knowledge center Business process improvement To help finance professionals gain a better understanding of business process improvement, we've compiled information on five areas that companies are currently working on to create more efficient processes: ERP optimization; automation and outsourcing; rapid product rollout; reducing operational risk; and strategic sourcing.  Read on for more. Stemming the tide of CPA burnout The Sarbanes-Oxley approach to corporate reform has been well documented by now, with much of the attention devoted to the Section 404 requirement to assess internal controls. Both companies and their auditors are responsible for establishing and reviewing systems to make sure they are in compliance. Read on for more. The next decade's talent war: is your company prepared to keep the best & brightest? With the recent heated debate about jobs moving overseas to countries with lower labor costs such as China, India and Eastern Europe, who would think that within the next decade there is high potential for a significant shortage of workers in the United States, possibly creating a crisis? Read on for more intriguing insights. Making ethics a core competency. Tips for operating in an era of heightened scrutiny. Accounting and financial professionals today are operating in an era of heightened scrutiny from auditors, investors, boards, regulators, and even to a certain extent, their own companies. As a result, public and private companies alike must keep a close account of all appropriate financials and internal controls to assure proper protocols are followed. Read on for more. Keeping a lid on compliance costs. The positive aspects of the raft of new accounting and financial reporting regulations are numerous. Companies say internal controls are now far stronger, with the likelihood of material misstatements moving forward greatly reduced. However, compliance activities - particularly those relating to Sarbanes-Oxley - represent one of the largest and most immediate opportunities for companies to reduce costs. Read on for more insights. Five traits of highly effective accounting & finance pros. As you know, the key to building and maintaining a strong finance department is creating a team of skilled and motivated individuals. While it may sound simple, in reality this can be a challenge. Fortunately, ACLIVITY has practical suggestions you can incorporate into your hiring process to help you build the team that best fits your needs. Read on for some helpful advice on evaluating where the real talent lies. Capitalizing on compliance.  Making SOX work for your company. An exclusive white paper report on how finance executives can capitalize on SOX compliance and deliver long-term return on investment for their organization.  Read on for more. Internal controls: from SOX 404 compliance to mastery To help companies advance from a compliance-based approach to Sarbanes-Oxley to a performance-driven one, we identified key areas in which to help build the right mindset among finance staff. Read on to learn how to improve your team and make SOX investments pay off. www.aclivity.com For more information: phone. 720.232.3111 email. info@aclivity.com