PricewaterhouseCoopers Systems and Process Assurance (SPA)

1. Opportunities for Accounting Information Systems (AIS) Majors Please take a look at these slides by PwC and contact Professor Saeed sroohani@bryant.edu with your questions PricewaterhouseCoopers Systems and Process Assurance (SPA)

2. what is spa? • SPA stands for Systems and Process Assurance • SPA is an important component in our assurance practice • SPA assesses the design and operation of business process and information technology controls • SPA assists the financial audit teams in evaluating the impact of control effectiveness on the financial audit 2

3. client questions and challenges • How do I obtain assurance that evolving technologies are effectively controlled? • How do I provide assurance to third parties? • How do I assure compliance with regulatory and contractual obligations? • How do I assure my external audit appropriately addresses control risk? • How do I comply with §404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act? 3

4. risks clients must manage • Loss of control due to ineffective use of new technologies and business models • Lost opportunities due to lack of confidence by business partners • Fines, penalties and litigation due to non-compliance with regulatory and contractual commitments • Loss of market confidence due to restatement of financials 4

5. impact of sarbanes-oxley • The Sarbanes-Oxley Act has made it mandatory for clients to assess the effectiveness of their internal controls and procedures. • The demand for SPA’s expertise has increased dramatically in the past two years as clients worked to meet the requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley • PwC has become the leader in handling Section 404 readiness projects. • Clients realize the importance of assessing their controls risk which is making the SPA practice essential to their business 5

6. spa associates on the job… Every day will vary as a SPA professional! Here are some examples of associate responsibilities… • Interview clients on business processes and procedures • Perform tests of controls • Identify control risk • Communicate findings to client management team 6

7. appropriate candidate backgrounds • SPA professionals typically have educational backgrounds in: • Accounting Information Systems (AIS) • Dual majors in Accounting and MIS • Accounting • MIS (with additional classes or strong interest in accounting theory and methodologies.) 7

8. why join spa? • You are an accounting major who is also interested in information technology • You are a MIS major who wants to analyze systems and enjoys accounting (rather than programming or technology support) • You enjoy financial statement accounting but want exposure to business process and risk management • You’re looking to join a group with major client and people expansion • PwC has the largest assurance and systems audit practice 8

9. training and development • All SPA new hires will attend our 2 week national training program • Training will focus on accounting principles, risk and controls and client procedures • Continuous training is offered throughout your career through various venues • Professional certifications are encouraged (CPA, CISA) 9

10. spa commitment to excellence • SPA is committed to invest in and focus on services, methodology, tools and personal development. • SPA will provide you the opportunity to apply your skills to a variety of interesting engagements. • Our strong commitment to industry alignment, will enable you to personally develop industry knowledge • SPA professionals are a part of an innovative practice that is aggressively growing both new and existing services 10

11. clients risks that may occur… explore yourself Now that you’ve learned something about us, tell us something about you. Visit our website at www.pwc.com/lookhere and complete our Online Career Profile, your direct link to PwC, your way to learn more about us and your first step to a rewarding career. 6 11