Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) General and Applications Controls

📘 Course Headline: Master Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Compliance with a Focus on General and Application Controls, plus Spreadsheet Security!

Course Overview:

Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) has been a cornerstone of corporate governance since its enactment in 2002. This comprehensive course dives into the critical aspects of SOX compliance, emphasizing the role of general controls (GC), application controls (AC), and spreadsheet controls within an organization's financial reporting processes. It's not just about compliance anymore; it's about understanding how IT controls can significantly impact internal control over financial reporting (ICFR).

Key Learning Objectives:

• 🔹 Understanding the Evolution of SOX Compliance: Explore the historical context and the shifting focus on IT controls in ICFR.
• 🔹 General & Application Controls Explained: Learn how GC and AC form the backbone of an organization's ability to provide reliable financial reporting.
• 🔹 Risk Assessment and Scoping: Gain insights into the top-down risk assessment approach, including the baselining technique for effective IT controls scoping.
• 🔹 Impact of IT Controls on ICFR: Discover how specific technology controls can mitigate financial risks and what this means for your SOX compliance strategy.

Course Content Breakdown:

Section 1: Introduction to Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX)

• Overview of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
• The purpose and significance of SOX in today's corporate environment
• Initial misconceptions about IT controls and their role in ICFR

Section 2: General Controls (GC)

• Defining general controls and their importance in financial reporting
• Examples of effective GC within an organization
• The relationship between GC and the overall integrity of financial statements

Section 3: Application Controls (AC)

• Understanding application controls and their specific role in ICFR
• How ACs can safeguard against material misstatement
• Real-world case studies on application controls and their impact on compliance

Section 4: Spreadsheet Controls

• The prevalence of spreadsheets in financial reporting and their associated risks
• Best practices for implementing controls over spreadsheets
• Strategies to manage and mitigate the risk of spreadsheet misuse

Section 5: SOX Compliance Scoping

• A detailed exploration of the PCAOB and SEC guidance on scoping IT controls
• How to apply a baselining approach for effective control evaluations
• Practical steps for conducting a SOX compliance risk assessment

Who Should Take This Course:

This course is designed for finance professionals, auditors, compliance officers, internal auditors, and anyone involved in the preparation or review of financial statements who needs to understand the role of IT controls in ICFR under SOX.

Continuing Education Credit (CPE/CE/CPD):

Elevate your professional credentials by earning Continuing Education Credit for this course! Illumeo is an approved provider for CPE and other CE credits for over two dozen professional certifications, including finance, accounting, treasury, internal audit, HR, and more. Take this course on the Illumeo platform to earn your credits.

About Illumeo:

Illumeo Learning is a leading provider of online training for professionals in accounting, finance, treasury, risk management, IT audit, compliance, and human resources. Our courses are designed to meet the learning needs of busy professionals who require flexible, high-quality, and effective training solutions.

Ready to enhance your knowledge of SOX compliance? Enroll in "Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) General Controls, Applications Controls, and Spreadsheet Controls" today on the Illumeo dot com platform and secure your Continuing Education Credits! 🚀📚