BF_GRC FINANCE LINK Penton Media August 6, 2009 If you want to view this on the web go to: http://enews.penton.com/enews/businessfinance/v/207 ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISEMENT Your Key to Improving Quality and Profitability Learn in-demand Six Sigma and Lean methodologies to improve quality and enhance outcomes by earning your Master Certificate in Six Sigma-Financial Services from Villanova University -- 100% online. Don't delay -- start today and save $945! http://clk.atdmt.com/BED/go/166781886/direct/01/ ---------------------------------------- TODAY'S ALERTS --Digging into System Access Risks In this interview, Courion Vice President Kurt Johnson explains the system access risks that exist when companies do not turn off past employees' user accounts. To view the full article go to: http://bigfatfinanceblog.com/2009/07/29/digging-into-system-access-risks/ --Financial Watchdog Says Fraud on the Rise Difficult economic times can be the breeding ground for increased fraudulent activities. According to a new report from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), there was a double-digit increase in the percentage of suspicious activity reports (SARs) filed from 2007 to 2008 in all of the fraud categories FinCEN examined. Some of the suspicious activities to watch out for include transactions being conducted in bursts of activities within a short period of time, especially in previously dormant accounts, and unusual mixed deposits of money orders, third party checks, payroll checks, etc., into a business account. To view the full article go to: http://bigfatfinanceblog.com/2009/07/27/look-out-for-suspicious-activities/ --Four Questions -- and Smart Guidance -- on Internal Controls Management teams looking to strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of their internal controls frameworks should ask themselves four important questions. To view the full article go to: http://bigfatfinanceblog.com/2009/07/24/four-questions-and-smart-guidance-on-internal-controls/ --Public Policy Experience Benefits Boards Government relations is an important part of JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s governance strategy, and while the company's work in the area may stand out within its industry, a new report on board composition suggests that public policy expertise -- and experience -- represents an increasingly sought-after directorship competency. To view the full article go to: http://bigfatfinanceblog.com/2009/07/22/governance-and-government/ --Companies Must Balance Internal Controls and Business Needs As companies fight through this economic crisis, they need to keep in mind how important it is to strike a balance between business needs and effective and efficient internal controls. It takes vigilance and commitment to balance strategy, customer service, profitability, risk management, productivity, cost control, and employee empowerment. Inflexible business models and processes, such as those at General Motors, combined with cost-cutting that adversely impacts internal controls can come back to haunt companies. To view the full article go to: http://bigfatfinanceblog.com/2009/07/17/controls-and-economic-turbulence/ --Directorship Selection Risks: There's Only One Choice Although the typical executive search process is rigorous, involving extensive interviews (not to mention psychological screenings, exhaustive background scrutiny, and reference checks) with three, five, or even more final candidates, the search for a member of the board of directors is relatively easy -- most nominating committees are presented with only one candidate. To view the full article go to: http://bigfatfinanceblog.com/2009/07/21/directorship-selection-risks-theres-only-one/ --Full Disclosure: FCPA in the Ascendant The number of businesses snared by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act will likely rise again this year. Will your company be one of them? To view the full article go to: http://bigfatfinanceblog.com/2009/08/05/a-growing-demand-for-fcpa-awareness-and-compliance/ --Performance Management: Not as Scary as It Sounds Does the idea of taking on a performance management project intimidate you? Never fear. Read Ventana Research's white paper "The Right View of Performance Management: Reasonable scope, incremental change and dashboards provide tangible benefits" in the BPM Resource Center (http://resources.bpmmag.net/index.html?action=viewSponsors&sponsorID=11&userID=2349) to alleviate your worry. To view the full article go to: http://resources.bpmmag.net/index.html?action=viewSponsors&sponsorID=11&userID=2349 --BPM Summit Presentation: Why Go Beyond Lean Six Sigma and the Balanced Scorecard? The 6th Annual BPM Summit brought together some of the business world's foremost practitioners to explore the transformational role of finance in the enterprise. If you missed the live event, you can still enjoy access to the audio and slide shows from the keynote presentations at our on-demand archive. To view the full article go to: http://bpmmag.net/summit/2008/ ---------------------------------------- University Alliance (http://clk.atdmt.com/BED/go/166781886/direct/01/) ---------------------------------------- Webcasts ---------------------------------------- Unlocking Liquidity: How to Effectively Implement Supply Chain Financing http://w.on24.com/r.htm?e=153501&s=1&k=7B93AF5C584300E5B163379DB0A2E160&partnerref=newsletter Creating a Competitive Edge with Planning and Analysis: Leveraging SAP BusinessObjects Planning and Consolidation http://w.on24.com/r.htm?e=151155&s=1&k=23901B5D394A1348DD11E3B1ACF70FDD&partnerref=newsletter IFRS Transition Management -- What you need to know before you start http://w.on24.com/r.htm?e=146336&s=1&k=6A9889DDCC05958A674E5B4F464FBF74&partnerref=newsletter ---------------------------------------- Video ---------------------------------------- Managing Risk in Uncertain Times Henry Ristuccia, Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP, discusses how companies missed the critical risk factors leading up to the banking crisis. http://businessfinancemag.com/video/managing-risk-uncertain-times-0630 ---------------------------------------- In this Issue ---------------------------------------- Business Finance magazine now FREE to qualified subscribers. 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