The top 7 SOX courses you need to take

1. Introduction to Sarbanes Oxley (SOX)

4.3

(387)

Sarbanes-Oxley was passed in 2002 and year one of attestation for publicly traded companies was 2004.  Ten years later the legislation continues to challenge companies, auditors and compliance professionals when evaluating a company's control structure.  SOX section 404, although the most prominent, is only one of the many requirements covered under the legislation.  In addition, the impetus of COSO 2013 has re-focused companies' efforts on evaluating their key controls.  Companies must continually evaluate whether they have designed and identified the proper controls and have adequate tests in place to determine control efficiency.  With the evolution of technology solutions, the impact of information systems changes must be continually evaluated to ensure controls are adequately addressed.  This Sarbanes Oxley training course is an overview of the proper processes, controls and tests companies must use to determine adequate internal and financial controls. We discuss how to recognize components of SOX and the Internal Control Framework, the requirements for Top-Down Risk Assessment, as well as how to identify legislation changes and challenges, Auditing Standard 2 and Auditing Standard 5, and how to discover the SOX Sequence of process (documentation, design, evaluation). If you would like Continuing Education Credit (e. g. CPE, CE, CPD, etc.) for this course, it is available if you take this course on the Illumeo dot com platform under course title: Sarbanes Oxley (SOX) Overview. Illumeo is certified to provide CPE in over two dozen different professional certifications covering finance, accounting, treasury, internal audit, HR, and more. However, in order to receive CPE credit the courses must be taken on an 'approved-by-the-governing-body' CPE platform, and for over two dozen corporate professional certifications, that is the Illumeo platform. Go to Illumeo dot com to learn more...

2. Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Testing

4.1

(116)

Often, when the term Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) comes up, individuals contemplate the testing processes that are required to be executed.  As evidenced in previous courses, many things must occur prior to even beginning to contemplate what, when and how to test.  Previous courses have discussed an overview of the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation at a high level, SOX authoritative bodies including the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the evolution of the Sarbanes-Oxley standards, performing a top down risk assessment (RA), evaluating entity level and soft controls, SOX sections 404, 302, 806, 902, and 906, and the connection to an internal control framework and the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) 2013. This course focuses on the validation of control operations, which is executed through tests of controls.  Tests can be performed in multiple ways and will be dependent on the type of control.  In some instances, several tests may be performed on one control. If you would like Continuing Education Credit (e. g. CPE, CE, CPD, etc.) for this course, it is available if you take this course on the Illumeo dot com platform under course title: Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Testing. Illumeo is certified to provide CPE in over two dozen different professional certifications covering finance, accounting, treasury, internal audit, HR, and more. However, in order to receive CPE credit the courses must be taken on an 'approved-by-the-governing-body' CPE platform, and for over two dozen corporate professional certifications, that is the Illumeo platform. Go to Illumeo dot com to learn more...

3. SOX 302: Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

4.2

(94)

To re-establish investor confidence, the Sarbanes-Oxley legislation made executive certifications of financial statements a permanent requirement for all publicly traded companies in the U. S. In doing so, they introduced a newly defined term "disclosure controls and procedures." This expanded the concept of Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. SOX Section 302 became effective August 29, 2002. It stated: "The executive certification requirement applies to companies filing quarterly/ annual reports with the SEC under Section 13(a) or 15 (d) of 1934 Exchange Act."  Since the implementation date for SOX 302 was well before SOX 404, many questions surfaced regarding the adequacy of procedures established. In addition, many companies have not significantly revisited their procedures since initially establishing them. SOX 302 certification requirements are essential to proper financial reporting. All personnel should have a strong understanding of the requirements and their obligations related to SOX 302. This course is designed to provide a deeper understanding of the requirements behind SOX 302, the meaning of the certifications required from management and an analysis of processes that should be continually re-evaluated for improvement. If you would like Continuing Education Credit (e. g. CPE, CE, CPD, etc.) for this course, it is available if you take this course on the Illumeo dot com platform under course title: Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Section 302: Internal Controls over Financial Reporting. Illumeo is certified to provide CPE in over two dozen different professional certifications covering finance, accounting, treasury, internal audit, HR, and more. However, in order to receive CPE credit the courses must be taken on an 'approved-by-the-governing-body' CPE platform, and for over two dozen corporate professional certifications, that is the Illumeo platform. Go to Illumeo dot com to learn more...

4. Understanding Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Section 404

3.9

(252)

The most contentious aspect of SOX is Section 404, which requires management and the external auditor to report on the adequacy of the company's internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR). This is the most costly aspect of the legislation for companies to implement, as documenting and testing important financial manual and automated controls requires enormous effort. This course provides an overview of SOX Section 404 and discusses how one can effectively implement a solid program to address the needs of Section 404.  The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) approved Auditing Standard No. 5 for public accounting firms on July 25, 2007. This standard superseded Auditing Standard No. 2, the initial guidance provided in 2004. The SEC also released its interpretive guidance on June 27, 2007. These two standards together require management to: Understand the flow of transactions, including IT aspects, in sufficient detail to identify points at which a misstatement could arise;Evaluate company-level (entity-level) controls, which correspond to the components of the COSO framework;Perform a fraud risk assessment;Evaluate controls designed to prevent or detect fraud, including management override of controls;Evaluate controls over the period-end financial reporting process;Scale the assessment based on the size and complexity of the company;Rely on management's work based on factors such as competency, objectivity, and risk;Conclude on the adequacy of internal control over financial reporting. Sarbanes-Oxley was passed in 2002 and year one of attestation for publically traded companies was 2004.  SOX section 404 is the most prominent of the many requirements covered under the legislation.  Taking this course will prepare you to successfully address the challenges of Section 404 at your company - a high profile and critical process! If you would like Continuing Education Credit (e. g. CPE, CE, CPD, etc.) for this course, it is available if you take this course on the Illumeo dot com platform under course title: Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Section 404. Illumeo is certified to provide CPE in over two dozen different professional certifications covering finance, accounting, treasury, internal audit, HR, and more. However, in order to receive CPE credit the courses must be taken on an 'approved-by-the-governing-body' CPE platform, and for over two dozen corporate professional certifications, that is the Illumeo platform. Go to Illumeo dot com to learn more...

5. Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Identifying and Documenting Controls

4.1

(167)

This course explores how identifying and documenting controls for Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) is key to enabling the evaluation of process design. It will also ensure testing processes can be effectively executed.  Assessors must have a strong understanding of the types and methods of internal controls. Documentation methods must meet organizational needs. To identify controls, you must understand the concept of internal control. Internal control is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of objectives in the following areas: effectiveness/efficiency of operations; reliability of financial reporting; compliance with applicable laws/regulations; and safeguarding assets. You must also understand the types of control and the various methods of documentation. If you would like Continuing Education Credit (e. g. CPE, CE, CPD, etc.) for this course, it is available if you take this course on the Illumeo dot com platform under course title: Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Identifying and Documenting Controls. Illumeo is certified to provide CPE in over two dozen different professional certifications covering finance, accounting, treasury, internal audit, HR, and more. However, in order to receive CPE credit the courses must be taken on an 'approved-by-the-governing-body' CPE platform, and for over two dozen corporate professional certifications, that is the Illumeo platform. Go to Illumeo dot com to learn more...

6. Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) General and Applications Controls

4.1

(178)

This course speaks directly to the importance of general controls (GC), application controls (AC) and spreadsheet controls as they relate to Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX).  In the initial years of SOX compliance, many felt that a material weakness could not result from a failure of any type of Information Technology (IT) control. The world has changed, and IT is no longer simply a back office function. IT is of strategic importance to internal control over financial reporting (ICFR), and it must be adequately evaluated from both a GC and AC level. The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) guidance states technology controls should only be part of SOX 404 to the extent specific financial risks are addressed. This approach can significantly reduce the scope of IT controls required in the assessment.  Scoping decision is part of the entity's top-down risk assessment and can utilize a baselining approach.  However, to understand the aspects of how to scope and baseline information technology controls, the assessor must have a strong understanding of how technology controls impact internal controls over financial reporting. If you would like Continuing Education Credit (e. g. CPE, CE, CPD, etc.) for this course, it is available if you take this course on the Illumeo dot com platform under course title: Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) General Controls, Applications Controls, and Spreadsheet Controls. Illumeo is certified to provide CPE in over two dozen different professional certifications covering finance, accounting, treasury, internal audit, HR, and more. However, in order to receive CPE credit the courses must be taken on an 'approved-by-the-governing-body' CPE platform, and for over two dozen corporate professional certifications, that is the Illumeo platform. Go to Illumeo dot com to learn more...