Compliance > SOX

SOX Compliance Sarbanes-Oxley Act IT Controls

Ensure the integrity of financial reporting through robust IT controls. We help public companies design, implement, and test IT General Controls (ITGC) for SOX compliance.

Understanding SOX

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires public companies to establish and maintain internal controls over financial reporting, including the IT General Controls that support financial systems.

Section 404 mandates management assessment and external auditor attestation on internal controls. IT systems impacting financial reporting must have documented controls for access, change management, and operations.

While SOX does not impose specific technologies, it requires reliable controls that ensure accurate, complete, and timely financial data. Material weaknesses can lead to account restatements, stock price impacts, and regulatory scrutiny.

Key Requirements

Access Controls

User provisioning, authentication, authorization

Change Management

Development, testing, and production controls

IT Operations

Batch processes, interfaces, backups, monitoring

Segregation of Duties

Separation of incompatible functions

ITGC Testing

Design testing and operational effectiveness testing

Remediation

Resolution of deficiencies and control improvements

Common SOX Challenges

Public companies face constant challenges in the documentation and testing of IT controls.

Control Documentation

Creating clear, auditable documentation of ITGCs that satisfies external auditors and remains practical for IT teams.

Testing Requirements

Collecting sufficient evidence to demonstrate operational effectiveness throughout the entire year requires systematic sampling processes.

Remediation Timelines

Resolving control deficiencies and significant weaknesses before year-end closing requires a quick response and substantial changes.

Our SOX Compliance Services

Full ITGC program from scoping to testing and remediation.

ITGC Scoping & Assessment

Comprehensive evaluation of IT General Controls that support financial reporting, identifying scope boundaries and gaps.

  • Identification of systems within scope
  • Mapping of ITGC frameworks (COSO, COBIT)
  • Design effectiveness evaluation

Policy & Control Design

Development of SOX-compliant ITGC policies, procedures, and documentation for access, change, and operations management.

  • Access control policies
  • Change management documentation
  • Operations and monitoring controls

Control Testing & Evidence

Execution of testing procedures and evidence collection to demonstrate the operational effectiveness of ITGCs.

  • User access review testing
  • Change management testing
  • Evidence repository management

Deficiency Remediation

Identification and resolution of control deficiencies and material weaknesses in the IT General Controls environment.

  • Root cause analysis
  • Development of remediation plans
  • Implementation of control automation

External Auditor Support

Direct support during external financial audits, providing ITGC documentation and responding to requirements.

  • Audit request management
  • PBC (Provided by Client) list preparation
  • Management representation support

Ongoing SOX Compliance

ITGC monitoring and quarterly testing throughout the year to maintain compliance and prepare for the annual audit.

  • Quarterly control testing
  • Automation and monitoring of ITGCs
  • Annual readiness assessments

Why choose MPS for SOX compliance

Efficient Process

Optimized approach that minimizes business disruption

Comprehensive Support

From initial assessment to continuous compliance

Proprietary Methodology

Structured and proven framework for SOX compliance