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ACC 675 Milestone Two Guidelines and Rubric
As an auditor, the ability to transcribe formalized or narrative
processes into functional workflows allows you to identify
potential gaps in accounting systems.
These gaps can result in material audit findings necessitating
changes in the company control structure.
For Milestone Two, prepare an analysis of Trinity Industries’
first year of Sarbanes–Oxley (SOX) compliance. The vice
president (VP) and chief audit executive
described the company as a likely candidate for a material
weakness in the first year of SOX compliance. What were the
elements critical to the company’s
decisive success in its first year of compliance? Define a
material weakness and explain the material weaknesses that are
specific to Trinity. Describe the factors
that made Trinity a success by illustrating the flow processes of
the organization both in a narrative and process flowchart. This
flowchart will be used to identify
gaps and other threats to potential audit weaknesses.
Prompt: Formulate your processes into a comprehensive
flowchart that will be used to identify gaps in processes and
other threats to potential audit
weaknesses.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
II. First Year of SOX Compliance
a) The VP and chief audit executive described the company as a
likely candidate for a material weakness in the first year of SOX
compliance. What
were the elements critical to the company’s decisive success in
its first year of compliance?
b) What internal controls are important for preparing accurate
and reliable financial reports? Support your response using both
examples provided
in the case study, as well as research into accounting standards
(i.e., Public Company Accounting Oversight Board [PCAOB]).
c) Define, using support from accounting standards or other
empirical evidence, what a material weakness is in terms of
SOX compliance.
d) Assess, through reflection on the case study as well as the
comparable industries identified in the overview, what material
weaknesses are
specific to Trinity.
e) Articulate standards addressed in PCAOB regarding the
concept of material weaknesses in development of internal
control compliance. Ensure
that you demonstrate the requirements of SOX from inception in
2002.
f) Describe the factors that made Trinity successful by
illustrating the flow processes of the organization both in a
narrative and process flowchart.
Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Your analysis must be submitted as
a 2–3-page Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times
New Roman font, one-inch
margins, and at least three sources cited in APA format.
Critical Elements Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (75%)
Not Evident (0%) Value
First Year of SOX
Compliance: Success
Accurately determines elements critical
to the company’s success in its first
year of compliance
Determines elements critical to the
company’s success in its first year of
compliance but determination contains
inaccuracies
Does not determine elements critical to
the company’s success in its first year
of compliance
16
First Year of SOX
Compliance: Internal
Controls
Discusses which internal controls are
important for preparing financial
reports and supports response with
examples from the case study and
research into PCAOB
Discusses which internal controls are
important for preparing financial
reports and supports response with
examples from the case study and
research into PCAOB but support is
weak or illogical or does not use
further research
Does not discuss which internal
controls are important for preparing
financial reports
16
First Year of SOX
Compliance: Material
Weakness
Defines what a material weakness is in
terms of SOX compliance using support
from accounting standards or other
empirical evidence
Defines what a material weakness is in
terms of SOX compliance using support
from accounting standards or other
empirical evidence but support is weak
Does not define what a material
weakness is in terms of SOX
compliance using support
16
First Year of SOX
Compliance: Specific
Assesses which material weaknesses
are specific to the company through a
reflection on the case study and
comparable industries identified in the
overview
Assesses which material weaknesses
are specific to the company through a
reflection on the case study and
comparable industries identified in the
overview but assessment is cursory or
contains inaccuracies
Does not assess which material
weaknesses are specific to the
company
16
First Year of SOX
Compliance: PCAOB
Articulates standards addressed in
PCAOB regarding the concept of
material weaknesses in development of
internal control compliance and
ensures demonstration of the
requirements of SOX from inception in
2002
Articulates standards addressed in
PCAOB regarding the concept of
material weaknesses in development of
internal control compliance but does
not ensure demonstration of the
requirements of SOX from inception in
2002
Does not articulate standards
addressed in PCAOB regarding the
concept of material weaknesses in
development of internal control
compliance
16
First Year of SOX
Compliance: Factors
Describes the factors that made Trinity
successful by illustrating the flow
processes of the organization both in a
narrative and process flowchart
Describes the factors that made Trinity
successful by illustrating the flow
processes of the organization both in a
narrative and process flowchart but
one or both lack detail or contain
inaccuracies
Does not describe the factors that
made Trinity successful
16
Articulation of
Response
Submission has no major errors related
to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax,
or organization
Submission has major errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or
organization that negatively impact
readability and articulation of main
ideas
Submission has critical errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or
organization that prevent
understanding of ideas
4
Earned Total 100%
ACC 675 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
Overview
The final project for this course is the creation of a case study
analysis. You will use the article The SOX Compliance Journey
at Trinity Industries as a resource for
this project.
Companies today must ensure that operational processes are
performing efficiently and effectively in compliance with
current regulations. Accountants must
adhere to domestic standards set by organizations—such as the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Financial
Accounting and Standards
Board—as well as global standards, such as the International
Financial Reporting Standards, requiring appropriate
implementation and assessment of internal
controls. Whether developing appropriate processes internally
or preparing substantive testing, external auditors must be able
to quickly and completely assess
the financial processes, determine weaknesses, and provide
recommendations for improvement.
The ability to transcribe formalized or narrative processes into
functional workflows allows an auditor to identify potential
gaps in accounting systems. These
gaps can result in material audit findings necessitating changes
in the company’s control structure.
However, it is not only the process and flow of transactions that
requires scrutiny. Companies evolve into sophisticated,
computerized systems that require an in-
depth understanding of administrative rights, electronic process
flows, and end user reporting.
In this case study, you will apply all of these skills in
developing recommendations for Trinity Industries. Though the
Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX)
promulgated many internal control structure changes, the
company is unsure as to whether they are applying too few or
too many internal controls. Unnecessary
controls place added burden on staff and cost the company
thousands of dollars in monitoring and maintenance.
Your role will be to provide an overview of the company and its
market industry. From this you will formulate your processes
into a comprehensive flowchart that
will be used to identify gaps in processes and other threats to
potential audit weaknesses.
The project is divided into four milestones, which will be
submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold
learning and ensure quality final
submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules
Two, Four, Six, and Seven. The final product will be submitted
in Module Nine.
In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the
following course outcomes:
narrative and process flowcharts for identifying gaps resulting
in potential material
weaknesses
accounting electronic data processing systems with respect to a
specific industry’s needs
http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/do
cview/963675948?accountid=3783
processes described by management are accurately reflected
within system transactions
processes based on outcomes of testing
structures for producing accurate and reliable financial reports
Company Accounting Oversight Board as they relate to
compliance within specific industries
Prompt
Your role will be to provide an overview of the company and its
market industry. From this, you will formulate your processes
into a comprehensive flowchart
that will be used to identify gaps in processes and other threats
to potential audit weaknesses.
By understanding the industry, you will gain valuable insight
into the appropriate software systems that will provide industry-
specific needs and financial
reporting by comparing and contrasting current electronic data
processing (EDP) systems with those in the marketplace.
By performing substantive testing, you will audit the transaction
flow and determine whether financial information is accurately
reflected in the system
transactions. This will allow for an assessment and
recommendation as to the effectiveness of the company’s
internal control processes, including changes in
transaction processing if necessary.
Finally, through interpretation of current audit and internal
control standards, you will determine whether Trinity is in
compliance within the industry standards
and aligned functionally with both efficiency and effectiveness
of controls.
Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed:
I. Overview
To adequately prepare for the following questions, you will
need to prepare an overview/assessment of Trinity Industries,
including background, key
market demographics, financial position, and governance
policies. You are required to address the following seven
subjects:
a) Overview of the organization
b) Size of the organization
c) Sector/industry (along with three other companies that would
be comparable)
d) Structure/line of businesses
e) Organizational structure (organization chart)
f) Yearly performance in terms of revenue (as compared with
the three other companies identified)
g) Management and culture (i.e., how long has key staff been
employed, stability of the company over the history, growth in
industry)
II. First Year of SOX Compliance
a) The vice president (VP) and chief audit executive described
the company as a likely candidate for a material weakness in the
first year of SOX
compliance. What were the elements critical to the company’s
decisive success in its first year of compliance?
b) What internal controls are important for preparing accurate
and reliable financial reports? Support your response using both
examples provided
in the case study, as well as research into accounting standards
(i.e., Public Company Accounting Oversight Board [PCAOB]).
c) Define, using support from accounting standards or other
empirical evidence, what a material weakness is in terms of
SOX compliance.
d) Assess, through reflection on the case study as well as the
comparable industries identified in the overview, what material
weaknesses are
specific to Trinity.
e) Articulate standards addressed in PCAOB regarding the
concept of material weaknesses in development of internal
control compliance. Ensure
that you demonstrate the requirements of SOX from inception in
2002.
f) Describe the factors that made Trinity successful by
illustrating the flow processes of the organization both in a
narrative and process flowchart.
III. Bottom-Up Approach
a) What were the strengths and weaknesses of Trinity’s
practice-based bottom-up approach? How effective was it?
b) What would you recommend it should have done differently
in Year 1? Defend your response.
c) Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of a
bottom-up versus a top-down risk approach to compliance.
d) Which approach is more appropriate in completing a
compliance project successfully for Trinity’s first year?
e) How does each approach affect a company’s internal control
structure?
f) Identify the chief insights from the pilot project. How does
the pilot project for the EDP system compare to SOX
requirements?
g) Identify the testing processes Trinity performed and whether
Trinity took the appropriate approach in designing their
controls.
h) Based on the substantive tests, which testing process proved
to be most useful in assessing Trinity’s accounting system?
i) Compose a short memorandum that communicates the results
of the first year of testing along with recommendations as to
what Trinity should
do differently in subsequent years.
IV. SOX-Related Expenses
a) Formulate recommendations for how Trinity could further
reduce SOX-related expenses in 2008. Be sure to consider the
barriers the company
may encounter with each of your recommendations.
b) What are the major sources of cost in Trinity’s compliance
maintenance and testing?
c) Rank each of the major sources of cost in terms of value.
d) Compare the choice of Oracle as the selected software system
against two other systems of comparable size and scope.
Evaluate each software
system’s advantages and disadvantages.
e) If you determine that another software system would have
been a better choice through your analysis, defend the decision.
If Oracle is the
choice after analysis, defend that decision.
V. IFRS
a) What are the implications of a change in accounting
standards? For example, what kinds of changes to data
calculation and information reporting
are likely to occur with a transition to a new standard?
b) What changes will be required for Trinity to improve internal
control compliance?
c) What standards will affect Trinity as a result of IFRS?
d) Discuss each infrastructure’s role is in supporting a
compliance project like IFRS:
1. What constitutes Trinity’s governance infrastructure?
2. What constitutes Trinity’s IT infrastructure?
3. What constitutes Trinity’s process infrastructure?
Milestones
Milestone One: Company Overview Report (Section I)
In Module Two, you will submit an overview of Trinity
Industries. Provide an overview of the company and its market
industry. Include background, key market
demographics, financial position, and governance policies in
your company overview. By understanding the industry, you
will gain valuable insight into the
appropriate software systems that will provide industry-specific
needs and financial reporting necessary. This milestone will be
graded with the Milestone One
Rubric.
Milestone Two: First Year of SOX Compliance (Section II)
In Module Four, you will submit an analysis of Trinity
Industries’ first year of SOX compliance. The VP and chief
audit executive described the company as a likely
candidate for a material weakness in the first year of SOX
compliance. What were the elements critical to the company’s
decisive success in its first year of
compliance? Define a material weakness and explain the
material weaknesses that are specific to Trinity. Describe the
factors that made Trinity a success by
illustrating the flow processes of the organization both in a
narrative and process flowchart. This flowchart will be used to
identify gaps and other threats to
potential audit weaknesses. This milestone will be graded with
the Milestone Two Rubric.
Milestone Three: Comparative Systems Report (Sections III and
IV)
In Module Six, you will submit a draft of your comparative
systems report. Compare and contrast current EDP systems used
by Trinity Industries with those in the
marketplace. Using substantive testing, audit the transaction
flow and determine whether financial information is accurately
reflected in the system transactions.
This will allow for an assessment and recommendation as to the
effectiveness of the company’s internal control processes,
including changes in transaction
processing if necessary. Compose a short memorandum that
communicates the results of the first year of testing along with
recommendations as to what Trinity
should do differently in subsequent years, including
recommendations for reducing SOX-related expenses. This
milestone will be graded with the Milestone
Three Rubric.
Milestone Four: IFRS Report (Section V)
In Module Seven, you will submit a draft of your IFRS report.
You will determine whether Trinity is in compliance within the
industry standards and aligned
functionally with both efficiency and effectiveness of controls
through the use of current audit and internal control standards.
State all assumptions and
conclusions. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone
Four Rubric.
Final Submission: Case Study Analysis
In Module Nine, you will submit your case study analysis. It
should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the
main elements of the final product. It
should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout
the course. This submission will be graded using the Final
Project Rubric.
Deliverables
Milestone Deliverable Module Due Grading
One Company Overview Report (Section I) Two Graded
separately; Milestone One Rubric
Two First Year of SOX Compliance (Section II) Four Graded
separately; Milestone Two Rubric
Three Comparative Systems Report (Sections III and
IV)
Six Graded separately; Milestone Three Rubric
Four IFRS Report (Section V) Seven Graded separately;
Milestone Four Rubric
Final Submission: Case Study Analysis Nine Graded
separately; Final Project Rubric
Final Project Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Your case study analysis (including
flowcharts and memo) should be 10–12 pages, double-spaced,
with one-inch margins, 12-point
Times New Roman font, and APA format.
Critical Elements Exemplary Proficient Needs Improvement
Not Evident Value
Overview Meets “Proficient” criteria and
uses industry-specific language
to establish expertise
(100%)
Prepares a comprehensive
overview
(90%)
Prepares an overview but
overview is cursory or lacks
detail
(70%)
Does not prepare an overview
(0%)
5
First Year of SOX
Compliance: Success
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
determination is well-supported
with concrete examples
(100%)
Accurately determines
elements critical to the
company’s success in its first
year of compliance
(90%)
Determines elements critical to
the company’s success in its
first year of compliance but
determination contains
inaccuracies
(70%)
Does not determine elements
critical to the company’s
success in its first year of
compliance
(0%)
5
First Year of SOX
Compliance: Internal
Controls
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
uses industry-specific language
to establish expertise
(100%)
Discusses which internal
controls are important for
preparing financial reports and
supports response with
examples from the case study
and research into PCAOB
(90%)
Discusses which internal
controls are important for
preparing financial reports and
supports response with
examples from the case study
and research into PCAOB but
support is weak, illogical, or
does not use further research
(70%)
Does not discuss which internal
controls are important for
preparing financial reports
(0%)
5
First Year of SOX
Compliance: Material
Weakness
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
definition is exceptionally clear
and contextualized
(100%)
Defines what a material
weakness is in terms of SOX
compliance using support from
accounting standards or other
empirical evidence
(90%)
Defines what a material
weakness is in terms of SOX
compliance using support from
accounting standards or other
empirical evidence but support
is weak
(70%)
Does not define what a material
weakness is in terms of SOX
compliance using support
(0%)
3
First Year of SOX
Compliance: Specific
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
shows keen insight into the
types of material weaknesses
(100%)
Assesses which material
weaknesses are specific to the
company through a reflection
on the case study and
comparable industries
identified in the overview
(90%)
Assesses which material
weaknesses are specific to the
company through a reflection
on the case study and
comparable industries
identified in the overview but
assessment is cursory or
contains inaccuracies
(70%)
Does not assess which material
weaknesses are specific to the
company
(0%)
5
First Year of SOX
Compliance: PCAOB
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
shows keen insight into SOX
requirements
(100%)
Articulates standards addressed
in PCAOB regarding the concept
of material weaknesses in
development of internal control
compliance and ensures
demonstration of the
requirements of SOX from
inception in 2002
(90%)
Articulates standards addressed
in PCAOB regarding the concept
of material weaknesses in
development of internal control
compliance but does not ensure
demonstration of the
requirements of SOX from
inception in 2002
(70%)
Does not articulate standards
addressed in PCAOB regarding
the concept of material
weaknesses in development of
internal control compliance
(0%)
3
First Year of SOX
Compliance: Factors
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
both artifacts are exceptionally
clear and contextualized
(100%)
Describes the factors that made
Trinity successful by illustrating
the flow processes of the
organization both in a narrative
and process flowchart
(90%)
Describes the factors that made
Trinity successful by illustrating
the flow processes of the
organization both in a narrative
and process flowchart but one
or both lack detail or contain
inaccuracies
(70%)
Does not describe the factors
that made Trinity successful
(0%)
5
Bottom-Up Approach:
Strengths and
Weaknesses
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
determination is well-supported
with concrete examples
(100%)
Determines the strengths and
weaknesses of the bottom-up
approach and its effectiveness
(90%)
Determines the strengths and
weaknesses of the bottom-up
approach and its effectiveness
but determination is cursory or
contains inaccuracies
(70%)
Does not determine the
strengths and weaknesses of
the bottom-up approach
(0%)
5
Bottom-Up Approach:
Recommend
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
recommendation uses industry-
specific language to establish
expertise
(100%)
Formulates a recommendation
concerning what the company
should have done differently in
Year 1 and defends response
(90%)
Formulates a recommendation
concerning what the company
should have done differently in
Year 1 but does not defend
response or defense is weak or
illogical
(70%)
Does not formulate a
recommendation concerning
what the company should have
done differently in Year 1
(0%)
3
Bottom-Up Approach:
Top-Down
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates a nuanced
understanding of the
differences between the two
approaches
(100%)
Compares and contrasts the
strengths and weaknesses of a
bottom-up versus a top-down
risk approach to compliance
(90%)
Compares and contrasts the
strengths and weaknesses of a
bottom-up versus a top-down
risk approach to compliance but
with gaps in accuracy or detail
(70%)
Does not compare and contrast
the strengths and weaknesses
of a bottom-up versus a top-
down risk approach to
compliance
(0%)
3
Bottom-Up Approach:
Compliance Project
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
determination is well-supported
with concrete examples
(100%)
Accurately determines which
approach is more appropriate in
completing a compliance
project successfully for Trinity’s
first year
(90%)
Determines which approach is
more appropriate in completing
a compliance project
successfully for Trinity’s first
year but is inaccurate in
determination
(70%)
Does not determine which
approach is more appropriate in
completing a compliance
project successfully for Trinity’s
first year
(0%)
3
Bottom-Up Approach:
Internal Control
Structure
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates a nuanced
understanding of internal
control structures
(100%)
Accurately assesses how each
approach affects a company’s
internal control structure
(90%)
Assesses how each approach
affects a company’s internal
control structure but
assessment is cursory or
contains inaccuracies
(70%)
Does not assess how each
approach affects a company’s
internal control structure
(0%)
5
Bottom-Up Approach:
Chief Insights
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
demonstrates a nuanced
understanding of SOX
requirements
(100%)
Identifies the chief insights from
the EDP system’s pilot project
and how the project compares
to SOX requirements
(90%)
Identifies the chief insights from
the EDP system’s pilot project
but does not identify how the
project compares to SOX
requirements or identification is
incorrect
(70%)
Does not identify the chief
insights from the pilot project
(0%)
3
Bottom-Up Approach:
Testing Processes
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
supports claims with examples
(100%)
Identifies the testing processes
Trinity performed and whether
Trinity took the appropriate
approach in designing their
controls
(90%)
Identifies the testing processes
Trinity performed but does not
identify whether Trinity took
the appropriate approach in
designing their controls or
testing processes identified are
inaccurate
(70%)
Does not identify the testing
processes Trinity performed
(0%)
5
Bottom-Up Approach:
Most Useful
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
provides relevant examples
(100%)
Determines the most useful
testing process based on the
substantive tests
(90%)
Determines the most useful
testing process but does not
base determination on the
substantive tests
(70%)
Does not determine the most
useful testing process
(0%)
5
Bottom-Up Approach:
Results and
Recommendations
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
uses industry-specific language
to establish expertise
(100%)
Composes a memo that
communicates the results for
the first year and includes
recommendations
(90%)
Composes a memo that
communicates the results for
the first year and includes
recommendations but memo is
cursory or lacks detail
(70%)
Does not compose a memo
(0%)
3
SOX-Related
Expenses: Further
Reduce
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
shows keen insight into
potential barriers related to SOX
(100%)
Formulates recommendations
for how Trinity could further
reduce SOX-related expenses in
2008 and considers the barriers
they may encounter
(90%)
Formulates recommendations
for how Trinity could further
reduce SOX-related expenses in
2008 but does not consider the
barriers they may encounter or
recommendations are illogical
(70%)
Does not formulate
recommendations for how
Trinity could further reduce
SOX-related expenses in 2008
(0%)
3
SOX-Related
Expenses: Major
Sources of Cost
Determines the major sources
of cost in Trinity’s compliance
maintenance and testing
(100%)
Determines the major sources
of cost in Trinity’s compliance
maintenance and testing but
determination contains
inaccuracies
(70%)
Does not determine the major
sources of cost in Trinity’s
compliance maintenance and
testing
(0%)
5
SOX-Related
Expenses: Rank
Accurately ranks each of the
major sources of cost in terms
of value
(100%)
Ranks each of the major
sources of cost in terms of value
but contains inaccuracies
(70%)
Does not rank each of the major
sources of cost in terms of value
(0%)
3
SOX-Related
Expenses: Software
System
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
shows a nuanced understanding
of the various types of software
systems available
(100%)
Compares Oracle as the
selected software system
against two other systems by
evaluating each system’s
advantages and disadvantages
(90%)
Compares Oracle as the
selected software system
against two other systems by
evaluating each system’s
advantages and disadvantages
but evaluation is cursory or
contains inaccuracies
(70%)
Does not compare Oracle as the
selected software system
against two other systems
(0%)
3
SOX-Related
Expenses: Defense
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
provides relevant examples to
support decision
(100%)
Defends the decision of the
software choice based on the
analysis
(90%)
Defends the decision of the
software choice but does not
base defense on the analysis
(70%)
Does not defend the decision of
the software choice
(0%)
3
IFRS: Change
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
is well-supported with concrete
examples
(100%)
Discusses the implications of a
change in accounting standards
(90%)
Discusses the implications of a
change in accounting standards
but discussion is cursory or
contains inaccuracies
(70%)
Does not discuss the
implications of a change in
accounting standards
(0%)
3
IFRS: Improve
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
provides relevant examples to
support determination
(100%)
Determines changes required to
improve internal control
compliance
(90%)
Determines changes required to
improve internal control
compliance but determination
is cursory or contains
inaccuracies
(70%)
Does not determine changes
required to improve internal
control compliance
(0%)
3
IFRS: Standards
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
provides relevant examples to
support determination
(100%)
Determines which standards
will affect Trinity as a result of
IFRS
(90%)
Determines which standards
will affect Trinity as a result of
IFRS but determination is
cursory or contains inaccuracies
(70%)
Does not determine which
standards will affect Trinity as a
result of IFRS
(0%)
3
IFRS: Role
Meets “Proficient” criteria and
uses industry-specific language
to establish expertise
(100%)
Discusses the role of the three
groups in supporting a
compliance project like IFRS
(90%)
Discusses the role of the three
groups in supporting a
compliance project like IFRS but
discussion is cursory, contains
inaccuracies, or does not
discuss all three groups
(70%)
Does not discuss the role of the
three groups in supporting a
compliance project like IFRS
(0%)
3
Articulation of
Response
Submission is free of errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, and
organization and is presented in
a professional and easy-to-read
format
(100%)
Submission has no major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
(90%)
Submission has major errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that negatively impact
readability and articulation of
main ideas
(70%)
Submission has critical errors
related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
that prevent understanding of
ideas
(0%)
5
Earned Total 100%
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ACC 675 Milestone Two Guidelines and Rubric As an audit.docx

  • 1. ACC 675 Milestone Two Guidelines and Rubric As an auditor, the ability to transcribe formalized or narrative processes into functional workflows allows you to identify potential gaps in accounting systems. These gaps can result in material audit findings necessitating changes in the company control structure. For Milestone Two, prepare an analysis of Trinity Industries’ first year of Sarbanes–Oxley (SOX) compliance. The vice president (VP) and chief audit executive described the company as a likely candidate for a material weakness in the first year of SOX compliance. What were the elements critical to the company’s decisive success in its first year of compliance? Define a material weakness and explain the material weaknesses that are specific to Trinity. Describe the factors that made Trinity a success by illustrating the flow processes of the organization both in a narrative and process flowchart. This flowchart will be used to identify gaps and other threats to potential audit weaknesses. Prompt: Formulate your processes into a comprehensive flowchart that will be used to identify gaps in processes and other threats to potential audit weaknesses. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed: II. First Year of SOX Compliance
  • 2. a) The VP and chief audit executive described the company as a likely candidate for a material weakness in the first year of SOX compliance. What were the elements critical to the company’s decisive success in its first year of compliance? b) What internal controls are important for preparing accurate and reliable financial reports? Support your response using both examples provided in the case study, as well as research into accounting standards (i.e., Public Company Accounting Oversight Board [PCAOB]). c) Define, using support from accounting standards or other empirical evidence, what a material weakness is in terms of SOX compliance. d) Assess, through reflection on the case study as well as the comparable industries identified in the overview, what material weaknesses are specific to Trinity. e) Articulate standards addressed in PCAOB regarding the concept of material weaknesses in development of internal control compliance. Ensure that you demonstrate the requirements of SOX from inception in 2002. f) Describe the factors that made Trinity successful by illustrating the flow processes of the organization both in a narrative and process flowchart. Rubric
  • 3. Guidelines for Submission: Your analysis must be submitted as a 2–3-page Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, one-inch margins, and at least three sources cited in APA format. Critical Elements Proficient (100%) Needs Improvement (75%) Not Evident (0%) Value First Year of SOX Compliance: Success Accurately determines elements critical to the company’s success in its first year of compliance Determines elements critical to the company’s success in its first year of compliance but determination contains inaccuracies Does not determine elements critical to the company’s success in its first year of compliance 16 First Year of SOX Compliance: Internal Controls Discusses which internal controls are important for preparing financial reports and supports response with
  • 4. examples from the case study and research into PCAOB Discusses which internal controls are important for preparing financial reports and supports response with examples from the case study and research into PCAOB but support is weak or illogical or does not use further research Does not discuss which internal controls are important for preparing financial reports 16 First Year of SOX Compliance: Material Weakness Defines what a material weakness is in terms of SOX compliance using support from accounting standards or other empirical evidence Defines what a material weakness is in terms of SOX compliance using support from accounting standards or other empirical evidence but support is weak Does not define what a material weakness is in terms of SOX compliance using support
  • 5. 16 First Year of SOX Compliance: Specific Assesses which material weaknesses are specific to the company through a reflection on the case study and comparable industries identified in the overview Assesses which material weaknesses are specific to the company through a reflection on the case study and comparable industries identified in the overview but assessment is cursory or contains inaccuracies Does not assess which material weaknesses are specific to the company 16 First Year of SOX Compliance: PCAOB Articulates standards addressed in PCAOB regarding the concept of material weaknesses in development of internal control compliance and ensures demonstration of the requirements of SOX from inception in 2002 Articulates standards addressed in
  • 6. PCAOB regarding the concept of material weaknesses in development of internal control compliance but does not ensure demonstration of the requirements of SOX from inception in 2002 Does not articulate standards addressed in PCAOB regarding the concept of material weaknesses in development of internal control compliance 16 First Year of SOX Compliance: Factors Describes the factors that made Trinity successful by illustrating the flow processes of the organization both in a narrative and process flowchart Describes the factors that made Trinity successful by illustrating the flow processes of the organization both in a narrative and process flowchart but one or both lack detail or contain inaccuracies Does not describe the factors that made Trinity successful
  • 7. 16 Articulation of Response Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas 4 Earned Total 100% ACC 675 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric
  • 8. Overview The final project for this course is the creation of a case study analysis. You will use the article The SOX Compliance Journey at Trinity Industries as a resource for this project. Companies today must ensure that operational processes are performing efficiently and effectively in compliance with current regulations. Accountants must adhere to domestic standards set by organizations—such as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Financial Accounting and Standards Board—as well as global standards, such as the International Financial Reporting Standards, requiring appropriate implementation and assessment of internal controls. Whether developing appropriate processes internally or preparing substantive testing, external auditors must be able to quickly and completely assess the financial processes, determine weaknesses, and provide recommendations for improvement. The ability to transcribe formalized or narrative processes into functional workflows allows an auditor to identify potential gaps in accounting systems. These gaps can result in material audit findings necessitating changes in the company’s control structure. However, it is not only the process and flow of transactions that requires scrutiny. Companies evolve into sophisticated, computerized systems that require an in- depth understanding of administrative rights, electronic process flows, and end user reporting. In this case study, you will apply all of these skills in developing recommendations for Trinity Industries. Though the
  • 9. Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) promulgated many internal control structure changes, the company is unsure as to whether they are applying too few or too many internal controls. Unnecessary controls place added burden on staff and cost the company thousands of dollars in monitoring and maintenance. Your role will be to provide an overview of the company and its market industry. From this you will formulate your processes into a comprehensive flowchart that will be used to identify gaps in processes and other threats to potential audit weaknesses. The project is divided into four milestones, which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitted in Modules Two, Four, Six, and Seven. The final product will be submitted in Module Nine. In this assignment, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes: narrative and process flowcharts for identifying gaps resulting in potential material weaknesses accounting electronic data processing systems with respect to a specific industry’s needs http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/do cview/963675948?accountid=3783
  • 10. processes described by management are accurately reflected within system transactions processes based on outcomes of testing structures for producing accurate and reliable financial reports Company Accounting Oversight Board as they relate to compliance within specific industries Prompt Your role will be to provide an overview of the company and its market industry. From this, you will formulate your processes into a comprehensive flowchart that will be used to identify gaps in processes and other threats to potential audit weaknesses. By understanding the industry, you will gain valuable insight into the appropriate software systems that will provide industry- specific needs and financial reporting by comparing and contrasting current electronic data processing (EDP) systems with those in the marketplace. By performing substantive testing, you will audit the transaction flow and determine whether financial information is accurately reflected in the system transactions. This will allow for an assessment and recommendation as to the effectiveness of the company’s
  • 11. internal control processes, including changes in transaction processing if necessary. Finally, through interpretation of current audit and internal control standards, you will determine whether Trinity is in compliance within the industry standards and aligned functionally with both efficiency and effectiveness of controls. Specifically, the following critical elements must be addressed: I. Overview To adequately prepare for the following questions, you will need to prepare an overview/assessment of Trinity Industries, including background, key market demographics, financial position, and governance policies. You are required to address the following seven subjects: a) Overview of the organization b) Size of the organization c) Sector/industry (along with three other companies that would be comparable) d) Structure/line of businesses e) Organizational structure (organization chart) f) Yearly performance in terms of revenue (as compared with the three other companies identified) g) Management and culture (i.e., how long has key staff been employed, stability of the company over the history, growth in industry)
  • 12. II. First Year of SOX Compliance a) The vice president (VP) and chief audit executive described the company as a likely candidate for a material weakness in the first year of SOX compliance. What were the elements critical to the company’s decisive success in its first year of compliance? b) What internal controls are important for preparing accurate and reliable financial reports? Support your response using both examples provided in the case study, as well as research into accounting standards (i.e., Public Company Accounting Oversight Board [PCAOB]). c) Define, using support from accounting standards or other empirical evidence, what a material weakness is in terms of SOX compliance. d) Assess, through reflection on the case study as well as the comparable industries identified in the overview, what material weaknesses are specific to Trinity. e) Articulate standards addressed in PCAOB regarding the concept of material weaknesses in development of internal control compliance. Ensure that you demonstrate the requirements of SOX from inception in 2002. f) Describe the factors that made Trinity successful by illustrating the flow processes of the organization both in a narrative and process flowchart. III. Bottom-Up Approach
  • 13. a) What were the strengths and weaknesses of Trinity’s practice-based bottom-up approach? How effective was it? b) What would you recommend it should have done differently in Year 1? Defend your response. c) Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of a bottom-up versus a top-down risk approach to compliance. d) Which approach is more appropriate in completing a compliance project successfully for Trinity’s first year? e) How does each approach affect a company’s internal control structure? f) Identify the chief insights from the pilot project. How does the pilot project for the EDP system compare to SOX requirements? g) Identify the testing processes Trinity performed and whether Trinity took the appropriate approach in designing their controls. h) Based on the substantive tests, which testing process proved to be most useful in assessing Trinity’s accounting system? i) Compose a short memorandum that communicates the results of the first year of testing along with recommendations as to what Trinity should do differently in subsequent years. IV. SOX-Related Expenses a) Formulate recommendations for how Trinity could further reduce SOX-related expenses in 2008. Be sure to consider the barriers the company may encounter with each of your recommendations. b) What are the major sources of cost in Trinity’s compliance maintenance and testing? c) Rank each of the major sources of cost in terms of value. d) Compare the choice of Oracle as the selected software system against two other systems of comparable size and scope.
  • 14. Evaluate each software system’s advantages and disadvantages. e) If you determine that another software system would have been a better choice through your analysis, defend the decision. If Oracle is the choice after analysis, defend that decision. V. IFRS a) What are the implications of a change in accounting standards? For example, what kinds of changes to data calculation and information reporting are likely to occur with a transition to a new standard? b) What changes will be required for Trinity to improve internal control compliance? c) What standards will affect Trinity as a result of IFRS? d) Discuss each infrastructure’s role is in supporting a compliance project like IFRS: 1. What constitutes Trinity’s governance infrastructure? 2. What constitutes Trinity’s IT infrastructure? 3. What constitutes Trinity’s process infrastructure? Milestones Milestone One: Company Overview Report (Section I) In Module Two, you will submit an overview of Trinity Industries. Provide an overview of the company and its market
  • 15. industry. Include background, key market demographics, financial position, and governance policies in your company overview. By understanding the industry, you will gain valuable insight into the appropriate software systems that will provide industry-specific needs and financial reporting necessary. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric. Milestone Two: First Year of SOX Compliance (Section II) In Module Four, you will submit an analysis of Trinity Industries’ first year of SOX compliance. The VP and chief audit executive described the company as a likely candidate for a material weakness in the first year of SOX compliance. What were the elements critical to the company’s decisive success in its first year of compliance? Define a material weakness and explain the material weaknesses that are specific to Trinity. Describe the factors that made Trinity a success by illustrating the flow processes of the organization both in a narrative and process flowchart. This flowchart will be used to identify gaps and other threats to potential audit weaknesses. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric. Milestone Three: Comparative Systems Report (Sections III and IV) In Module Six, you will submit a draft of your comparative systems report. Compare and contrast current EDP systems used by Trinity Industries with those in the marketplace. Using substantive testing, audit the transaction flow and determine whether financial information is accurately reflected in the system transactions. This will allow for an assessment and recommendation as to the effectiveness of the company’s internal control processes, including changes in transaction
  • 16. processing if necessary. Compose a short memorandum that communicates the results of the first year of testing along with recommendations as to what Trinity should do differently in subsequent years, including recommendations for reducing SOX-related expenses. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Three Rubric. Milestone Four: IFRS Report (Section V) In Module Seven, you will submit a draft of your IFRS report. You will determine whether Trinity is in compliance within the industry standards and aligned functionally with both efficiency and effectiveness of controls through the use of current audit and internal control standards. State all assumptions and conclusions. This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Four Rubric. Final Submission: Case Study Analysis In Module Nine, you will submit your case study analysis. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the main elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. This submission will be graded using the Final Project Rubric. Deliverables
  • 17. Milestone Deliverable Module Due Grading One Company Overview Report (Section I) Two Graded separately; Milestone One Rubric Two First Year of SOX Compliance (Section II) Four Graded separately; Milestone Two Rubric Three Comparative Systems Report (Sections III and IV) Six Graded separately; Milestone Three Rubric Four IFRS Report (Section V) Seven Graded separately; Milestone Four Rubric Final Submission: Case Study Analysis Nine Graded separately; Final Project Rubric Final Project Rubric Guidelines for Submission: Your case study analysis (including flowcharts and memo) should be 10–12 pages, double-spaced, with one-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font, and APA format. Critical Elements Exemplary Proficient Needs Improvement Not Evident Value Overview Meets “Proficient” criteria and uses industry-specific language to establish expertise (100%)
  • 18. Prepares a comprehensive overview (90%) Prepares an overview but overview is cursory or lacks detail (70%) Does not prepare an overview (0%) 5 First Year of SOX Compliance: Success Meets “Proficient” criteria and determination is well-supported with concrete examples (100%) Accurately determines elements critical to the company’s success in its first year of compliance (90%) Determines elements critical to the company’s success in its first year of compliance but
  • 19. determination contains inaccuracies (70%) Does not determine elements critical to the company’s success in its first year of compliance (0%) 5 First Year of SOX Compliance: Internal Controls Meets “Proficient” criteria and uses industry-specific language to establish expertise (100%) Discusses which internal controls are important for preparing financial reports and supports response with examples from the case study and research into PCAOB (90%) Discusses which internal controls are important for preparing financial reports and supports response with examples from the case study
  • 20. and research into PCAOB but support is weak, illogical, or does not use further research (70%) Does not discuss which internal controls are important for preparing financial reports (0%) 5 First Year of SOX Compliance: Material Weakness Meets “Proficient” criteria and definition is exceptionally clear and contextualized (100%) Defines what a material weakness is in terms of SOX compliance using support from accounting standards or other empirical evidence (90%) Defines what a material weakness is in terms of SOX compliance using support from accounting standards or other empirical evidence but support is weak
  • 21. (70%) Does not define what a material weakness is in terms of SOX compliance using support (0%) 3 First Year of SOX Compliance: Specific Meets “Proficient” criteria and shows keen insight into the types of material weaknesses (100%) Assesses which material weaknesses are specific to the company through a reflection on the case study and comparable industries identified in the overview (90%) Assesses which material weaknesses are specific to the company through a reflection on the case study and comparable industries identified in the overview but assessment is cursory or contains inaccuracies (70%)
  • 22. Does not assess which material weaknesses are specific to the company (0%) 5 First Year of SOX Compliance: PCAOB Meets “Proficient” criteria and shows keen insight into SOX requirements (100%) Articulates standards addressed in PCAOB regarding the concept of material weaknesses in development of internal control compliance and ensures demonstration of the requirements of SOX from inception in 2002 (90%) Articulates standards addressed in PCAOB regarding the concept of material weaknesses in development of internal control compliance but does not ensure demonstration of the
  • 23. requirements of SOX from inception in 2002 (70%) Does not articulate standards addressed in PCAOB regarding the concept of material weaknesses in development of internal control compliance (0%) 3 First Year of SOX Compliance: Factors Meets “Proficient” criteria and both artifacts are exceptionally clear and contextualized (100%) Describes the factors that made Trinity successful by illustrating the flow processes of the organization both in a narrative and process flowchart (90%) Describes the factors that made Trinity successful by illustrating the flow processes of the organization both in a narrative and process flowchart but one or both lack detail or contain inaccuracies
  • 24. (70%) Does not describe the factors that made Trinity successful (0%) 5 Bottom-Up Approach: Strengths and Weaknesses Meets “Proficient” criteria and determination is well-supported with concrete examples (100%) Determines the strengths and weaknesses of the bottom-up approach and its effectiveness (90%) Determines the strengths and weaknesses of the bottom-up approach and its effectiveness but determination is cursory or contains inaccuracies (70%) Does not determine the strengths and weaknesses of the bottom-up approach (0%) 5
  • 25. Bottom-Up Approach: Recommend Meets “Proficient” criteria and recommendation uses industry- specific language to establish expertise (100%) Formulates a recommendation concerning what the company should have done differently in Year 1 and defends response (90%) Formulates a recommendation concerning what the company should have done differently in Year 1 but does not defend response or defense is weak or illogical (70%) Does not formulate a recommendation concerning what the company should have done differently in Year 1 (0%) 3 Bottom-Up Approach: Top-Down
  • 26. Meets “Proficient” criteria and demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the differences between the two approaches (100%) Compares and contrasts the strengths and weaknesses of a bottom-up versus a top-down risk approach to compliance (90%) Compares and contrasts the strengths and weaknesses of a bottom-up versus a top-down risk approach to compliance but with gaps in accuracy or detail (70%) Does not compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of a bottom-up versus a top- down risk approach to compliance (0%) 3 Bottom-Up Approach: Compliance Project
  • 27. Meets “Proficient” criteria and determination is well-supported with concrete examples (100%) Accurately determines which approach is more appropriate in completing a compliance project successfully for Trinity’s first year (90%) Determines which approach is more appropriate in completing a compliance project successfully for Trinity’s first year but is inaccurate in determination (70%) Does not determine which approach is more appropriate in completing a compliance project successfully for Trinity’s first year (0%) 3 Bottom-Up Approach: Internal Control Structure
  • 28. Meets “Proficient” criteria and demonstrates a nuanced understanding of internal control structures (100%) Accurately assesses how each approach affects a company’s internal control structure (90%) Assesses how each approach affects a company’s internal control structure but assessment is cursory or contains inaccuracies (70%) Does not assess how each approach affects a company’s internal control structure (0%) 5 Bottom-Up Approach: Chief Insights Meets “Proficient” criteria and demonstrates a nuanced understanding of SOX requirements (100%)
  • 29. Identifies the chief insights from the EDP system’s pilot project and how the project compares to SOX requirements (90%) Identifies the chief insights from the EDP system’s pilot project but does not identify how the project compares to SOX requirements or identification is incorrect (70%) Does not identify the chief insights from the pilot project (0%) 3 Bottom-Up Approach: Testing Processes Meets “Proficient” criteria and supports claims with examples (100%) Identifies the testing processes Trinity performed and whether Trinity took the appropriate approach in designing their controls (90%) Identifies the testing processes
  • 30. Trinity performed but does not identify whether Trinity took the appropriate approach in designing their controls or testing processes identified are inaccurate (70%) Does not identify the testing processes Trinity performed (0%) 5 Bottom-Up Approach: Most Useful Meets “Proficient” criteria and provides relevant examples (100%) Determines the most useful testing process based on the substantive tests (90%) Determines the most useful testing process but does not base determination on the substantive tests (70%) Does not determine the most useful testing process (0%)
  • 31. 5 Bottom-Up Approach: Results and Recommendations Meets “Proficient” criteria and uses industry-specific language to establish expertise (100%) Composes a memo that communicates the results for the first year and includes recommendations (90%) Composes a memo that communicates the results for the first year and includes recommendations but memo is cursory or lacks detail (70%) Does not compose a memo (0%) 3
  • 32. SOX-Related Expenses: Further Reduce Meets “Proficient” criteria and shows keen insight into potential barriers related to SOX (100%) Formulates recommendations for how Trinity could further reduce SOX-related expenses in 2008 and considers the barriers they may encounter (90%) Formulates recommendations for how Trinity could further reduce SOX-related expenses in 2008 but does not consider the barriers they may encounter or recommendations are illogical (70%) Does not formulate recommendations for how Trinity could further reduce SOX-related expenses in 2008 (0%) 3 SOX-Related Expenses: Major
  • 33. Sources of Cost Determines the major sources of cost in Trinity’s compliance maintenance and testing (100%) Determines the major sources of cost in Trinity’s compliance maintenance and testing but determination contains inaccuracies (70%) Does not determine the major sources of cost in Trinity’s compliance maintenance and testing (0%) 5 SOX-Related Expenses: Rank Accurately ranks each of the major sources of cost in terms of value (100%) Ranks each of the major sources of cost in terms of value but contains inaccuracies (70%)
  • 34. Does not rank each of the major sources of cost in terms of value (0%) 3 SOX-Related Expenses: Software System Meets “Proficient” criteria and shows a nuanced understanding of the various types of software systems available (100%) Compares Oracle as the selected software system against two other systems by evaluating each system’s advantages and disadvantages (90%) Compares Oracle as the selected software system against two other systems by evaluating each system’s advantages and disadvantages but evaluation is cursory or contains inaccuracies (70%) Does not compare Oracle as the
  • 35. selected software system against two other systems (0%) 3 SOX-Related Expenses: Defense Meets “Proficient” criteria and provides relevant examples to support decision (100%) Defends the decision of the software choice based on the analysis (90%) Defends the decision of the software choice but does not base defense on the analysis (70%) Does not defend the decision of the software choice (0%) 3 IFRS: Change
  • 36. Meets “Proficient” criteria and is well-supported with concrete examples (100%) Discusses the implications of a change in accounting standards (90%) Discusses the implications of a change in accounting standards but discussion is cursory or contains inaccuracies (70%) Does not discuss the implications of a change in accounting standards (0%) 3 IFRS: Improve Meets “Proficient” criteria and provides relevant examples to support determination (100%) Determines changes required to improve internal control compliance (90%)
  • 37. Determines changes required to improve internal control compliance but determination is cursory or contains inaccuracies (70%) Does not determine changes required to improve internal control compliance (0%) 3 IFRS: Standards Meets “Proficient” criteria and provides relevant examples to support determination (100%) Determines which standards will affect Trinity as a result of IFRS (90%) Determines which standards will affect Trinity as a result of IFRS but determination is cursory or contains inaccuracies (70%) Does not determine which standards will affect Trinity as a
  • 38. result of IFRS (0%) 3 IFRS: Role Meets “Proficient” criteria and uses industry-specific language to establish expertise (100%) Discusses the role of the three groups in supporting a compliance project like IFRS (90%) Discusses the role of the three groups in supporting a compliance project like IFRS but discussion is cursory, contains inaccuracies, or does not discuss all three groups (70%) Does not discuss the role of the three groups in supporting a compliance project like IFRS (0%) 3 Articulation of Response
  • 39. Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is presented in a professional and easy-to-read format (100%) Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization (90%) Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas (70%) Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas (0%) 5 Earned Total 100%