Making Sure You’re SOX Compliant

Published on: 13 November 2021 Last Updated on: 18 January 2025

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) is a federal law established in 2002 to combat corporate fraud. The act requires public companies, private companies with more than 500 employees, and bank holding companies to maintain adequate internal control systems. If you are one of these organizations, then this blog post will go over the SOX requirements to help you become SOX compliant!

What is SOX Compliance?

SOX compliance is a set of regulations created to protect investors and the financial markets from fraudulent activities. The act requires organizations listed above to test their internal controls through an independent third party, such as AICPA or COSO. In addition, they must document all findings in detail and implement changes that will correct any deficiencies.

The Four Areas of Compliance Are:

Financial reporting (SOX 404)– This section requires businesses to have adequate internal financial controls.
Internal control structure (SOX 302)– This area ensures your business has procedures and documentation for employees responsible for recording transactions, processing payments, and monitoring risk.
Compliance with laws/regulations (SOX 404)– SOX compliance provides a set of procedures to help monitor compliance with laws and regulations.
Internal audit function (SOX 404)– This area ensures your business has an internal auditing system in place that reviews financial transactions, lines of authority, IT security controls, physical access, etc.

Why it’s Important to be Compliant

The consequences for failing to become compliant with SOX can be serious. Not only can your organization face fines and penalties up to USD 15 million, but you might even cause a financial crisis in the market! The SEC has increased their monitoring of companies required to comply with these regulations and will take immediate action when they see any signs of misconduct.

How to Stay Compliant

There are five ways that you can maintain compliance with SOX. You must have a clear understanding of the risks facing your organization, establish internal controls to minimize those risks, create an environment for open communication between management and employees, avoid conflicts of interest within the company, and finally document all policies following these rules.

If you need help making sure you’re SOX compliant, then don’t hesitate to contact our compliance experts!

Tools for Staying Compliant

If you are looking for a way to simplify being SOX compliant, hire experts to help you. You can find a wide range of companies specializing in SOX compliance, and they will save you from having to deal with headaches. In addition, most experts can help you meet all your deadlines for each stage of the audit process!

Resources for Staying Compliant

The SEC has an excellent FAQ section that will give you the answers to any questions about SOX compliance and what it means for your organization. The COSO ERM Framework is another great tool that can be used by managers who want a better understanding of how to create an efficient company.

Ensuring that your company is SOX compliant can seem like more than you want to take on, but it’s not as difficult or overwhelming as some might make it out to be. If you are having trouble understanding the requirements of this legislation, talk with us about how our team can help. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience in dealing with complex compliance issues for small businesses just like yours!

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Must-Have Accessories For The Modern Businessman

The tech revolution has brought with it a revolution in business dress codes. No longer does a tailored suit necessarily signify competence. In fact, were your tech guru to turn up in a shirt, tie and suit you’d probably feel very anxious that this person wasn’t the real deal. That said, that's ok in a Silicon Valley boardroom won’t necessarily go down well in the office of a New York financial advisor. The old dictum that ‘The more you deal with a client’s money, the more conservatively you should be dressed, ’still carries some weight. Dress codes are crucial, they are subtle, shifting communicators. Get them right and your client will feel confident in your competence, get them wrong and an impeccable pitch may leave your client with niggling doubts. Accessories are an important part of your appearance and the impression that you make: they have a practical function but are also objects which signify style and quality and reassure your client that you are successful and have good judgment. Times change and our times change fast and that’s why a touch of tradition is so reassuring. So, here’s a mix of old and new which will serve you well. An understated watch of quality It’s old fashioned technology, but so is the wheel. You’ve got the time on your phone and your tablet, but a watch remains the most convenient way to track time and when you are running to a tight schedule it is a crucial accessory. It is of course far more than a practical tool, it’s a stylish and attractive adornment. The simpler the better, a slim body and a clean face, uncluttered by knobs and dials. A diver’s watch is great for divers but not for the boardroom. A watch can also signify affluence, if you are wearing a Rolex, it is a clear indicator of both taste and affluence. That doesn’t mean that you need to spend thousands on a wristwatch, there plenty of great stylish watches out there for under $200 such as the Daniel Wellington Classic Cornwall or the Skagen Ancher. A Quality Pen There will be times when a pen is required and when an important document is being signed how could you possibly use anything other than a quality pen. A fountain pen is a wonderful thing but it’s for personal use and there’s always the risk of ink where you don’t want it, so a quality ball pen is an obvious choice. The Montblanc is unquestionably the Rolls Royce of pens but there are plenty of other pens which are pleasing to look at and a pleasure to use. Understated cuff links and a leather belt Details matter and although these accessories may only be glimpsed by your client, they speak volumes about your style and good taste. A Leather Bag The rise of veganism might persuade you that you should opt for some alternative fabric but if you are concerned about the environment then a leather bag, which will last a lifetime, is a better choice than synthetic material, full of toxic chemicals, which will need replacing in a few years. A leather bag is a thing of beauty and a practical and reliable accessory. A briefcase is unwieldy and outmoded, much better to go for something which allows you to be hands-free, such as the Messenger bags or Satchels from MAHI, both of which are big enough to take your laptop, electronics accessories and paperwork. A satchel or messenger bag also works well as a weekend bag or cabin bag, so they are great for those short notice trips. A Business Card Remember that scene from ‘American Psycho’ where the Christian Bale character reveals his new super stylish business card? Well despite a world of cyber-everything here’s a traditional business accessory that still has its place. A stylish small card is more memorable than a note on a phone or an email. There’s an important moment of human interaction when you hand that card over and the fact that it’s a physical experience makes it more memorable. Do not produce your card from the depths of some scatty, stuffed billfold but from a slim leather wallet. A Lint Roller Your presentation was outstanding, but all your client noticed were the fibers on your suit. A lint roller tucked away in that Messenger bag means that you can give yourself a quick once over and feel confident that you are spick and span. Dopp Kit In a global marketplace, travel has become part of a businessman’s working life. Trips abroad are often short and at short notice, so you need to be ready to travel at any time. A Dopp kit which you keep packed and ready to go means that you’ve only got one object to remember, instead of arriving at your hotel to discover that you haven’t packed a razor. A Dopp kit enables you to keep all your toiletries in one place and is a compact and convenient storage accessory. Electronics Organiser It’s undignified and unprofessional to be seen to be scrabbling about in your bag for a lead or a charger while everyone waits for your presentation. Make sure that you know where everything is by storing it in an electronics organizer, that way you won’t leave anything behind, and you’ll know exactly where everything is. Portable Charger Flat batteries have put pay to many a promising presentation. Can you really be trusted with a client’s account if you can’t manage to charge your laptop? A portable charger can be used on the go and buys you invaluable peace of mind. Compact Smart Projector Problem with the projector? Be the one who’s prepared and pick up instant brownie points by plucking a compact smart projector from your bag. It’ll interface with your phone or tablet and project straight onto a blank wall. New tech, which you know how to use, and which solves a problem neatly is a great way to convince clients that they are in safe hands. Read Also: Components Of A Successful Business Function Tips To Hiring Accounting Firms Rochester NY For Your Business

Ways to take the employee appreciation to next level in your company

There are countless small things that can be done to show your employees that they are appreciated. Setting your company apart from the next starts with the work ethic and loyalty of your employees. Hard-working and motivated employees are very productive. And as well all know, increased productivity leads to an increase in revenue over time. Employees flock to companies with reputations of a good work environment and employee appreciation. The best attracts the best if your employees are treated like the best that is how they will perform. Employee appreciation reigns supreme in the realm of productivity and its time for companies to step it up. Here are some ways to take the employee appreciation to the next level. Flexible Schedules : When your team members are willing to go the extra mile for their colleagues time and time again, it is important to let them know that it does not go unnoticed. A really positive way to encourage employees to put forth their best work is allowing flexible schedules. Acknowledging the difficulty of orchestrating all of the components of life along with work is a great way to relieve some stress and recognize ambitious employees. A flexible schedule is not the same as allowing the employees to control every aspect of their schedule. However, it is a step above having employee schedules being completely dictated by the company. Having slight aspects of flexibility when team members have something come up can go a long way. When employees feel respected as people with busy lives outside of work, they will be far more motivated to go above and beyond in the office. Communication : Communicating with your team and making an effort to understand them is one of the most vital steps on the road to success. Society has created a group of professionals who communicate largely through email and text messaging. While these communication mediums are wonderful and have bridged the communications gap in many ways, a lot of sincerity and authenticity can be lost when a message is typed instead of spoken. Take time to communicate face-to-face with your team members as often as you can. Not only encourage them to do well but get to know them as people. When teams form strong connections their ability to work together increases exponentially. If you find yourself wondering what the best way to show your appreciation to a particularly hard-working employee, communicate with them. Ask them the ways in which they would like to be recognized for their hard work. Not only will this method of appreciation be a sure-fire way to show the employee how well they are doing, but they will feel respected and valued for being given the opportunity to choose their appreciation method. Team Retreats : Whether a team is treated to a simple luncheon or a weekend spent away from the office with their toes in the sand, they will return feeling revitalized, motivated and appreciated. Having small goals like retreats to work towards boosts overall happiness within the company as well as work ethic. It is no secret that working becomes easier when there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Team retreats can also be a great way to build stronger relationships among colleagues. It is important for employees to feel connected to the company as a whole and appreciated by their peers. Feeling appreciated by everyone you work with and not just the boss can really boost employee morale and make productivity soar. Bonuses : Bonuses are no new-fangled recognition tactic. Employees have been receiving holiday bonuses and such for years. But, as they say, if it’s not broken don’t fix it. Bonuses are still a flawless way to show your employees they are valuable to the company. Bonuses can be given in the name of hard work. When an employee does exemplary work that goes beyond their job description- they should be rewarded for that. If employees know the extra work they are doing is noticed and, most important, appreciated, they are going to be so much more willing to continue with that standard of work. Advanced Training Seminars : Employees that are capable are confident. In any given profession there is always room to improve and there are always new skills to master. By offering additional training throughout your employees’ career you show them that the skills and resources that they possess are valuable to the company. It is in your best interest to hone those skills and show your employees that their confidence and their performance are important to the company. Fostering growth and improvement among your employees is one of the easiest ways to show appreciation. Furthermore, training will greatly benefit the company as a whole by producing able and motivated employees. Not every sign of appreciation has to be huge; there are countless small gestures you can make as well. However, companies will benefit greatly by really bringing their employee appreciation up to the next level. Read Also : Finding The Right Moving Company Fred Loya Insurance Company Role Of Messaging Apps In Enhancing A Company’s Market Prospects Guide To Choose An Authentic Plumber Service Company

What Are the Benefits of Using Change Data Capture (CDC)?

Do you need a more effective way to track changes to your business database? You can easily do this with the use of change data capture (CDC). CDC is a useful tool for businesses using databases across a wide area network. Using one of four methods, you can easily become aware of any changes made to your database. Typically, this process is resource-intensive and takes a long time to complete. There are several great benefits to using CDC, which includes enabling analytics on data in motion. This is a critical function because it allows you to make decisions based on the most relevant data available. Let’s take a look at a few other advantages of the CDC so you can see if it will help your business. Benefits of Using Change Data Capture: All Changes Are Accurately Identified The first benefit of the CDC is that all changes are accurately identified. If you’re considering using CDC, then this is likely your primary objective. Understanding what has changed within your database is essential to know what is different. CDC is excellent for this because it functions solely to identify changes. Knowing that something is different is one thing, but knowing precisely what has changed is critical. When you understand the changes that have been made, you can critically analyze this data. Old information will never be as useful or relevant as your most recent changes. Understanding this, you need a technique for streamlining the acquisition of changes made. Manually searching for changes is tedious and leaves room for error. Using the CDC, you can quickly and accurately see the changes that have been made. Greater Business Analysis and Decision Making With the most relevant data available, it allows for greater business analysis and decision making. Business analysis is imperative if you want to understand the trends of your operations. The data you process can indicate when something isn’t working and needs to be changed. Furthermore, conducting business analysis will improve your ability to grow and become more efficient. If you can complete the same tasks at a quicker pace, it saves you precious time and money. From your business analysis, you can then better craft your decisions. As you likely know, solid decision making has a direct impact on how successful you are. Because of this, you need data to back up your decisions. With the use of Change Data Capture, you’ll have the most useful data available to digest and make decisions with. Undisturbed Production Workflow Another amazing perk of implementing the CDC is an undisturbed production workflow. When you need to analyze the changes of information in your database, it holds up everything that you need to do. This process can be quite time-consuming and will delay more important work. The problem with tracking changes without CDC is that you don’t have real-time insight. This means that any changes you come across will be from a few days ago and may no longer be relevant. When you do use CDC, there’s no need to stop what you’re doing and investigate for changes. All of your updates are easily accessible and production can continue to flow. Lower Data Transfer Costs The last benefit of using the CDC is lower data transfer costs. Depending on the size and reach of your business, you may be accessing data from across the country. This can get expensive, especially when you’re working with a large volume of data. You’re likely using a wide area network to do this. If you were to transfer data across your wide area network without Change Data Capture, then you’re likely working with a lot of unnecessary data. This translates to paying for data transfer that you don’t need. CDC simplifies this by only transferring data incrementally. More specifically, the CDC will only move the changes that you make. This means that only critical information is being transferred, which allows you to pay for exactly what you need and nothing more. Even if you don’t need CDC for the other benefits, a lower wide area network cost may be worth it by itself. Closing Thoughts If you need an effective way of tracking changes made to your database, then change data capture (CDC) is the answer that you’re looking for! This technology simplifies the process of keeping tabs on new data and provides several great benefits. This includes accurate identification of changes, better business analysis and decision making, undisturbed production workflows, and a cheaper data transfer cost. Should any of these advantages be useful to you, then find a great Change Data Capture delivery method that works for you! There’s no need for change tracking to be difficult. Use CDC for live insights into your business that aren’t achievable in any other way! Featured Image Read Also: Best Deleted photos recovery Apps for Android

Making Sure You’re SOX Compliant

What is SOX Compliance?

The Four Areas of Compliance Are:

Why it’s Important to be Compliant

How to Stay Compliant

Tools for Staying Compliant

Resources for Staying Compliant

Lucrative Business Ideas to start Near Water Bodies

Choosing The Best Lifting Gantry For Your Factory Needs

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

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Related

Must-Have Accessories For The Modern Businessman

Ways to take the employee appreciation to next level in your company

What Are the Benefits of Using Change Data Capture (CDC)?

Making Sure You’re SOX Compliant

What is SOX Compliance?

The Four Areas of Compliance Are:

Why it’s Important to be Compliant

How to Stay Compliant

Tools for Staying Compliant

Resources for Staying Compliant

Share this Article

Lucrative Business Ideas to start Near Water Bodies

Choosing The Best Lifting Gantry For Your Factory Needs

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

Leave a Reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related