Tools
The following tools were published on KnowledgeLeader this week:
Risk Assessment Map and Guide
This risk assessment guide helps to identify and document critical business processes and the internal controls within each process. Combined with facilitated management meetings, this approach can help gain companywide consensus by including key process owners in risk and controls analysis.
Service-Level Agreement Guide
Service-level agreements (SLAs) are commitments between service providers and clients. This sample document can be used by organizations as a guide to developing and understanding SLAs. Areas included in the scope of this tool are audience, purpose, assumptions and contacts. Service details include file formats, file delivery expectations, escalation actions, application escalation resources, service hours for problem resolution and application file development.
Importance of Project Audits Guide
This guide outlines sample work program fieldwork and administrative steps for a company’s project audit process. Best practices include: management should be concerned with on-time and within-budget project delivery; project audits assist in ensuring that corporate initiatives are well managed and have a positive impact on the organization; and project audit’s assurance role supports senior management, the audit committee, the board of directors and other stakeholders.
Procurement and Accounts Payable Audit Work Program
This tool includes three sample work programs that provide key steps for reviewing organizations' procurement and accounts payable process. Sample steps in these audit programs include understanding the difference between transactions involving direct and indirect materials and understanding the relationship and communication between the material managers and the individual divisional purchasing department.
Industrial Leave of Absence Policy
This sample policy outlines a set of procedures for an industrial leave of absence, in accordance with all United States state and federal regulations pertaining to workers' compensation. According to this sample, an industrial leave of absence should be granted based upon the needs of the employee as well as the needs of the company.
Individuals with Disabilities Policy
Organizations should operate under a non-discrimination policy in all employment practices per the provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. According to this policy, reasonable accommodation is any change or adjustment to a job or work environment that permits a qualified applicant or employee with a disability to participate in the job application process.
Depreciation Policy
This policy provides guidelines for the computation and recording of capitalized property, plant and equipment costs depreciation. In this sample, capitalized plant and equipment costs depreciation for financial reporting should be computed principally using accelerated methods based on the estimated service lives of the assets.
Publications
KnowledgeLeader has also published several publications this week.
Freedom to Fail: Risk Appetite for Innovation
At a recent NACD Master Class event, Protiviti moderated a discussion among the participating directors about making innovation work in today’s rapidly evolving and disruptive markets. In this issue of Board Perspectives, we explore how boards can thrive in a rapidly changing world by fostering a higher risk appetite for innovation.
Offense for Defense: The Art and Science of Cybersecurity Red Teaming
Organizations must develop a comprehensive understanding of their security posture and make informed decisions to enhance their defenses. This article dives into the methodologies, tools, techniques and strategies employed in Cybersecurity Red Teaming, as well as the planning practices that underpin successful engagements.
Q3 2023 IPO Trends
Initial public offerings (IPOs) grew slightly in the third quarter of 2023. In total, 45 IPOs raised a combined total of $9.2 billion during Q3. Q3 2023 saw an increase in both the number of IPOs and the proceeds raised compared to Q2 2023. In this article, Audit Analytics further examines the major increase in IPOs between Q3 2022 and Q3 2023.
Recommended Resources
This list of recommended resources from the web may be of interest to you. Click each link to learn more.