What Document Control System Is Most Effective?

by Chris Anderson / on February 19, 2018 / in Automate Policy Management

If your company is like most, you’re storing your policies and procedures on a file server. Perhaps your working drafts are in one folder, approved versions are in another folder, and previous versions are archived in yet another folder. Some companies will create folders for the different clauses of ISO 9001 or arrange documents according to functional areas or departments. A lot of these companies aren’t even practicing the most basic security techniques, like limiting “read-write” privileges to a select few. Furthermore, how can you use a document control system to manage your policies and procedures? Continue reading…

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What Are Internal Controls for Cash Security?

by Chris Anderson / on January 22, 2018 / in Tighten Accounting Controls

We all hope our co-workers and employees are honest, and they probably are. Yet, improper cash control, poor cash practices, and weak cash security can tempt people who are basically honest. Think about parking at the local mall. You always roll up your windows and lock your car to protect your possessions, especially if you made some purchases at an earlier stop. Most of the people who walk by your car at the mall are honest, yet you don’t want to tempt them by making it easy to take something that doesn’t belong to them. What are some internal controls for cash? Continue reading…

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How to Reduce Document Control Mistakes with Document Control Software

by Chris Anderson / on June 12, 2017 / in Improve Business Processes

There are many document control mistakes your company can make if not using document control software, but first off what is document control? Document control is required in order for a Quality Management System to be compliant with ISO 9001. The same is true for other standards, guidelines, and regulations — the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) , the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL), Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), and many other laws and guidelines require that you have control over your documentation. Continue reading…

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How to Improve Process Control with Six Sigma Tools

by Chris Anderson / on January 17, 2017 / in Improve Business Processes

Aiming for perfection is a pretty lofty concept. It’s definitely not easy, especially when you’re speaking of core business processes. Moving toward perfection requires measurement, analysis, and documentation. If you really want perfection, or the closest thing to it, you need sophisticated tools, like Six Sigma tools. But…is driving toward perfection worth the effort? Continue reading…

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Static Versus Dynamic Control

by Chris Anderson / on June 12, 2015 / in Tighten Accounting Controls

Can you really have compliance without control? You can check the box that a business procedures exists but a procedure requirement is not about existence it is about deployment and usage. When we are speaking of control, there are really two different control conditions: static versus dynamic. What does static versus dynamic mean in terms of policy control and procedure systems? Continue reading…

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How a Financial Control System Gets Results

by Chris Anderson / on April 4, 2015 / in Tighten Accounting Controls

With the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX), finance and accounting departments have scrambled to put in place internal control systems as required by SOX section 404. Compliance with SOX and SEC regulations are certainly good reasons for companies to create a financial control system.

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Do You Know What Types of Processes Exhibit Control?

by Chris Anderson / on April 6, 2014 / in Tighten Accounting Controls

What is the purpose of a procedure? To decrease variability? To ensure product and process consistency? Well, as you decrease process variability, you increase process control. Management needs control: management control, process control, internal controls, and controlled outputs. Policies and procedures help provide controls that management wants and that regulators or auditors demand. Control is also a crucial element of corporate governance. Do you know the three types of processes that exhibit control? Continue reading…

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Do You Have Proper Cash Flow Control Procedures?

by Chris Anderson / on January 31, 2014 / in Solve Business Problems

The are four key cash flow control procedure areas in which you can save $250,000 each — for a total of $1,000,000. How cash flows through these areas makes up the Cash to Cash Cycle. Continue reading…

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Do Your Accounting Procedures Drive Internal Control?

by Chris Anderson / on December 22, 2013 / in Tighten Accounting Controls

Everywhere in your organization people are carrying out business processes to make things happen. This obviously includes the accounting department. We know from COSO and Sarbanes Oxley compliance that accounting procedures are an important element of your internal controls. Organizations spend a lot of effort to produce an accounting manual containing accounting policies and procedures. So, if you are going to produce an accounting manual with accounting policies and accounting procedures, how can you make the most of the effort you put into them? Continue reading…

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Why Is an Effective Internal Control System Crucial for Success?

by Steve Flick / on December 6, 2013 / in Strengthen Your Financials

According to the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), an effective internal control system helps ensure that our organizational processes are functioning properly, that our financial information is reliable, and that we’re in compliance with applicable regulations. Businesses primarily implement an internal control system to protect themselves from internal fraud and abuse, while many do so with regulatory or standards compliance in mind. Continue reading…

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