Smart Stops on the Web

Voice Your Opinion
www.sarbanes-oxley-forum.com
This e-portal offers visitors who register for free the opportunity to share their experiences of complying with Sarbanes-Oxley in its discussion forum; topics include audit and IT issues, conferences and training and control methodologies. Look up the portal’s latest poll results—or vote yourself—on which stage your organization has reached with respect to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.

Time to Take Control
www.fei.org/advocacy/internal_controls.cfm
CPAs and internal audit controllers will find a full menu of links to discussions, surveys, trends and white papers on Sarbanes-Oxley at this Financial Executives International Web spot. In addition to the full text of the act, you can find SEC and PCAOB guidance and summaries of section-404-related laws. Check out the results of Pricewaterhouse- Coopers’ Barometer Surveys on the impact of Sarbanes-Oxley on private companies and not-for-profits.

For (Internal) Control Freaks
www.cfoc.gov
Managers, come to the Chief Financial Officer’s Council Web site to get the implementation guide for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-123 on your responsibilities for internal control over financial reporting. The guide comes with a detailed flowchart outlining a five-step assessment process and numerous exhibits, including one for the money spent on financial reporting activities.

In IT We Trust
www.itrb.gov
The Information Technology Resources Board (ITRB) e-stop may be meant for employees using computer systems in federal government agencies, but all IT professionals can benefit from some of the content in the Published Reports section. Titles of note include “A Balanced Approach to Managing Risk in an Unfriendly World: An Executive’s Guide.”

Tired of Commuting?
www.homebasedwork.com
Whether you’re interested in starting a home office or just want to telecommute more frequently, you can find tips here. Work-at-homers can access a jobs database and sections on getting started, money matters and doing business online. Read Home Business Myths for pitfalls to avoid, a start-up checklist and information about the tax benefits of a home business. The section on working for an employer includes advice on writing an effective rsum and preparing for an interview.

Write it Right
www.getinterviews.com
Need help punching up your rsum? Come here for a free critique, advice on marketing yourself to prospective employers and sample rsums. Learn the five mistakes that will kill your candidacy, six factors of career success and seven tips for a better rsum. Or brush up on effective interview strategies, how to project an eye-catching presence on employment Web sites or write effective cover letters.

Words on the Web
www.thefreedictionary.com
This Smart Stop works overtime not only to define a word, but also to give users antonyms, synonyms and two online encyclopedia results. A query of accounting returned five listings for the word itself plus links to other definitions associated with it, such as accrual basis and internal control, references in classic literature and links to related Web sites. This site’s home page also gives users a quotation and word of the day, as well as a word game to enhance vocabulary.

Roll Call Revisited
www.nationalpayrollweek.com
Human resources and payroll managers can get a jump on National Payroll Week for 2006 at this Web site (first listed as a Smart Stop in September 2004) to learn how to lobby for a city or state payroll week, request a proclamation or even learn the lyrics to the song, “America Works Because We’re Working for America.” Users still can find information on creating a new tax bracket, health savings accounts and qualified stock option plans, or access a paycheck calculator and W-4 assistant in the Educational Resources section.