Why Associations Are Implementing Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
By: Melissa Musser, CPA, CITP, CISA | Principal, Risk & Advisory Services For years, associations have taken a siloed approach to risk management, focusing on areas like cybersecurity. More are now widening their nets, using ERM to ensure unexpected dangers don’t derail their association. When it comes to risk management, some may think of areas…
The EU’s GDPR is Applicable to US Companies. Is Your Organization in Compliance?
By: Darren Hulem | Network Administrator Auditor GDPR, also known as General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, was a regulation passed by the European Union (EU) in 2016 aimed at data protection and privacy for individuals within the EU. Enforcement, which began on May 25, 2018, has the potential to affect companies outside of the…
Forensic Auditing and Artificial Intelligence Help Detect Fraudulent Activity
By: Mac Lillard, CPA, CFE, CITP, CISA, PCIP | GRF Audit Supervisor Fraud prevention is one of the most important aspects of an effective organizational risk management strategy. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) 2018 Report to the Nations, there were 2,690 cases of occupational fraud, resulting in $7+ billion in total…
Internal Audit is a Critical Investment for Nonprofit Organizations
By: Mark Tessar, CPA, CIA | Nonprofit Audit Supervisor By their nature, tax-exempt entities are under extraordinary scrutiny. With the IRS, external auditors, donors, watchdogs and stakeholders all analyzing their finances, nonprofit organizations must implement effective internal controls that decrease the likelihood of fraud, accounting mistakes or other inappropriate accounting practices that could impact the…
Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing Offer Tools for a Strong Security Posture
By: Darren Hulem | Network Administrator Auditor In the movies, hackers sit in front of a computer typing a few lines of code and suddenly they have access to all of the victim company’s systems. While cybercrime does not happen like it is portrayed in the movies, it has become a common theme in recent…
Increase Nonprofit Fundraising Through Effective Advocacy
By: Brandon Arrieta | Executive Director | Lambs For Life Advocacy is defined as the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal and establishes the foundation or mission for nonprofit organizations. Among some of the best-known and widely supported 501(c)(3) organizations advocating for a cause or change are the March of Dimes (healthy…
Nonprofits & Associations Should Consider Virtual Chief Information Security Officers to Meet Their Cyber Security Challenges
By: Melissa Musser, CPA, CITP, CISA | Risk & Advisory Services Principal and Darren Hulem | Network Administrator Auditor Recent data security mandates and ongoing budget pressure have pushed many nonprofits and associations to change their traditional business model to leverage a suite of cloud providers, creating a new, distributed data environment. Consequently, these organizations are…
Your Accounting Function Can Become an Organizational Asset with an Accounting Systems Assessment
By: John Pace, CPA, CVA | Partner and Director of Outsourced Accounting and Advisory Services Despite adding accounting staff and implementing new software products, many organizations struggle with significant challenges related to their accounting function. Even with adequate resources and effective leadership, they may still experience issues with providing accurate reports, timely closing of the…
Keeping Your Nonprofit’s Technology Modern, Safe and Cost-Efficient with an IT Audit
For smaller or start-up nonprofits, infrastructure elements like information technology (IT) are often small and uncomplicated allowing the greatest flexibility and economy. The bad news is that while the organization is saving money, aging IT systems lack critical security features as well as the strategic and functional advantages enjoyed by peers who have prioritized IT…
Leveraging an IT Assessment Can Protect Nonprofits from Cybercrime
“Cybercrime keeps climbing” was the key finding of the 2016 Global Economic Crime Survey recently completed by PwC. In fact, the survey results show cybercrime “jumping from 4th to 2nd place among the most-reported types of economic crimes.” While organizations are embracing new ways to make their operations digital for efficiency and effectiveness, criminals are…