Internal Audit Reports Post Sarbanes-Oxley: A Guide to Process-Driven Reporting

SECTION FOUR

IT'S A FLAT WORLD AFTER ALL

For all information's independence and extent, it is people, in their communities, organizations, and institutions, who ultimately decide what it all means and why it matters.

John Seely Brown and Paul Duguid,The Social Life of Information

This section comprises only one chapter and is composed of five parts. The first part observes the SOX effect on internal auditing processes around the world and offers a rationale for why this particular legislation is reaching far beyond the companies that are legally bound by it.

The second part deals with diversity: how to measure cultural commonalities and get the job done in a variety of settings. Audience analysis checklists and advice from experts on how best to report to multinational audiences are included.

The third part addresses the question “Why English?” and provides a few pointers on particular pitfalls to be aware of, plus notes for reporting in multiple currencies.

The fourth part offers suggestions for getting past writer's block and getting started, and the fifth part offers a few last words in support of an internal audit reporting process that is becoming increasingly more important, more automated, and decidedly global.

PERSPECTIVE

Ted Senko, Global Leader of Internal Audit Services, KPMG, says: “With respect to the whole Internal Audit profession, SOX has enlarged the view from within organizations—and from without. Internal Audit now has the opportunity to operate at a level ...