Tools

The following tools were published on KnowledgeLeader this week:

Sarbanes-Oxley Process Improvement Guide

Use this guide to transition your organization’s SOX sustainability program from an ad-hoc process to a sustainable, cost-effective and value-added process over time. In order to meet this objective, the sustainability plan has four stages. The benefits of this approach include all levels of organization assuming responsibility for effective risk management.

Accounting and Finance Organizational Assessment

Perform a thorough evaluation of your accounting and finance functions with the resources in this sample audit report. According to this sample, continued growth targets will require stable and roles and responsibilities need to be defined to best support accounting’s transactional, ad-hoc and “high-touch” needs.

Treasury Internal Control Questionnaire

The questions included in this tool can be used by management to perform a control self-assessment of their operations. Sample questions include: Have any new systems been implemented or existing systems been modified? If so, do these changes result in process changes that significantly affect the controls within this area? Based on your assessment, would you conclude that your control environment, with respect to this process, is primarily system-based or manual in nature? 

Consolidation of Finance Functions Audit Work Program

The purpose of this work program is to provide the general steps used to perform an audit on consolidation of finance functions. This document provides the audit steps needed to address the finance functions associated with the accounts payable, accounts receivable, accounting operations, payroll, cost accounting, information systems, human resources and transfer pricing departments.

Sales Compensation Audit Work Program

Review your company's sales compensation and commission payment process with the steps in this audit work program. The primary objective is to review controls, metrics and process efficiency. Project work steps include reviewing existing policies and procedures for the sales commission process and reviewing the sales compensation and commission plan documents.

Policy and Practice Development Policy

Establish guidelines for the formulation, finalization and maintenance of your organization’s policies and practices with these two samples. Any policy formulated should conform with applicable laws and regulations and should be consistent with the mission and philosophy of the company.

Price Administration Policy

This policy outlines a set of procedures for establishing guidelines related to price administration, including price setup, price maintenance and review, and the timely update of prices. In this sample, a company must ensure valid and accurate prices are used in all customer orders. Product prices should be established and approved by sales. Prices may be subject to market indices and individual customer negotiations and contracts; therefore, product prices will vary among customers.

Publications 

KnowledgeLeader has also published several publications this week.

21st-Century Board Oversight of Talent

The board should ascertain that C-suite leaders and chief human resource officers (CHROs) are adapting as talent markets and economic conditions change. Today’s talent challenges cannot be solved with yesterday’s thinking. In this issue of Board Perspectives, we explore how directors can engage management in establishing a new normal for managing people. 

Survey of the Current and Emerging Ransomware Threat Landscape

Ransomware attacks have become more prevalent, sophisticated and organized. Ransomware is a catch-all term associated with revenue-generating malicious software that encrypts and/or immobilizes the target system or data until payment is rendered. The ransom is typically paid via anonymous means to obscure the payee. This article addresses the history and evolution of ransomware and the current state of ransomware attacks, approaches and targets. 

Value Chain Mapping for Risk Transformation in Australia’s New Regulatory Environment

Australia’s financial services industry continues to face evolving community expectations, regulatory change and scrutiny. This whitepaper explains how finance firms in Australia can transform through value chain mapping and benefits realization to stay compliant with new financial regulations. 

Recommended Resources 

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

1. Peacocking, Newskilling and Digital Detox: Nine New Workplace Trends CFOs Must Know
2. Riding on 5G, Fixed Wireless Access Technology Continues to Make Huge Waves
3. Blind Adventurer Challenges Engage Attendees to Reach New Heights