Tools

The following tools were published on KnowledgeLeader this week:

Check Distribution Policy

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidelines for authorizing, processing and distributing checks. It explores the responsibilities of accounts payable (AP) coordinators, who must handle all check distribution tasks after obtaining approval from senior management, specifically the senior vice president (SVP) and controller. The policy mandates specific days for check runs and emphasizes the importance of internal controls to ensure proper processing and authorization.

IT Change Management Policy

This document contains multiple sample policies that provide an overview of procedures organizations should perform during the IT change management process. Sample 1 of the IT Change Management Policy outlines a comprehensive framework for managing changes to IT assets within a company. The purpose is to ensure that all changes are consistently recorded, assessed, authorized, tested and released to maintain system availability, data integrity and interoperability.

System Backup Review Audit Work Program

The purpose of this sample audit work program is to review an organization’s system backup procedures, which aims to ensure that all critical applications and data are adequately backed up and recoverable in the event of data loss or system failures. The document offers a structured process, starting with planning and fieldwork to detailed testing of backup operations and media handling. 

Balance Sheet Review Audit Work Program

This sample audit program ensures that each account on the balance sheet is assigned to someone for reconciliation during the close-the-books (CTB) process. This tool provides a detailed plan to assess the accuracy and completeness of financial records, focusing on key components such as cash balances, receivables, payables and fixed assets. Explore structured guidelines that facilitate the evaluation of whether close-the-books controls are effectively in place and if cash balances are accurately recorded and properly classified.

Insurance Claims Review (Healthcare) Audit Work Program

Our Insurance Claims Review (Healthcare) Audit Work Program provides a framework for effectively evaluating the internal controls in the healthcare insurance claims review process. It covers a wide range of aspects including duplicates, claim payment calculations, claim approvals, electronic Medicare claim files, reconciliation systems for claims processed, systems interfaces, vendor data and more. 

Credit Limits Audit Work Program

Our Credit Limits Audit Work Program is a comprehensive guide designed for auditors to systematically assess and ensure the adequacy of credit limits within a financial institution. Utilizing this program, an auditor can expect to achieve several key outcomes. Firstly, the program facilitates verification that credit limits are properly approved, ensuring adherence to internal policies and regulatory standards. 

Publications 

KnowledgeLeader has also published several publications this week.

Executive Perspectives on Top Risks for the Near- and Long-Term 

Boards of directors and senior executive teams face a complex web of uncertainties. These may generate opportunities for strategic advantage or risks leading to unexpected disruption and performance shortfalls. This report — our 13th annual edition — contains insights from 1,215 board members and C-suite executives around the world regarding their perspectives on the top risks they see on the horizon for both the near-term (two to three years ahead) and the long-term (a decade later, 2035).

Top Compliance Priorities for U.S. Healthcare Organizations in 2025

In the dynamic landscape of healthcare compliance, organizations stand at the forefront of a new era marked by innovation and regulatory transformation. It is incumbent upon compliance officers, management and staff members to navigate this complex terrain with foresight and diligence. In the attached whitepaper, Protiviti’s risk and compliance experts weigh in on the top compliance priorities for healthcare organizations in 2025 and what these changes mean under a new administration. 

The ESG Controller—A “Job of the Future” That’s Actually Here Now

As the stakes increase for ensuring the integrity of sustainability reports, CFOs across all industries should not only consider adding the ESG controller role in the finance function but also determine how a newly appointed ESG controller can be positioned to succeed. In this article, we offer four ways finance leaders can lay the groundwork for ESG controllers to thrive in performing their respective duties.  

Recommended Resources 

This list of recommended resources from the web may be of interest to you. Click each link to learn more. 

1. Financial Planning Aspects of Unretiring
2. Off-Season Engagement Highlights Shifting Views on ESG
3. Harness the Power of AI Across GENERATIONS