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The Nature of SOX Projects. August 16, 2006 PMI Chapter Luncheon Meeting Amin Leiman, CISA. Agenda:. Characteristics of SOX Projects “Instant Managers” Challenges Conducting an “instant” analysis of a SOX project. Material Weakness Reported by Type. Key Phases of Project Compliance.
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The Nature of SOX Projects August 16, 2006 PMI Chapter Luncheon Meeting Amin Leiman, CISA
Agenda: • Characteristics of SOX Projects • “Instant Managers” Challenges • Conducting an “instant” analysis of a SOX project
Key Phases of Project Compliance • Develop the Compliance Plan • Select the priority accounts and disclosures from financial statement risk assessment (FSRA) • Consider significance to financial reporting and risk of misstatement Project Planning • Identify the key processes impacting financial reporting • Document the transaction flows that materially impact the priority financial reporting elements • Designate a standard framework for documenting and testing Document Key Processes Source Risks • Use financial reporting assertions to source “what can go wrong” within the process • What are the risks? • Document entity controls (“tone at the top”) • Document the controls at the source of the risk (preventive) or downstream in the process (detective and corrective) Document Controls • What are the key controls? • Who owns the controls? • Identify control objectives Assess Design • Assess effectiveness of controls design at Entity and Activity / Process Levels • How is the controls design rated? Current Status • Test effectiveness of controls operation at Entity and Activity / Process Levels • Identify exceptions, classify and remediate deficiencies Validate Operation • How are controls performing? • Conclude • Disclose • Report Report Collaboration and Communication Coordinate with External Auditor
Characteristics of SOX Projects: • As a result of corporate “911” events • Panic Mode • Uncertainties • Last minute action plans • Unintended consequences • Primarily driven by external auditors
Challenges of “Instant” Managers: • Organizations and projects are, by nature, political • The ultimate inspiration is the deadline • Relying on ballpark estimates • Victim of Parkinson’s Law – Work will expand to take the time allowed • Balancing the Right and Left Brain • “You can’t solve a problem with the same thinking that created it in the first place” Albert Einstein
Web Sites • http://www.sec.gov/divisions/corpfin/faqs/soxact2002.htm • http://cpcaf.aicpa.org/Resources/Sarbanes+Oxley/ • http://weblog.gartner.com/weblog/index.php?blogid=11 • http://www.pwcglobal.com • http://www.protiviti.com/
Q&A “Misunderstandings sometimes occur because of differences in thinking preferences” Thank you for coming to our presentation today !