Accounting Control Best Practices, Second Edition Control systems are needed to ensure that a company's assets are used in the most productive manner and that they are not lost through fraudulent activities. However, an excessive use of controls can interfere with the efficient completion of activities within a company. Whether your company is in start-up mode, installing new systems, or simply dissatisfied with existing controls due to fraudulent losses, Accounting Control Best Practices, Second Edition is the reference handbook every accountant and systems analyst can use to ensure that their company has constructed a durable and efficient set of controls. This easy-to-use handbook clearly explains how to develop an effective system of accounting and operational controls and offers the best practices with pragmatic insights and proactive strategies to protect organizations from suffering further substantial losses of assets and reputation that occur from financial dishonesty within an organization. Author and renowned accounting expert Steven Bragg provides control flowcharts in every chapter for all major processes as well as a thorough set of corporate policies designed to support the system of controls. Now containing chapters on budgeting, collections, and acquisition integration, this valuable reference handbook offers essential information on control best practices for: Order entry, credit, and shipment Inventory management Billing Cash-handling Payroll Fixed assets Budgeting Financial reporting Just-in-time manufacturing Petty cash And many more Encompassing all of the major accounting and operational processes with nearly 500 controls presented in basic, intermediate, and advanced layers, from those needed for a very basic paper-based system, to computerized systems, to the use of advanced best practice enhancements in computerized systems, Accounting Control Best Practices, Second Edition is the only guidebook needed to devise a set of controls precisely tailored to every company's system.

ACCOUNTING BEST PRACTICES Seventh Edition Today's accounting staffs are called on to work magic: process transactions, write reports, improve efficiency, create new processes—all at the lowest possible cost, using an ever-shrinking proportion of total corporate expenses. Sound impossible? Not if your staff is using the best practices for accounting. Fully updated in a new edition, Accounting Best Practices, Seventh Edition draws from renowned accounting leader Steven Bragg's extensive experience in successfully developing, operating, and consulting various accounting departments. This invaluable resource has the at-your-fingertips information you need, whether you've been searching for ways to cut costs in your accounting department, or just want to offer more services without the added expense. The best practices featured in this excellent step-by-step manual constitute need-to-know information concerning the most advanced techniques and strategies for increasing productivity, reducing costs, and monitoring existing accounting systems. This new edition boasts over 400 best practices, with fifty new to this edition in the areas of taxation, finance, collections, general ledger, accounts payable, and billing. Now featuring a corresponding seven-minute podcast for each chapter found on the book's companion website, Accounting Best Practices is the perfect, do-it-yourself book for the manager who wants to significantly boost their accounting department.

Praise for Accounts Receivable Management BestPractices "An excellent reference tool on how to manage the accountsreceivable process for any company. The use of real-life examplesmakes the concepts easy to understand. I recommend the book toanyone who wants to improve cash flow and reduce bad debtloss." —Michael E. Beaulieu, Senior Vice President, Finance CardinalHealth "Rather than simply explaining how to get the greatest returnfrom an investment in accounts receivable, John G. Salek revealshow companies shoot themselves in the foot when management setspolicies and procedures without consideration of the impact on cashflow. Accounts Receivable Management Best Practices isn't just forcredit and collection professionals who often spend more timecleaning up process errors and other corporate 'garbage,' insteadof managing risk. It should be required reading for C-levelexecutives, the sales staff, operations managers, and anybody elsewhose job impacts the order-to-cash cycle." —David Schmidt, Principal, A2 Resources Coauthor of PowerCollecting: Automation for Effective Asset Management "Enhancing a company's competitive profile is all about givingenough customers the right product, at the right price, at theright time. This author's real-world approach to accomplishing thisgoal through the prism of receivables management makes this book amust-read for those companies looking to make their mark as anorganization that cares about its customers as well as their ownneed to produce financial results." —Bruce C. Lynn, Managing Director The Financial ExecutivesConsulting Group, LLC "I have worked with John Salek since 1992, both as his clientand as a project manager working with his organization. Hisknowledge of receivables management . . . the technology, theprocesses, and the formula for success . . . are unsurpassed in thefield." —Stephen L. Watts, Manager, Global Receivables (retired)General Electric Medical Systems "Mr. Salek has written a masterpiece on the intricacies andmanagement of the accounts receivable portfolio. I would recommendthis book to CFOs, controllers, treasurers, credit managers, andsmall business owners." —Steve Kozack, Credit Manager Lennox Hearth Products "Written by an author who has been in the trenches and citesactual examples. This is not written in theory, but frompractice." —Milt Dardis, Collection Consultant Dardis &Associates

This chapter from Governance, Risk, and Compliance Handbook, edited by Anthony Tarantino, provides an overview of best practices for financial internal controls. It covers COSO II guidance, automation of controls, and other primary considerations. It also discusses how to achieve ROI on compliance investments.

Praise for Management Accounting Best Practices "It doesn't matter where you start reading, even the most experienced accountant will find some useful ideas." —Alan H. Boycott, Chartered Accountant, Düsseldorf, Germany "This is one of the best books about new accounting practices in practical accounting. I highly recommend this book for accountants of all levels." —Andrei Ralko, Controller, International Center for Transitional Justice, New York, NY The only practices worth followingare the best practices... Destined to become an essential desktop tool in helping professionals make management decisions in accounting, Management Accounting Best Practices introduces over 100 best practices from accounting expert Steven Bragg for questions such as: How does the system of interlocking budgets work? What does a sample budget look like? What best practices can I apply to the budgeting process? How can I integrate the budget into the corporate control system? How do throughput concepts impact the budget? Now, when members of your management team come calling with questions, you'll have the answers at your fingertips, in Management Accounting Best Practices. It's the easy-to-use, daily reference manual for every accountant in a management position.

"Accounts Payable and Sarbanes-Oxley cements Mary Schaeffer's reputation as the premier authority on accounts payable. She provides great detail on all aspects of the payables systems needed to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley. A must for every controller's bookshelf!" —Steven Bragg, Premier Data Services "Mary Schaeffer has done it again! America's most accomplished accounts payable expert has written another authoritative and comprehensive work. This time she takes aim at internal controls and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act as they impact the payables function. Whether or not you are required to comply with the Act, this book will help you meet the challenges facing professionals who demand effective and efficient controls both now and in the future. This book is an enormous resource and blueprint for any financial professional." —Bob Lovallo, President, Pinpoint Profit Recovery Services, Inc. "There are many guides to complying with Sarbanes-Oxley yet this text is the first I have seen that provides accounts payable departments with a game plan, both from a mile-high and an in-the-trenches viewpoint. Even if you are not concerned with SOX, this guide provides the foundational control framework and best practices for any accounts payable department." —Richard B. Lanza, CPA/CITP, CFE, PMP, President, Cash Recovery Partners L.L.C "Mary Schaeffer's book provides clearly written guidance on the causes, consequences, and best practices for accounts payables internal controls. Every accounting, auditing, and information technology professional who deals with accounts payable will find some useful suggestions in this book." —Dr. Will Yancey, CPA, independent consultant "If you only read one book on the duties and responsibilities of the accounts payable representative-make it this one. Ms. Schaeffer is absolutely brilliant at explaining the impact the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will have on the organization and its accounts payable procedures. Whether you are a seasoned accounts payable representative or just new to the position, this book will help you to become firmly grounded in your ability to perform your role in the accounts payable department." —Jerry W. Michael, President, IRSCompliance.org The accounts payable blueprint to becoming Sarbanes-Oxley compliant The Sarbanes-Oxley Act provides a rigorous discipline that can be used by all organizations, regardless of whether they are publicly traded or not. Strong internal controls and segregation of duties should become a standard way of thinking rather than something required by law. Accounts Payable and Sarbanes-Oxley provides a comprehensive overview of the Act and lays out the necessary guidelines that affect accounts payable to ensure compliance in the accounts payable department.

Drawing on her many years as a consultant to numerous companies big and small, author Rose Hightower infuses Internal Controls Policies and Procedures with her wealth of experience and knowledge. Instead of reinventing the wheel, your company can use this useful how-to manual to quickly and effectively put a successful program of internal controls in place. Complete with flowcharts and checklists, this essential desktop reference is a best practices model for establishing and enhancing your organization's control framework. These manuals are favorites for organizations and companies that need a foundation and grounding to ensure an internal control posture of integrity, credibility, method, process and process: or a reminder of its importance. URLs were included when first published to encourage the dissemination and distribution of relevant chapters to those interested and in charge of the specific departments. Although times have changed, the principles professed are sound and solid for today’s accounting and business environment. Implementing these cornerstones will produce a principled manageable approach. These manuals can be used by accounting individuals, finance departments, sole proprietor businesses, large corporations, accounting / auditing students and any others interested in specific topics or general disciplines. The discipline for the oversight processes and procedures are important when introducing or implementing auditing practices whether in accounting or throughout the organization. These manuals should be used together to provide the basics when setting up a department or specific process discipline, for learning about the strengths, weaknesses and opportunities within the specific focus areas.