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Auditor Attestation of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting: What You Can Expect
Many smaller public companies will soon be subject to their first auditor
attestation. For those holding out hope that the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) might eliminate, or limit in some way, the
attestation requirement for smaller public companies, insights as to the
SEC’s likely future actions were suggested in written responses by SEC
chairwoman, Mary Schapiro, to questions she received from Senator Carl Levin
during her confirmation process. Click here for more and the link to the report!
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 Paisley and TeamMate for sponsoring the newsletter!
The AuditNet® community has grown by leaps and bounds thanks to your continued support. Yes it is hard to imagine but it has been more a decade since this community was created! Support AuditNet® by supporting our advertisers. Advertisers, affiliates and document contributions from the AuditNet® community this site help to keep this site maintained in the quality that you have grown accustomed to.
The theme of this month's newsletter is Sarbanes-Oxley and therefore you will find articles and links to resources focused on that subject. Next month's theme is Technology. If you have an article or resource for technology 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 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
Pay by Phone or FAX AuditNet is now set up to accept credit card payments for subscriptions by phone or fax. If you are interested in this option click here!
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. Audit Programs The audit programs section of AuditNet requires registration in order to access. Beginning in January 2009 there will be a fee (TBD) to access the Level 1 audit programs. There will also be an increase (TBD) in Level 2 or premium content subscriptions. The rates will be announced at a later date. New audit program contributions are available only to paid subscribers or on a one-for-one exchange basis. There are currently over 100,000 registered users. A multi-user subscription rate is also available. Organizations that need more than 2 staff members accessing the service will benefit from this option. There are new additions to the premium audit programs each month that are available as an alternative for those auditors that are unable to or choose not to contribute material to AuditNet®. Site licenses are also available for organizations with more than 15 users. The best way to find all the resources on the site is by going to the AuditNet Library or use the site search.
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Harry Markopolos, CFE, CFA, couldn't have known that his first fraud
examination would last nine years and uncover the largest-ever Ponzi
scheme.
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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.
Updated Pages Since Last Month
Audit Report Writing
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) resources

Watch for a review of Rich's latest book! Improving
Corporate Risk Management!
By Dan Swanson
Has your organization completed a comprehensive review of its corporate risk management practices lately?
Richard Anderson new study regarding leading practices to adopt would be a great place to start.
Have another great month.
Dan Swanson
Click here for the resources!
Sentinel - Edition 46 - 28 May 2009
Read the latest edition of the Sentinel the IT Governance newsletter!
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® Vendor News
Check here for the latest news from our AuditNet® sponsors!

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!
Audit of Terms & Conditions of Leased Landed Properties
[Mismanagement or Fraud]
By Gursharan Singh
An organization [‘Trustee’] was appointed by the owner [‘Owner’] of several thousand landed properties located throughout the country in both urban and rural areas to manage them in an effective and efficient manner. The ‘Trustee’s’ management fees was to be the surplus of rental revenue after deducting all the outgoings such as Local Authority Rates/Rents/Taxes/Others and utility charges wherever applicable.
For the rest of the story click here!
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.
Exceeding Expectations for Internal Auditors
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.
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Webinar Invitation from ACL
Services Ltd.
Leveraging Technology for Value-Added Audits
Join two leading auditors for a webinar focused on delivering powerful audit
results for an insurance company dedicated to underwriting profits and
fostering growth.
Find out how data analytics can add significant value to your audits. Gain
insights from this case study about RLI insurance and hear about techniques
you can employ quickly. You will learn more about:
- Embedding CAAT tools in the audit process
- Moving to a continuous audit approach
- Identifying and preventing fraud
- Using red-flag indicators to reduce false positives
- Understanding your controls
Wednesday, July 15, 2009 11:00 am Pacific 2:00 pm Eastern
Register by following the link below:
https://aclevents.webex.com/mw0306l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=aclevents&service=6
Posted By Andrea Chomiczuk
|
Navigating GRC and Audit
Baselining Controls for More Efficient SOX Compliance By: Christopher Fox In the current economic environment, all sectors of business are being asked to maintain their present performance levels and even to do more with fewer resources and budget. This is particularly true with respect to program s like Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. If the baseline of controls for your SOX program have been stable over the last two years, it is reasonable for executive management to challenge the program team to identify some reasonable cost savings this year (think Lean!). This situation can be used by your team as a positive initiative to review your systems for greater efficiencies. Read the rest of the story here! Data Analytics Change Agents in a Tough Economy by David Chiang
As the economic downturn grips organizations around the globe, corporate governance steps into the spotlight. Boards of Directors and their designated audit committee members have a critical responsibility to be hands-on stewards of their organizations. As the board’s “agent on the ground,” Chief Audit Executives (CAEs) can provide great value to the governance process by helping audit committees monitor the impact of the financial crisis on their organizations. Using proven audit analytic techniques, CAEs can investigate and analyze – in real time – the organization’s key risks. And in the process, improve their organization’s governance best practices, and provide a higher level of business assurance.
For the rest of the article click here! 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
Sarbanes-Oxley Unconstitutional? The Supreme Court to Decide
by Thomas Derricotte
Do some Supreme Court justices harbor
doubts as to the constitutionality of Sarbanes-Oxley?
Sarbanes-Oxley Unconstitutional? Read more! Webcasts and Webinars for Auditors
Fraud Detection and Prevention:
Protecting Your Assets, Your Integrity and Your Future
According to research conducted by the Association of Certified
Fraud Examiners (ACFE), US organizations lose an estimated 7 percent of annual
revenues - a total of $994 Billion in 2008 - to fraud despite increased emphasis
on anti-fraud controls and legislation to combat fraud. In this webinar, leading
experts from AuditNet and FulcrumWay and specialists in fraud management discuss
methods used to detect unusual activity and transactions, monitor opportunities
for fraud, deter collusion and reduce financial losses. Learn how to analyze the
risk of fraud, assess fraud controls, and develop effective remediation and
prevention plans. Understand how you can develop a monitoring system that takes
advantage of your comprehensive fraud management program that notifies
management of suspected fraudulent transactions within and across applications
and systems. Active Directory AuditNet will be hosting a series of Webinars on Auditing Active Directory. Following are the titles, dates and times for these events.
CAN’T MAKE THE LIVE EVENT? Register anyway to receive a link to the recorded Webinar.
AuditNet® Data Analytics Using Data Analytics for AuditThree Time Saving Ideas for Auditorsby Mike Blakely The need for more efficient and effective analytical procedures has become increasingly apparent. This due to factors such as the economy, perceived lack of experienced auditors, etc.
The focus this month is on three techniques for ways perform analytical procedures more efficiently:
For the rest of the article click here!
What's New at AuditNet®
July 1, 2009 (Oakton, Virginia): AuditNet completed the update of registered users. Now all users that previously had free access to the Basic Level 1 audit program now must choose either the Basic Level 1 or Premium Level 2 subscription to download audit programs. We have also added an option where auditors can send audit programs in exchange for an annual subscription (one original program for the Basic or two audit programs for the Premium level). No other site offers this easy option to access audit programs.
June 1, 2009 (Oakton, Virginia):
Oakton, Virginia - AuditNet has created a new 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. The
site features a blog, discussion forum and the
opportunity for auditors to network for professional
purposes. This new tool complements the LinkedIn,
Google, and Yahoo networking sites established by
AuditNet for auditors. These all provide unlimited
opportunities for auditors to reach out and share with
one another. AuditNet also is now available on Twitter @auditnet. Twitter combines the concept of microblogging with instant messaging. Auditors that do not think of Twitter as an effective tool for professionals need to think again! I am finding there are audit, security, and control specialists who have established a Twitter presence and are finding ways to use it to open new lines of communication. Follow AuditNet on Twitter (see the home page) and you will receive special offers that will not be available to other users.
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 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 Corner
Coming Soon! Watch for Details “Fraud in Today’s Tough Economy: Internal Schemes that are
Worsening and How to Detect, Audit for and Prevent Them”. It has been widely
reported that fraud increases during economic downturns. But what kinds of
fraud should you be watching for? This session will highlight the research
and field experience of experts that identifies the specific types of fraud
that organizations must bolster defenses against during tough times. It will
then provide proven steps for detecting the red flags and audit techniques
for uncovering these frauds and how to implement the proper controls to
deter and prevent them. This will be the inaugural Webinar of a 6-event annual
series on critical fraud-auditing topics that ALL auditors and fraud
prevention professionals should attend. It is a unique opportunity to
showcase your product or service to a large targeted audience If you have an interest in sponsoring one of the FAST (Fraud Audit Training Skills) Webinars to introduce your product to the audit/fraud examiner community send an email to info@auditnet.org <mailto:info@auditnet.org > or wcc101@comcast.net. In the Subject field, simply type “Fraud-Audit Webinar Info”. Be sure to include your name and contact information.
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 previewing all the programs in the premium content section? Contribute an original audit work program not currently in the inventory and receive a 30 day trial subscription to the premium content. Contribute 5 programs and receive a one year trial subscription. (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;
I would like to get your advice on ratings of the
processes. In our department we would like to rate a process audited
and we cannot come up with good wording of ratings. We would like to
have 3 possible ratings of processes: 1. Appropriate 2. Improvement
needed 3. Inappropriate Would it be possible to get any other
wording of ratings, as we do not really like
appropriate/inappropriate words. Are there any guidelines on this?
A: I have
received this question from several internal audit departments. I
have found that internal audit departments use various
rating/ranking systems. The IIA
has issued a report on expressing opinions on audit reports which
references grading scales however there is no specific standard or
guideline on ranking. That being said, audit departments should
consider implementing an audit rating system approved by the audit
committee. A rating system facilitates conveying to the board a
consistent and concise assessment of the net risk posed by the area
or function audited. All written audit reports should reflect the
assigned rating for the areas audited.
In order to provide general guidance for the audit community on methodologies, AuditNet developed a Monograph on Audit Rating Systems which includes examples used by different organizations. If you have a rating/ranking methodology you would like to share send it to auditnet@gmail.com. Individuals will receive a copy of the completed monograph.
For more tips go to Ask the Auditor Forum for How Do I...
Submit a question for Ask the Auditor!
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.
AuditNet® Book Reviews
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.
Fraud Detection and
Prevention: Protecting Your Assets, Your Integrity and Your Future
Join us for this Must-Attend Webinar on July 22 Space is limited -
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/512582683
According to research conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), US organizations lose an estimated 7 percent of annual revenues - a total of $994 Billion in 2008 - to fraud despite increased emphasis on anti-fraud controls and legislation to combat fraud. In this webinar, leading experts from AuditNet and FulcrumWay and specialists in fraud management discuss methods used to detect unusual activity and transactions, monitor opportunities for fraud, deter collusion and reduce financial losses. Learn how to analyze the risk of fraud, assess fraud controls, and develop effective remediation and prevention plans. Understand how you can develop a monitoring system that takes advantage of your comprehensive fraud management program that notifies management of suspected fraudulent transactions within and across applications and systems.
Develop a competitive edge in the fight against fraud
including effective data mining tests for finding fraud and
errors in multiple operational and financial areas.
http://www.audimation.com/seminars.cfm
Combating Employee Fraud Conference & Workshop - Achieve a Fraud Free Organization with Effective Internal Controls & Proven Fraud Prevention Programs! 9 -10 July 2009, Singapore
(10% discount for members of AuditNet upon registration for the conference)
2nd Annual Effective SOX & MAR Strategies in the Re/Insurance Industry Improving SOX efficiency & processes and implementing the Model Audit Rule for insurance and reinsurance companies, 31 Aug-1 Sep 2009, Boston, USA
AuditWorld 2009*
* indicates events where you can meet Jim Kaplan
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
Special Offer to AuditNet Subscribers!
All AuditNet Subscribers get 10% off the regular conference fee! To take
advantage of this special discount, you must contact MIS Training
Institute’s Customer Service at (508) 879-7999 and reference the following
priority code when registering: AW09/AN. The discount offer is only valid
until August 28, 2009 and cannot be used in conjunction with any other
discount offer or on previous registrations.