SOX.1.25:

2. Risk: Third party service providers may not meet business, compliance and regulatory needs of the business inducing risk.

a. SOX.1.25 Procedures exist and are followed that include requirements that a formal contract be defined and agreed upon for third-party services before work is initiated, including definition of internal control requirements and acceptance of the organization’s policies and procedures.

Testing Procedures

Review a sample of contracts and determine whether:

1. There is a definition of services to be performed

2. The responsibilities for the controls over financial reporting systems have been adequately defined

3. The third party has accepted compliance with the organization’s policies and procedures, e.g., security policies and procedures

4. The contracts were reviewed and signed by appropriate parties before work commenced

5. The controls over financial reporting systems and subsystems described in the contract agree with those required by the organization Review gaps, if any, and consider further analysis to determine the impact on financial reporting.

Testing Frequency

Annually

Evidence Archive Location

Insert hyperlink or location of evidence archive.

Control Stewards Process Narrative

Provide control steward commentary indicating the formal methodology in place.

Control Steward – Jane Manager

Process Illustration

Replace this test by inserting a process diagram, flowchart or other visual representation to illustrate the process narrative as necessary. Include a brief description of the process illustration.

Control Status and Auditors Commentary

The control is effective.

File:Greenlock.jpg

Status is acceptable.

Control Exception Commentary

Status is acceptable.

Remediation Plan

Remediation is not required at this time.