Policymakers and program managers are continually seeking ways to improve accountability in achieving an entity's mission. A key factor in improving accountability in achieving an entity's mission is to implement an effective internal control system. An effective internal control system helps an entity adapt to shifting environments, evolving demands, changing risks, and new priorities. As programs change and entities strive to improve operational processes and implement new technology, management continually evaluates its internal control system so that it is effective and updated when necessary. Section 3512 (c) and (d) of Title 31 of the United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA)) requires the Comptroller General to issue standards for internal control in the federal government.

Audits provide essential accountability and transparency over government programs. Given the current challenges facing governments and their programs, the oversight provided through auditing is more critical than ever. Government auditing provides the objective analysis and information needed to make the decisions necessary to help create a better future. The professional standards presented in this 2018 revision of Government Auditing Standards (known as the Yellow Book) provide a framework for performing high-quality audit work with competence, integrity, objectivity, and independence to provide accountability and to help improve government operations and services. These standards, commonly referred to as generally accepted government auditing standards (GAGAS), provide the foundation for government auditors to lead by example in the areas of independence, transparency, accountability, and quality through the audit process. This revision contains major changes from, and supersedes, the 2011 revision.

The Basics of IT Audit: Purposes, Processes, and Practical Information provides you with a thorough, yet concise overview of IT auditing. Packed with specific examples, this book gives insight into the auditing process and explains regulations and standards such as the ISO-27000, series program, CoBIT, ITIL, Sarbanes-Oxley, and HIPPA. IT auditing occurs in some form in virtually every organization, private or public, large or small. The large number and wide variety of laws, regulations, policies, and industry standards that call for IT auditing make it hard for organizations to consistently and effectively prepare for, conduct, and respond to the results of audits, or to comply with audit requirements. This guide provides you with all the necessary information if you're preparing for an IT audit, participating in an IT audit or responding to an IT audit. - Provides a concise treatment of IT auditing, allowing you to prepare for, participate in, and respond to the results - Discusses the pros and cons of doing internal and external IT audits, including the benefits and potential drawbacks of each - Covers the basics of complex regulations and standards, such as Sarbanes-Oxley, SEC (public companies), HIPAA, and FFIEC - Includes most methods and frameworks, including GAAS, COSO, COBIT, ITIL, ISO (27000), and FISCAM

FISCAM presents a methodology for performing info. system (IS) control audits of governmental entities in accordance with professional standards. FISCAM is designed to be used on financial and performance audits and attestation engagements. The methodology in the FISCAM incorp. the following: (1) A top-down, risk-based approach that considers materiality and significance in determining audit procedures; (2) Evaluation of entitywide controls and their effect on audit risk; (3) Evaluation of general controls and their pervasive impact on bus. process controls; (4) Evaluation of security mgmt. at all levels; (5) Control hierarchy to evaluate IS control weaknesses; (6) Groupings of control categories consistent with the nature of the risk. Illus.

Based on a study covering a one-year financial reporting cycle at a commercial subsidiary of a well-known scientific research organization, Inside Accounting examines how accountants and non-accounting managers construct their company's earnings. Addressing issues in both internal management accounting, such as budgeting, performance evaluation, and control, as well as external financial accounting, such as book keeping, monthly/year end accounts and auditing, David Leung focuses on how people classify transactions, make professional judgments and use computer software for accounting, and prepare for and facilitate the auditing process. He also looks at accountancy training and the impact of people's affiliations to the accounting profession or other professions on their accounting and on their perceptions of financial statements. Other contingent or contextual factors that influence the choice of accounting method, such as time pressure, reward structures, management authority and institutions are also considered. David Leung's research employs an innovative blend of theory and practice that redresses the imbalance between ethnographic studies of financial accounting, and management accounting and helps close the gap between the academic curriculum and the experiences of practitioners. His research leads the author to conclude that no act of accounting classification is ever indefeasibly correct; that the accounting community's institutions and authority are central to the accounting process and to the 'truth and fairness' of accounting numbers; that accounting training involves extensive use of learning by doing; and that both accountants and non-accounting managers have goals and interests that often result in no better than 'good enough' accounting. This book will appeal to accounting and finance professionals and academics in finance, as well as to sociologists and academic researchers interested in research methods and science studies.

Federal financial reporting should assist in fulfilling the government's duty to be publicly accountable for moneys raised from the public and for their expenditure in accordance with applicable laws that establish the budget and other related laws and regulations. As a means to help achieve this objective, beginning with fiscal year 1998, executive agencies subject to the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act of 1990, as expanded by the Government Management Reform Act of 1994, were each required to prepare and submit for audit a Statement of Budgetary Resources (SBR) in addition to the other required financial statements.