Optimizing IT Systems, Internal Controls, and Governance for Accountants

Overview

Explore the critical intersections between information technology (IT) systems, data management, and governance through this specialized CPE course for accounting professionals. This session covers everything from business resiliency and disaster recovery strategies to the key components of IT governance, risk management, and change management processes. Through interactive discussions and hands-on activities, participants will learn how to enhance their organization’s IT framework while ensuring robust data collection, storage, and lifecycle management. By the end of the course, you will be equipped to oversee IT systems with confidence, reinforcing data integrity and system availability.

Objectives

Explain internal control concepts within accounting information systems, drawing on frameworks such as COSO and COBIT, to ensure accuracy in financial reporting and protect against unauthorized access

Summarize key considerations for business resiliency, disaster recovery, continuity plans, system replication, impact analysis, and availability

Understand data management processes, including data collection methods, storage types (data warehouse, data lake, data mart), and the data life cycle

Explain the role of IT governance within an organization and describe key IT governance frameworks, including COBIT, ITIL, and ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002

Describe IT general controls and application controls

Discuss business process management and change management

Highlights

IT systems, internal controls, and data management

IT governance and risk management

Designed For

Experienced CPAs, CITP designation holders and aspirants, and accountants seeking a greater understanding of information systems and control

Prerequisites

None

Preparation

None

Notice

By registering for this program and, accordingly, receiving the eMaterials, you’re acknowledging that you understand both the copyright restrictions on your eMaterials and the CTCPA cancellation policy.

Fees

Credits

Level

Code

Vendor

Fields of Study

Leader(s):

Thomas Newell Jr.

Leader Bios

Thomas Newell Jr.

Thomas E. Newell, Jr., CPA Columbus, Georgia Thomas E. Newell, Jr. (Tom) is a shareholder in the firm of Newell & Newell, P.C., which is located in Columbus, GA. Tom started the firm with his wife, Silvia Newell, CPA in 1986. Prior to that, his public accounting experience included both local firms and international firms. Tom has performed hundreds of peer reviews and has been involved with the peer review program since 1989. Tom served on the Georgia Society (GSCPA) peer review committees from 1989 to 1993. In 1993, he was selected to be one of the technical reviewers for the Georgia Society Peer Review Program and served for nine years. During his time as technical reviewer, Tom worked with the GSCPA to move the peer review committee from in-person to online meetings. Tom has also served several years on the accounting and auditing committee at the Georgia Society. Tom has been a presenter at conferences and CPE courses for over 30 years. He has been a frequent presenter for the Georgia Society of CPAs at the Southeastern Accounting Show, Tax Forum (A&A topics), and the Accounting Institute. Tom is also a discussion leader for various continuing education courses on A&A topics for other state societies. He has made presentations at Fortune 500 companies and several government agencies on accounting and auditing, internal controls, and cybersecurity. As a presenter, Tom has been described as a dynamic speaker who is able to take a boring topic (accounting and auditing) and make it interesting. He was awarded the Surgent Outstanding Discussion Leader Award in 2015, 2016, and 2018, as a result of these skills. Tom was recognized in 2018 by the AICPA as an Outstanding Facilitator for his consistently high evaluations of knowledge and presentation skills. As the world of presentations has been changing, Tom has been a champion of moving to virtual presentations. He was involved in the early years of simulcasting by various state CPA societies, as well as the recording of video and audio self-study courses. Tom is now prepared for the next wave of change toward the totally virtual classroom that simulates a true live classroom experience. Tom graduated cum laude from Georgia Southwestern College in Americus, GA in 1980.

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