Best-in-Class Internal Controls: Best Practices for Finance Professionals
Overview
Strong internal controls are the foundation of financial integrity and operational efficiency. In this interactive two-hour session, finance professionals will explore best-in-class internal control frameworks and leading practices to mitigate risks, enhance compliance, and improve organizational performance. Participants will gain insights into designing, implementing, and monitoring internal controls that align with regulatory expectations and industry standards. This course will provide real-world examples and practical strategies to strengthen controls in key financial processes, ensuring a culture of accountability and transparency.
Highlights
- Define and explore the basic concepts, myths and facts of internal controls
- Examine typical control types
- Identify why controls fail
- Identify a framework to develop the right balance of internal controls
- Discuss Internal Controls in the Digital Age
- Examine the variances and considerations of automated vs. manual controls
- Evaluate the concept of IT controls
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of internal controls and financial processes
Designed For
Accountants, Finance, Operational Professionals
Objectives
- Identify key principles of effective internal controls and risk management
- Evaluate best practices for implementing internal controls in financial operations
- Assess internal control frameworks, including COSO and other industry standards
- Develop strategies to enhance monitoring, documentation, and reporting of controls
Preparation
None
Notice
This course is offered by a 3rd party vendor and will not be accessible in the My CPE Tracker section of the ISCPA website. Course access information will be emailed directly to you by Accounting Continuing Professional Education Network (ACPEN).
Leader(s):
Leader Bios
Lynn Fountain, Lynn A Fountain
Lynn Fountain has over 40 years of experience spanning public accounting, corporate accounting and consulting. 20 years of her experience has been working in the areas of internal and external auditing. She is a subject matter expert in multiple fields including internal audit, ethics, fraud evaluations, Sarbanes-Oxley, enterprise risk management, governance, financial management and compliance. Lynn has held two Chief Audit Executive (CAE) positions for international companies. In one of her roles as CAE, she assisted in the investigation of a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme perpetrated by a vendor that spanned 7 years and implicated 20 employees. The fraud was formally investigated by the FBI and resulted in five indictments amounting to close to a $13 million fraud loss. Lynn is currently engaged in her own consulting and training practice. She has assisted numerous companies with enterprise risk management frameworks, internal audit processes and financial accounting. She is a highly sought after speaker and has trained internationally. In addition to her personal training, she also serves as a discussion leader for the AICPA for numerous classes. Lynn is the author of three separate technical books released in 2015, The first entitled “Raise the Red Flag – The Internal Auditors Guide to Fraud Evaluations”, published by the Institute of Internal Auditors Research Foundation and released in April 2015. Her second book “Leading The Internal Audit Function” was released in October 2015 by Taylor & Francis Publications. This book serves as the initial launch for a series of leading practice internal audit and information technology publications. In addition, her third book “Ethics and the Internal Auditor’s Dilemma” was released in December 2016. Ms. Fountain obtained her BSBA from Pittsburg State University and her MBA from Washburn University in Kansas. She has her CGMA, CRMA credentials and CPA certificate.
Non-Member Price $115.00
Member Price $85.00