Internal Audit Reports Post Sarbanes-Oxley: A Guide to Process-Driven Reporting (IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors) Series) [Hardcover]

Susan M. Switzer (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470050845 | ISBN-13: 978-0470050842 | Publication Date: January 29, 2007 | Edition: 1

Brimming with commonsense advice delivered in a conversational, easy-to-read style, Internal Audit Reports Post Sarbanes-Oxley: A Guide to Process-Driven Reporting helps you transform raw data into useable information and then translate that information into actionable messages while complying with the SOX Act.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

In order to be effective and useful, internal audit reports—the primary mode of communication for auditors—need to be carefully organized, crisply written, and able to connect the financial dots in order to relate specialized chunks of information to each other, to any potential risk, and to the company's overall operations and governance. Now, in the wake of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, audit reports are more important than ever. Internal Audit Reports Post Sarbanes-Oxley: A Guide to Process-Driven Reporting provides internal auditors, executives, audit committee members, accounting professors, and students with value-added, up-to-the-minute methods for establishing effective internal audit report processes.

This authoritative guide for creating effective, process-based internal audit reports focuses on the best practices for proficiently communicating what is observed during the audit process and includes:

• An abundance of handy checklists,samples, examples, templates, exercises, and other useable chunks of "instant information"
• Plain-language advice on applying process thinking to report writing
• A helpful review of the basic grammar and punctuation most likely to be used by internal auditors
• Practical tips for non-native English speakers on "American business" usage, including best practices regarding grammatical correctness
• Coverage of the various professional standards—from IIA and PCAOB standards to principles of readability—that need to be considered in saying what needs to be said
• Discussion of advances in information technology (IT)—both the pluses and the minuses—including "New Rules and New Tools" in audit reporting
• Coverage of worldwide internal audit reporting, including setting the right tone for diverse readers, analyzing the needs of multiple audiences, and writing about varied currencies
• "Perspectives" sections with discussions on what is different since Sarbanes-Oxley as well as advice about what works and what doesn't from audit professionals representing a variety of industries

Compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has made articulate financial reporting a necessity. Internal Audit Reports Post Sarbanes-Oxley: A Guide to Process-Driven Reporting helps auditors acquire the essential skills for producing meaningful internal audit reports, in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

From the Back Cover

Praise for Internal Audit Reports Post Sarbanes-Oxley:A Guide to Process-Driven Reporting

"In a post-SOX era, internal audit plays a key role in helping CEOs and CFOs to assess internal controls over financial reporting. Effective communication, by way of issuing clear, crisp, and timely internal audit reports, is essential to the speedy remedy of any deficiencies representing high risk for the corporation. This book serves as a tool box to improve such written communication from internal audit."
—Stephane Girard, former director, Internal Audit, Schlumberger Limited

"This is a cutting-edge book that should be of interest to anyone associated with the internal auditing profession. The book focuses on post-SOX issues as they relate to report writing and emphasizes the critical importance of written communication in the corporate world. The author's unique process-oriented approach makes for a practical and readable end product that should prove beneficial to a wide audience of accounting practitioners."
—Dr. Richard G. Brody, CPA, CFE, Associate Professor of Accounting, Anderson Schools of Management, University of New Mexico

"Internal Audit Reports Post Sarbanes-Oxley offers a broad array of practical tools and techniques to make internal audit communications effective in the world of global business. By using these techniques in their reports, e-mails, and phone conversations, internal auditors can connect the dots for audit committees and financial executives—and transform information into knowledge."
—Ted Senko, Global Leader of Internal Audit Services, KPMG

"Written with humor, energy, and clarity, I hear her message on each page. This will be a valuable tool to all auditors, and others, who write financial reports."
—Nicholas J.S. Causton, Manager, Financial Training, Schlumberger LTD

Internal auditors are the front-line financial reporters for most companies. Now, in addition to logging their findings and making recommendations, they are required to link their findings directly to potential risks and accountability issues in accordance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Brimming with commonsense advice delivered in a conversational, easy-to-read style, Internal Audit Reports Post Sarbanes-Oxley: A Guide to Process-Driven Reporting helps internal auditors and financial managers to transform raw data into useable information and to then translate that information into actionable messages while complying with SOX.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (January 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470050845
• ISBN-13: 978-0470050842
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,595,692 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource, January 31, 2007

By 

Camilla McLaughlin (Salt Lake City, UT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Internal Audit Reports Post Sarbanes-Oxley: A Guide to Process-Driven Reporting (IIA (Institute of Internal Auditors) Series) (Hardcover)

This isn't another arcane tome on the audit process. Nor is it a one time read. Rather this book is destined to set a gold standard for the industry, making audit report writing a process driven, easy-to-understand practice. The best testimony to Switzer's process oriented approach is the straightforward way she maps the progression from raw information to a cohesive report. Her conversational tone, lighthearted comments and real world examples make it an easy read. Like the best audit reports this book is reader friendly, but don't underestimate its potential. More than just a theoretical explanation, it gets down to the nuts and bolts of report writing, covering all the "how to's" from grammar usage to paragraph construction. Anyone who is involved with the audit process will find that it is an indispensable resource. I think this is a great book.