The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) Framework is widely accepted for assessing internal control requirements set forth by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. One component of internal control is the "Control Environment" that exists within the company. The Control Environment is what sets the tone of an organizational and influences the extent to which employees are aware of internal controls.

Given that the Control Environment is based on the perceptions of employees within the company, an excellent way to assess the Control Environment is through an anonymous survey of those employees with respect to issues related to the Control Environment. Consequently, Stanard & Associates, Inc. has developed the Sarbanes-Oxley Leadership Survey for the purpose of measuring the strength of the Control Environment within a company. The Control Environment sets the overall tone of an organization and is based on the following sub-components:

1. Integrity and Ethical Values

2. Commitment to the Competence and Development of People

3. Management's Philosophy and Operating Style

4. Organizational Structure

5. Assignment of Authority and Responsibility

6. Human Resources Policies and Procedures

7. Participation by Those Charged with Governance

The Sarbanes-Oxley Leadership Survey is administered to senior managers, and finance and IT managers since they are most closely associated with the Control Environment. Most survey questions are provided to all participants, but some are presented to certain respondents based on their job level or function. Stanard & Associates, Inc. conducts the survey to maintain employee anonymity and confidentiality of responses. Stanard & Associates delivers survey invitations directly to respondent's e-mail inboxes. Stanard assures employees that their responses will be anonymous and completely confidential. No one from the company will ever see their answers. As a result, an honest assessment of the Control Environment can be obtained to ensure the organization is setting a tone that is conducive of sound internal controls.

Please contact Stanard & Associates, Inc. toll free at 1-800-367-6919 for more information or to set up a Sarbanes-Oxley Leadership Survey.