IT security threats are constantly evolving, so an organization’s response must also evolve and stay ahead of the game. In this interview, David Cieslak, CPA/CITP, principal at Arxis Technology, explores current security threats and discusses how the latest products and technologies can be applied to practically and effectively combat them.

In this episode, Ron Box, CPA, CITP, CFF, CISSP, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer at Joe Money Machinery Co. and Joel Lanz, CPA, CITP, CFF, CFE, CISA, CISSP, Principal of Joel Lanz, CPA, P.C., discuss and review the 2010 Top Technology Initiatives Survey Results. The initiatives included in the survey are intended to represent the CPA’s unique perspective regarding the initiatives they believe will impact financial management and the fulfillment of other fiduciary responsibilities such as safeguarding of business assets, oversight of business performance, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

In this episode, Daniel Schroeder, CPA, CITP, MBA, CISA, CIA, CISM, partner at Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, LLP, and Tommie W. Singleton, CPA, CITP, CMA, CISA, associate professor of accounting at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, discuss the upcoming IT Audit School and explain what the program will deliver and the value it will have for enrolled attendees. The program offers hands-on simulations utilizing data analysis tools presented by nationally recognized speakers with over 50 years of experience in this area, and a strong focus on risk based auditing standards.

Featured speaker, Nancy A. Cohen, CPA.CITP, CIPP discusses the considerations for safeguarding personally identifiable information. As systems and processes become more complex and sophisticated, ever more personal information are being collected. Because more data is being collected and held, personal information may be at risk to a variety of vulnerabilities, including loss, misuse, unauthorized access, and unauthorized disclosure. Reference will be made to supplemental resources available to listeners through the InfoTech website that includes an upcoming webinar that provides comprehensive guidance towards the prevention of compromise of your or your clients records or data that contain personally identifiable information.

The implementation of an Enterprise Business Intelligence (BI) framework provides value, insight and reliability of numbers to an entire organization. In this podcast, Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP and Rob Fisher, CPA.CITP discuss why CPAs are prime for getting involved in BI initiatives and touch on the terminology and methodology of a BI initiative. Learn how to improve internal decision-making through the use of BI analytics and maximize your information assets to increase profitability.

The implementation of an Enterprise Business Intelligence (BI) framework provides value, insight and reliability of numbers to an entire organization. In this feature clip, Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP and Rob Fisher, CPA.CITP provide an overview to why CPAs are prime for getting involved in BI initiatives and touch on the terminology and methodology of a BI initiative. It’s a glimpse of how internal decision-making through the use of BI analytics and maximization of your information assets can increase profitability.

CPAs' Five Key Steps toward effective advisement of a Disaster Recovery Plan and Business Continuity Management James C. Bourke, CPA.CITP and Chair of the CITP Credential Committee discusses the five key steps towards the effective management of a business continuity and disaster recovery plan. CPA’s are qualified and prime to offer business guidance and can facilitate in driving the IT portion of the business strategy through their understanding of business and technology and how the two functions are integrated.

In this episode, Randolph (Randy) P. Johnston and Mary R. MacBain, CPA/CITP discuss the value and necessity of Training and Competency within the accounting profession. As technologies evolve, employers seek to train their employees on the tools and concepts that drive efficiency and productivity within their organizations. Business and compliance requirements necessitates that CPAs continue to enhance their understanding and expertise of specific skill sets needed to excel at performing their roles for their employer or their clients. The discussion touches on current trends in training, difference between training and education, the currently deficient preparation of students for the accounting profession at the university level and industry expectations.

In this episode, David M. Cieslak, CPA/CITP, GSEC discusses the value of the AICPA Top Technology Initiatives program and presents the story behind the voting process. Listeners are introduced to the top ten technology initiatives that made this years list. This episode serves as an introduction to future installments of podcasts that will dive deeper into the various initiatives that made the top ten list. The AICPA’s Top Technology Initiatives list is intended to represent the CPA’s unique perspective regarding the initiatives the voting constituency believe will impact financial management and the fulfillment of other fiduciary responsibilities such as safeguarding of business assets, oversight of business performance, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

In Episode 8, AICPA/CICA Privacy Taskforce members, Ev Johnson, CPA (Chair) and Sagi Leizerov continue a 4-part podcast on privacy, by discussing the changing privacy landscape and the opportunities it affords CPAs in Public Practice to offer Privacy Advisory Services as a way of complementing their existing portfolio of services.

In Episode 7, AICPA/CICA Privacy Taskforce Chair, Ev Johnson, CPA and Vice-Chair Ken Askelson, CPA.CITP, CISA, CIA continue a 4-part discussion about privacy, and provide an overview of the Generally Accepted Privacy Principles (GAPP) framework; what it is, how it is constructed, and the rationale behind it.

In Episode 6, Ev Johnson, CPA and Ken Askelson, CPA.CITP, CIA discuss the shifting business and regulatory landscape with respect to Privacy, and why businesses and CPAs need to be concerned about how they collect, use, and maintain personal information.

In Episode 5, Mark Mayberry, CPA.CITP, CISA, and Rich Lanza, CPA.CITP, CFE, provide an introduction to Computer Assisted Auditing Tools and Techniques (CAATTs) and discuss how auditors and forensic accountants can use CAATTs to achieve a more thorough and efficient review of client data.

Welcome to the Top Technology Initiatives Podcast. Here in Episode 4 Barry MacQuarrie, CPA.CITP and Nancy Cohen, CPA.CITP discuss Privacy, the growing concern over the security of personal information, and steps that businesses, CPA firms and other organizations can take to ensure that their sensitive customer/client data is protected.

Welcome to the Top Technology Initiatives Podcast. Here in Episode 3, Mark Mayberry, CPA, CITP, CISA provides an overview of Risk-Based Auditing, including what will change under the new standards (SAS Nos. 104-111), how auditors can identify and address risks, and why IT has become so important to the audit.

Welcome to the Top Technology Initiatives Podcast. Here in Episode 2 we discuss Mobile and Remote Computing. Join IT thought leaders Jim Bourke, CPA.CITP, John Seale, CPA.CITP and David Ryan, CPA.CITP as they discuss the mobile and remote computing technologies that are revolutionizing the way we do work. Learn how innovative companies and public accounting firms are leveraging these technologies to maximize efficiency, productivity, customer service and work-life balance.

Welcome to the Top Technology Initiatives Podcast. Here in Episode 1 we discuss the AICPA's 2007 Top Technology Initiatives project which lists the most important technology initiatives for CPAs and IT professionals working in the field of financial management to consider in upcoming year. Join Greg LaFollette, CPA.CITP and Jim Bourke, CPA.CITP as they discuss how the list was determined, and what it means for the accounting profession. These intitiatives are going to change the way you do business.