sarbanes-Oxley demand this should be of great benefit to auditor communications to Boards and management. As with other AuditNet® services, together, we will build this page to serve presentation needs to shortcut the preparation process. If you have a presentation to share please send it to me for posting in the exchange library or provide the URL link where the presentation resides. Make sure you include the subject area such as: Sarbanes-Oxley I am encouraged by the initial response and believe that this concept will offer the same opportunities offered by the audit programs library by making sure that auditors do not have to "reinvent the wheel" or by facilitating the presentation process with a template starting point. AuditNet: Auditors Sharing Knowledge for Progress For the current additions and page click here!
Management of
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Dr. David J. Graham, a scientist at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for more than 20 years, says the agency could have prevented 60,000 deaths from the arthritis drug Vioxx. But Graham, the recipient of the ACFE's Cliff Robertson Sentinel Award, says the problems at the FDA go beyond the problems of one drug. |
This article is from Fraud Magazine, the professional magazine
of the Association of Certified Fraud
Examiners
For the rest of the article from the latest ACFE Fraud Magazine click here.
Accounting is often portrayed as boring and unimportant. Accountants and auditors are depicted in a similar manner. What investors forget is the value added to an organization by these professionals. The reality is that auditors and accountants help create, maintain, enforce, test and evaluate the internal financial controls of an organization. This process helps provide accurate accounting results and tends to keep business risks lower over many years. The value added by these services is not always fully appreciated by investors until bad accountants and unethical auditors combine to fleece investors.
For the rest of the article click here.
Audimation Services
Fighting Fraud with Data Mining Techniques
New 2005 Schedule
Learn how to create, implement, and
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AuditNet Enterprise Risk Management
ERM Based Auditing
by Jim D'Arcangelo
Internal auditing has received renewed attention since the
recent corporate governance and accounting scandals here in the United
States and in the 1990s in the U.K. The measures put in place to monitor
corporate governance, i.e., monitoring financial controls, have now expanded
to include
total enterprise risk management (ERM).
Click here for the rest of the story!
COSO releases small business SOX guidance exposure draft
COSO’s latest project, Guidance for Smaller Public
Companies Reporting on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, will
guide smaller public companies through the process of applying the
Internal Control — Integrated Framework when assessing and reporting on
the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. To access
and comment on the exposure draft, visit COSO’s Web site at -
www.coso.org or AuditNet subscribers can
download a copy from 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).
*Integrating the Internet into Internal Audit IIA Chapter Seminar Rochester, NY-Nov. 9, 2005
2005 ACFE Fraud Conferences and Training
2005 IIA Conferences and Training
* indicates events where Jim Kaplan is speaking
Pleier Corporation is still seeking
additional authors to publish on CD and earn royalties. |
E-Books for
Subscribers to the Annual Audit Programs


Note: The SarbOx Section 404 Compliance Tips for IT Managers was updated to reflect new compliance dates.
AuditNet® Using Digital Discussion Forums for Auditors
The Internet creates an atmosphere that promotes knowledge sharing and collaboration and provides digital tools that make knowledge sharing possible. The Web enables individuals to form groups to discuss issues and share information. AuditNet' goals have always been to enhance the way auditors work together, share ideas and resources, and build a digital network that will benefit the global audit community. One way to foster digital communication among auditors is the use of online discussion forums.
For the rest of the story click here!
Thanks for your support and until next month!
If you have a tip on how you are using the Internet or software applications for auditing send them to editor@auditnet.org Watch for more Internet boot camp tips from the auditing Internet guru!
Audit Work Programs Corner
Auditors Sharing Audit Programs and Working Papers
The following audit programs, ICQs, checklists
or working papers were added this month. They are in
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or
format.
Some may only be available in exchange for an audit work program
contribution not currently in the inventory.
Accounts Payable-Banking (Nov 05)
IT Application Questionnaire-Gov (Nov 05)
Other Real Estate Owned-Banking (Nov 05)
Payroll & Personnel-Banking (Nov 05)
PC Replacement Audit-Gov (Nov 05)
Prepaid/Accrued Expenses-Banking (Nov 05)
Purchasing-Banking (Nov 05)
Transit Services Audit Program (Nov 05)
Documents in the Queue!
The following audit documents will be posted next month. Interested in them now? Send an original audit work program, ICQ, checklist or other audit template and receive them via e-mail. Your contribution must include your name and email address.
Branch ATM Audit Checklist-Banking (Dec 05)
Customer Focus ICQ (Dec 05)
Decision Making ICQ (Dec 05)
Deposits Audit Program-Banking (Dec 05)
Cash Security ICQ-Banking (Dec 05)
Personnel Rules Compliance Audit-Government (Dec 05)
Potential Audit Comment (IT) Workpaper (Dec 05)
Contribution Required Audit Documents!
The following documents require the contribution of an audit program not currently in the inventory. They are also available to subscribers to the Audit Programs Subscription Service.
Accounts Receivable Checklist-Distribution Business (Nov 05)
Corporate Values ICQ (Nov 05)
Purchasing-Accounts Payable-Tobacco (Nov 05)
Sales ICQ (Nov 05)
Sarbanes-Oxley Segregation of Duties Evaluator (Nov 05)
Vending - Sales & Receipting Checklist (Nov 05)
Web Site Building and Maintenance (Nov 05)
Looking for Auditors?
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. Using the jobs section helps support AuditNet® as well! For more information click here.
Sarbanes-Oxley Corner
White Paper Reveals Impact of S-Ox on AP Functions
By Mary Schaeffer
Editorial Director
Accounts Payable Now & Tomorrow
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act has changed they way organizations (both public and private) handle their accounts payable operations. We’re not just talking about the way invoices are handled, but also related functions such as 1099 reporting, unclaimed property, sales and use tax, T&E, etc. Accounts Payable Now & Tomorrow (www.ap-now.com), a newsletter for professionals interested in payment issues, recently polled a group of its readers to determine if and how the Act had changed the way various accounts payable functions were handled. “We were surprised to find that organizations of all types have been influenced by the Act,” says Mary Schaeffer, the publication’s editorial director. Interestingly, the impact is not limited to public companies.
The results of the poll along with some recommendations are available in a white paper, Internal Controls & Accounts Payable: The Effect of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on Both Private and Public Companies. The poll, on which the report is based, was conducted as part of the research for a new book, Accounts Payable and Sarbanes-Oxley: Strengthening Your Internal Controls to be published next year by John Wiley & Sons.
Auditnet.org has made arrangements for its readers to receive a copy of this paper when they sign up to receive the complimentary quick-read e-zine (delivered weekly via e-mail) e-News from the AP Front. Both will be delivered to you at no charge. You can sign up for the white paper and the e-zine at www.ap-now.com/e-zine.htm.
5 Signs That Your Audit Planning Approach is Failing
by Bruce McCuaig CA, CCSA, CIA
This is the time of year that many audit departments start to think about planning for the year ahead. The current years audit coverage is well under way, general business conditions are known and audit resource levels for the year ahead can be anticipated with some degree of certainty.
For the rest of the story click here!
Bruce McCuaig CA, CCSA, CIA, Principal Consultant, Collaborative Assurance & Risk Design with Paisley Consulting, the Cokato Minnesota business accountability solutions provider. Contact: bruce.mccuaig@paisleyconsulting.com
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Making the Most of the Job Fair Experience By Robbie Miller Kaplan, author of “How to Say It In Your Job Search” Prentice Hall Press 2002. Job fairs offer big benefits to job seekers. You have an opportunity to network, identify what employers are seeking in applicants, participate in actual interviews, practice your interview skills, and maybe - get a job offer! If nothing else you can apply what you learn to more clearly target your resume for positions of interest. How can you prepare and maximize the job fair experience? It’s helpful to prepare as if it were a job interview; bring along professional copies of your resume, practice responding to interview questions, and dress as if you were attending a job interview. You’ll make the best impression if you research the organizations prior to the job fair. Get a sense of what is going on with the organization. Are they expanding? Merging? Did they just receive a government contract? Launching a new product? If you have a sense of what is going on, you can craft an appropriate question or, you can read up on the organization to have an idea of who they are and then ask questions to share a bit of their own information with the recruiter or interviewer. How can you ensure a successful job fair experience? It's good idea to work the entire fair. Begin with organizations of least interest and work up to your top choices. You'll gain more confidence with each experience so you'll be in top form for your top picks. Prepare and introduce yourself to each employer with a 30-second introduction; include what you have been doing, what you are looking for and the skills and experience you want to use. Always collect business cards and definitely follow up with employers that you interviewed with if you are interested in them. You can also solicit feedback on your resume to ensure it is a strong as it can be. While waiting in line, read some of the brochures you pick up or an industry publication. And don’t just network with employers; network with other applicants. Find out what they are looking for, share a lead with an organization that is not a fit but may fit the applicant, and visa versa. Follow up with individuals you met so you can expand your network. You never know where or when the perfect lead will materialize; make sure you don’t miss it. |
AuditNet® CAATT Corner
Audio Conference-Building Anti-Fraud Programs and Controls that Run on Auto-Pilot
Rich Lanza, CPA, CFE, PMP
The well-publicized scandals surrounding some of the world’s largest companies have led many organizations in both the public and private sectors to be more proactive in taking steps to prevent or deter fraud.
Savvy financial professionals know they need to implement more anti-fraud procedures—not simply because they’re a regulatory requirement of Sarbanes-Oxley—but because they create bottom-line savings for their company. After all, an estimated 6% of any one company’s revenue is lost to fraud!
Building Anti-Fraud Programs and Controls that Run on Auto-Pilot
Friday, December 2, 2005 * 2:00 PM ET
Join IOMA and anti-fraud expert, Rich Lanza, in this must-attend
audio program for some quick steps that can be taken immediately to
build your anti-fraud program. Learn how to automate and put these
procedures on auto-pilot so you can relax and get on with growing
your company and your career.
For the Conference details and registration information click here!
AuditNet® Book Reviews
Designing and Writing Message-based Audit Reports
by Sally F. Cutler, MA
Writing audit reports is an important and continuing skill that
auditors need to develop and improve. All of the audit work that has
gone before is wasted if the auditor cannot convey their observations,
findings and recommendations to their intended audience. This
publication which is part of the IIA Handbook Series will help all
staff levels to improve their work product. The author has been
working with auditors for almost 15 years and this book covers the
process from objectives and readers, report design, reporting process,
and writing quality. There are examples, exhibits and templates
available as a ready reference. Your audit library needs books that
can help the beginning auditor right up through the CAE and this is a
book that can fit the bill.
AuditNet®
Software Compliance Audit Corner
PCProfile Offers Discounted Prices to AuditNet®
for the Software Compliance Toolbox© The Software Compliance Toolbox
provides detailed information and guidance on how you can manage
software compliance affairs across the whole organization with a large
set (over 70 articles) of self help articles that are based on audit
experiences and knowledge gained over 15 years in this industry. To
gain this level of detail most sites traditionally engage For AuditNet special pricing click
here!
Your Secret Weapon in the War on Fraud The November 2005 issue of this fraud newsletter
features articles on enforcing ethical standards, unattended
computers, cost effective information security compliance and more. AuditNet® users qualify
for special rates on this publication. For more information click here. Fraud
Awareness Free Pilot Program Available for AuditNet® users FraudAware is a unique interactive on-line awareness course
designed to help managers and line employees recognize the red flags
of accounting fraud, embezzlement, theft of trade secrets or
confidential customer data, vendor and payroll schemes, identity theft
and more. Customizable to your specific risk management policies and
procedures and code of conduct, FraudAware also directly
supports compliance with the whistleblower provisions of
Sarbanes-Oxley by equipping employees with the awareness and knowledge
necessary to make effective use of the new law’s mandatory fraud
reporting hotline. AuditNet.org and White-Collar Crime 101 LLC, developers of
FraudAware, are pleased to offer Free Pilot programs of the
FraudAware course for up to 20 managers or line employees at your
company. For information on this program go to
www.auditnet.org/fraudaware.htm 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®.
How to Say It When You
Don't Know What to Say The Right Words for Difficult Times By Robbie Miller Kaplan
As
auditors we constantly interact with diverse stakeholders such as
colleagues, managers, employees and others. Frequently we encounter
people dealing with challenging and difficult times that may or may
not be related to work. Our reaction to these situations is conveyed
in our behavior both nonverbal and verbal.
For the rest of the review click
here. Interested 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 an electronic copy of the book.
Contact us for details.
AuditNet® Vendor News
Check here for the latest news from our AuditNet®
sponsors!
Paisley Consulting press releases
AuditNet® Partner Discounts Check out all the software vendors that offer
discounts to the AuditNet® community. AuditNet® It pays to be a member! For information on partner discounts click
here. Please let us know of links that are not
working! For
those who like to wade through the details on how popular AuditNet®
is, click here for the current stats. Amigo in Spanish means "friend" and this new audit
documentation tool could help the AuditNet community. Auditors
are always looking for new tools to make their jobs a little easier. I
was pleasantly surprised when I received an email from an auditor that
developed this audit documentation tool. He advised that he was making
this tool available freely to the AuditNet community. AMIGO, the Audit
Management and Information Guidance Software is a simple audit
documentation software for the individual auditor. It allows internal
auditors to Design audit programs and program templates
based on requirements Document work done in simple electronic audit
work papers Document issues in a simplified issue format Print work papers, issues and report as required Generate reports AuditNet will work with this auditor to add features and
improve the system. All we need is your feedback on using the system. To get your copy of AMIGO click
here!
Free Tools for Audit Program Subscribers
Sarbanes-Oxley Enterprise Risk Management Software SOXERM is a small and user-friendly, but powerful database
which documents in a convenient format the key internal controls of your
company. The main purpose is to give a cost-effective answer to the new
Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements by providing adequate documentation to the
Audit Committee and the External Auditors that the Company has identified,
reviewed and addressed the main risks, is constantly monitoring them and
taking appropriate action when required. The software requires Lotus Notes
and is free to AuditNet Audit Programs Subscribers. Coming Attractions! AuditNet is developing a new section with links and
tools for audit report writing. Beginning in January all audit programs received
will be available only to annual subscribers.
Subscribe now to lock in the
subscription rate for 2006. The AuditNet Monograph Series
provides useful guides for all levels of auditors from juniors right up to
audit directors. New guides are under development for Sarbanes-Oxley, internal
controls and Internet for auditors. These guides will be available to
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, and more from contributors. Reviews are in the
works for audit books, Sarbanes-Oxley book series from Wiley and more. 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.
consultants at expensive hourly rates to gain the same level of
awareness. The details in the Software Compliance Toolbox (templates,
policy, declarations etc, resources and tools) are designed to enable
sites to "do it themselves", saving costs all round by focusing on
getting back to business basics.
FREE! The
Auditor's Guide to Internet Resources 2nd Edition
AuditNet® Resource List Updates
AuditNet®
Statistics
Revised: January 14, 2008