Overview:
The Sarbanes-Oxley era has put spreadsheet integrity squarely in auditors' sights. And whether it's due to a lack of time or a lack of formal training, the fact remains that sloppy spreadsheet practices abound in the modern workplace. This targeted seminar will enable you to:
- Design and develop effective spreadsheets
- Assess the requirements/scope of your spreadsheet project
- Design controls that meet SOX requirements and ensure data integrity and security
- Develop documentation habits that enhance usability
- Ensure spreadsheet flexibility and functionality
Objective:
To help financial professionals to develop a consistent approach to spreadsheet development and management. You will acquire new tools to control and document spreadsheet driven business processes and you will learn how to build and manage data-correct spreadsheets that increase business decision-making confidence.
Emphasis:
- Common denominators in spreadsheet weaknesses
- Defining requirements: what does the spreadsheet really need to do?
- The Best Practice Modeling Standard
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Installing controls
– Required field
– Use/design of templates - Meeting SOX requirements
- Quality assurance procedures
- Documentation of assumptions
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Third-party software
– Avoiding a false sense of security around results
– Testing assumptions: in requirements, in data and in output -
Flexible design practices
– Reduce duplication
– Enhance version control
– Decrease manual operations - Creating spreadsheets that will pass muster with internal and external auditors
