Mastering SOC 1 Compliance A Comprehensive Guide for Financial Controls and Audits
You're not just managing financial systems. You're guarding your organisation’s credibility, protecting client trust, and ensuring regulatory survival. One misstep in control design or audit preparation can cost millions, damage reputation, and even end contracts. The pressure is real - tight deadlines, complex frameworks, auditors who demand precision. And if you're not 100% confident in every control assertion, you’re one report away from being questioned at board level. You don’t need theory. You need a battle-tested roadmap that walks you from confusion to command - a system so clear, so precise, that within weeks you can map controls with confidence, justify design choices, and lead audits with authority. That’s exactly what Mastering SOC 1 Compliance A Comprehensive Guide for Financial Controls and Audits delivers. This isn’t about surviving your next audit. It’s about thriving - turning SOC 1 into a strategic advantage. Imagine walking into your next client review with a fully documented, logically structured control environment that auditors praise, not question. Clients will trust you more. Contracts will renew faster. And you’ll be seen not as a compliance officer, but as a risk strategist. Take Sarah K., Senior Internal Controls Manager at a mid-sized fintech firm. After completing this course, she led her first full SOC 1 engagement in-house - a process her company previously outsourced for $87,000 annually. Within 60 days, she delivered a Type II report accepted by her top four clients, saving her company six figures and earning her a promotion. She didn’t have prior audit experience. She had this course. From zero clarity to total control mastery in 30 days - that’s the promise. You’ll build a complete, audit-ready framework from the ground up, aligning with AICPA standards and ready for real-world scrutiny. This course gives you more than knowledge. It gives you leverage. Leverage in negotiations. Leverage in promotions. Leverage in credibility. Here’s how this course is structured to help you get there.Course Format & Delivery Details Fully Self-Paced, Immediate Online Access
You take full control of your learning journey. This course is self-paced, on-demand, and designed for professionals like you - already busy, already accountable. There are no fixed dates, no mandatory live sessions, and no time commitments. Start today, progress tonight, or begin next week. Your schedule. Your pace. Typical Completion & Real Results Timeline
Most learners complete the program in 4 to 6 weeks with 5 to 7 hours per week of focused engagement. Many report actionable insights within the first 72 hours - including control gap identification, auditor-ready documentation templates, and actionable risk assessment frameworks they apply immediately. Lifetime Access & Ongoing Updates
Enrol once, access for life. Your investment includes unlimited future updates at no extra cost. SOC 1 standards evolve. AICPA guidance shifts. Your access evolves with it. You’ll receive all updates automatically, ensuring your knowledge stays current, compliant, and competitive - forever. Global 24/7 Access & Mobile-Friendly Design
Whether you're in London, Singapore, or New York, access is seamless. The platform is fully responsive, works on any device - smartphone, tablet, laptop - and requires only an internet connection. Review control matrices on your commute. Refine documentation between meetings. Learn when it suits you. Instructor Support & Expert Guidance
You’re not alone. This course includes direct access to compliance professionals with 15+ years of SOC 1 audit and design experience. Submit questions via secure messaging and receive detailed, personalised responses within 48 business hours. Support is practical, not automated - focused on real-world scenarios, not canned answers. Certificate of Completion Issued by The Art of Service
Upon successful completion, you will earn a Certificate of Completion issued by The Art of Service - a globally recognised leader in professional compliance and audit training. This certificate is verifiable, career-advancing, and trusted by firms across financial services, SaaS, cloud infrastructure, and regulated fintech. Employers know it. Auditors respect it. You’ll include it on your LinkedIn, CV, and client-facing profiles with pride. Transparent Pricing, No Hidden Fees
The price is straightforward. One flat fee. No subscriptions. No surprise charges. What you see is what you get - lifetime access, 24/7 support, the full curriculum, and your certificate. No upsells. Accepted Payment Methods
We accept Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal. Secure, encrypted transactions ensure your financial data is protected. No payment method barriers. Just simple, trusted processing. 100% Money-Back Guarantee (Satisfied or Refunded)
Your risk is eliminated. If this course doesn’t meet your expectations, you are eligible for a full refund within 30 days of enrolment - no questions asked, no friction. This is our promise of value. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. What to Expect After Enrollment
After enrolment, you’ll receive a confirmation email acknowledging your registration. Once your course materials are ready, your access credentials and login details will be sent separately. This ensures a smooth onboarding experience and readiness for all content deliveries. “Will This Work for Me?” - Addressing Your Biggest Concern
You might be thinking: “I’m not a CPA.” “I work in tech, not accounting.” “My company is small, or newly regulated.” This course works even if you’ve never written a control, attended an audit meeting, or held formal compliance responsibility. It’s been used successfully by software engineers building compliant SaaS platforms, internal auditors transitioning to SOC roles, and finance managers in fast-growing startups preparing for their first report. Seventy-three percent of enrollees come in with less than two years of compliance experience. All report a significant increase in confidence, and 91% apply course tools within two weeks. Why? Because this isn’t abstract. It’s practical, step-by-step, and engineered for real results - regardless of your title, industry, or background. You’re not just buying a course. You’re investing in a risk-reversed, future-proofed, confidence-building system that pays back in saved costs, faster audits, and career advancement. The safety is built in. The value is guaranteed. The next move is yours.
Module 1: Foundations of SOC 1 Compliance - Understanding SOC 1: Definition, purpose, and regulatory context
- Differentiating SOC 1 from SOC 2, SOC 3, and ISO 27001
- The critical role of SOC 1 in financial reporting and client assurance
- Overview of AICPA and its role in governing SOC standards
- Key stakeholders in a SOC 1 engagement: management, auditors, users
- Defining Service Organisations and User Organisations
- When and why SOC 1 reports are required
- The difference between Type I and Type II reports
- Common misconceptions and myths about SOC 1 compliance
- Understanding the auditor’s scope and expectations
- Role of internal vs. external auditors in the process
- How SOC 1 supports business growth and client trust
- Mapping SOC 1 to customer RFPs and due diligence requirements
- Regulatory and contractual triggers for SOC 1 adoption
- Creating a business case for SOC 1 implementation
- Identifying organisational readiness: capabilities and gaps
- Building buy-in across finance, IT, and executive leadership
- Establishing the project team and ownership model
- Common pitfalls in early stage SOC 1 preparation
- Benchmarking against industry peers and compliance maturity
Module 2: The SOC 1 Framework and Trust Services Criteria - Introduction to the AICPA Trust Services Criteria (TSC)
- Breakdown of the five Trust Service Categories (security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, privacy)
- Why only security and financial-specific criteria apply in SOC 1
- Mapping financial reporting objectives to control requirements
- Understanding the COSO Internal Control Framework as a foundation
- Integrating COSO principles with SOC 1 design logic
- Differentiating between suitability of design and operating effectiveness
- How TSC criteria translate into audit evidence
- Defining “relevance to financial reporting” in SOC 1 context
- Control focus areas for payroll, billing, banking, and transaction systems
- Date and time stamping requirements in financial processes
- Segregation of duties in financial control environments
- Unauthorised access as a core financial risk
- The relationship between IT general controls (ITGCs) and application controls
- Data integrity and processing accuracy standards
- Reporting accuracy and timeliness benchmarks
- Handling exceptions and manual adjustments securely
- Using flowcharts to visualise control environments
- Digital tools for documenting financial control designs
- Developing a control philosophy aligned with organisational culture
Module 3: Identifying and Scoping Financial Systems and Processes - Conducting a financial process inventory audit
- Mapping systems involved in financial reporting (ERP, billing, payroll, banking)
- Identifying critical transaction paths and data flows
- Determining which systems require SOC 1 coverage
- Setting boundaries: in-scope vs. out-of-scope systems
- Considering third-party vendors in your scope
- Assessing cloud-based financial applications for compliance
- Evaluating hybrid and on-premises environments
- Documenting system interfaces and integration points
- Using process maps to show financial data end-to-end
- Identifying key system owners and process stewards
- Defining system inputs, transformations, and outputs
- Quantifying transaction volumes and financial exposure
- Assessing system resilience and failover mechanisms
- Determining system access levels and user types
- Establishing data ownership and custody protocols
- Documenting all software versions and patch levels
- Handling legacy systems in the SOC 1 environment
- Planning for future system changes during reporting period
- Creating a system scope validation checklist
Module 4: Control Identification and Risk Assessment - Conducting a financial control risk assessment
- Identifying risks to financial reporting accuracy
- Using risk matrices to prioritise control focus
- Defining inherent vs. residual risk
- Assessing likelihood and impact of control failures
- Mapping risks to specific financial processes (e.g. revenue recognition)
- Control identification for automated vs. manual processes
- Detecting missing, weak, or redundant controls
- Linking control activities to fraud prevention
- Ensuring controls address unauthorised changes or deletions
- Role of reconciliation processes in control design
- Validating authorisation policies and approval workflows
- Monitoring batch processing controls
- Designing controls for system backups and recovery
- Incorporating audit trail and logging requirements
- Control considerations for administrator access
- Preventing duplicate payments or transactions
- Ensuring accurate foreign currency conversion
- Handling system cutovers and data migrations
- Documenting control rationale for auditor review
Module 5: Control Design and Documentation - Writing clear, concise, and audit-ready control objectives
- Defining control activities with specific, measurable actions
- Using standard control language for consistency and clarity
- Structure of a control: objective, activity, owner, frequency
- Best practices for documenting automated controls
- Documenting manual and supervisory controls effectively
- Assigning control ownership and accountability
- Incorporating control frequency (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Designing compensating controls for gap remediation
- Control documentation templates and examples
- Drafting control narratives for auditor presentation
- Aligning control descriptions with AICPA standards
- Using screenshots, diagrams, and workflow charts
- Version control for documentation updates
- Secure storage and access controls for documentation
- Creating a master control register
- Mapping controls to risk and TSC criteria
- Documenting IT general controls (password policies, change management)
- Including evidence retention policies
- Integrating SOC 1 documentation with internal audit files
Module 6: IT General Controls (ITGCs) in Financial Systems - Understanding the role of ITGCs in SOC 1 compliance
- Access controls: user provisioning and deactivation
- Role-based access control (RBAC) design and validation
- Password complexity and expiry policies
- Multifactor authentication (MFA) requirements
- Privileged access management and monitoring
- Regular access reviews and attestation processes
- Segregation of duties in system permissions
- Change management controls for application and system updates
- Emergency change procedures and documentation
- Backup and recovery controls for financial systems
- Backup frequency, retention, and restoration testing
- Logging and monitoring: what needs to be logged
- Centralised log management and review frequency
- System monitoring for unauthorised access attempts
- Network security controls supporting financial systems
- Firewall and intrusion detection systems
- Endpoint security and antivirus policies
- Physical security of data centres and server rooms
- Disaster recovery and business continuity planning links
Module 7: Application Controls for Financial Transactions - User authentication and authorisation at the application level
- Input validation controls (e.g. preventing invalid entries)
- Automated approval workflows for transactions
- Controls for payment processing systems
- Preventing duplicate invoice submissions
- Revenue recognition control points
- Controls for payroll accuracy and compliance
- Bank reconciliation automation and oversight
- Journal entry controls and approval hierarchies
- Batch control and balancing procedures
- Handling exception reports and error resolution
- Controls for foreign exchange rate application
- System-generated financial reports and their validation
- Manual journal entry review processes
- Automated matching of invoices, POs, and receipts
- Controls for discount and rebate processing
- Preventing unauthorised customer account adjustments
- Controls for recurring billing systems
- Handling customer credit and refund requests
- Automated controls for subscription revenue calculations
Module 8: Evidence Collection and Retention - Defining what constitutes sufficient audit evidence
- Types of evidence: logs, screenshots, reports, attestations
- Automated vs. manual evidence collection methods
- Setting evidence retention periods (Type I vs Type II)
- Storing evidence in a secure, tamper-evident manner
- Using digital timestamping for authenticity
- Organising evidence by control and test objective
- Sampling strategies for evidence review
- Preparing exception logs and resolution documentation
- Documentation of user access reviews
- Change request tickets and approval records
- Backup restoration test results
- Audit trail exports and review logs
- Security incident reports and response actions
- Certifications and attestations from third parties
- Vendor risk assessments and contracts
- Disaster recovery test results
- System uptime and availability reports
- Training completion records
- Self-inspection and internal review checklists
Module 9: Preparing for the Auditor Engagement - Selecting the right CPA firm for your SOC 1 audit
- Understanding auditor independence and scope limitations
- Preparing the auditor package: what to include
- Drafting the management assertion letter
- Providing auditor access to systems and documentation
- Setting up secure data sharing portals
- Scheduling walkthroughs and control demonstrations
- Preparing teams for auditor interviews
- Anticipating common auditor questions and concerns
- Creating an auditor contact and escalation protocol
- Managing auditor requests efficiently
- Handling auditor findings and deficiency reports
- Drafting formal responses to auditor comments
- Preparing remediation plans for control gaps
- Tracking auditor timelines and deliverables
- Understanding the auditor’s testing procedures
- Differentiating between walkthroughs and reperformance
- Preparing for sample testing and data requests
- Ensuring all evidence is pre-organised
- Running internal dry runs before auditor arrival
Module 10: Managing a Successful Type I Report - Differences between Type I and Type II objectives
- Focusing on suitability of design for Type I
- Demonstrating control existence and design logic
- Preparing narrative descriptions for Type I
- Submitting evidence of control implementation
- Handling auditor walkthroughs effectively
- Addressing design deficiencies quickly
- Common Type I findings and how to avoid them
- Understanding the opinion letter and its components
- Communicating results to internal stakeholders
- Using Type I as a foundation for Type II
- Meeting client needs with a Type I report
- Marketing your Type I achievement to prospects
- Responding to client questions about Type I scope
- Updating sales and customer success teams
- Creating a public-facing summary report
- Handling confidentiality and report distribution
- Storing the report securely with access controls
- Planning next steps after Type I certification
- Building momentum for ongoing compliance culture
Module 11: Building and Sustaining a Type II Reporting Environment - Transitioning from Type I to Type II readiness
- Setting the 6- to 12-month reporting period
- Ensuring consistent control execution throughout the period
- Training teams on control performance consistency
- Monitoring controls for fidelity and adherence
- Conducting periodic internal control checks
- Using internal audits to validate operating effectiveness
- Managing personnel changes without control lapses
- Automating control execution where possible
- Handling system changes mid-reporting period
- Documenting changes and reassessing control design
- Proving control operation on a regular basis
- Collecting time-stamped evidence continuously
- Preparing for extended auditor fieldwork
- Responding to extended sampling requirements
- Analysing control exceptions and root causes
- Implementing corrective actions promptly
- Demonstrating management’s monitoring activities
- Using dashboards to track control health
- Preparing for the final auditor evaluation
Module 12: Handling Deficiencies, Exceptions, and Findings - Classifying deficiencies: control, design, operating
- Distinguishing between material weaknesses and minor gaps
- Drafting formal responses to auditor findings
- Developing root cause analyses for control failures
- Creating corrective action plans (CAPs)
- Setting remediation timelines and milestones
- Assigning ownership for deficiency closure
- Validating remediation through retesting
- Documenting resolution for auditor acceptance
- Learning from exceptions to strengthen controls
- Building a culture of continuous improvement
- Using findings to justify compliance investment
- Communicating remediation to stakeholders
- Preventing recurrence with system improvements
- Involving vendors in deficiency resolution
- Escalating unresolved issues to leadership
- Reporting on deficiency trends over time
- Integrating lessons into employee training
- Updating risk assessments based on findings
- Using findings as feedback for future audits
Module 13: Report Finalisation and Distribution - Reviewing the draft SOC 1 report with internal counsel
- Understanding the structure of the final report
- Including the opinion letter, management assertion
- Providing the description of the system
- Presenting the control objectives and activities
- Detailing the tests of controls and results
- Addressing any explanatory paragraphs
- Determining distribution strategy: full vs summary
- Controlling access to the report document
- Setting up secure client sharing portals
- Using NDAs and confidentiality agreements
- Redacting sensitive information when necessary
- Training customer success and sales teams
- Responding to client questions about the report
- Using the report in marketing and proposals
- Updating LinkedIn and corporate website
- Distributing internally to board and investors
- Archiving reports for future audits
- Planning for next year’s report
- Conducting a post-mortem review
Module 14: Advanced Topics in SOC 1 Compliance - SOC 1 in multi-entity and global organisations
- Handling subsidiaries and different jurisdictions
- Dealing with multiple auditors or consolidated reports
- Using shadow systems and manual workarounds securely
- Compliance in M&A scenarios and integrations
- SOC 1 for SaaS and cloud-native financial platforms
- Managing compliance in agile development environments
- Automating SOC 1 control testing with software
- Using GRC platforms for centralised control management
- Integrating SOC 1 with other compliance efforts
- Aligning SOC 1 with SOX, GDPR, and privacy laws
- Using artificial intelligence in control monitoring
- Handling cryptocurrency and digital asset controls
- Compliance in decentralised finance (DeFi) adjacent services
- Ensuring third-party assurance for API partners
- Managing subcontractor compliance (sub-processor rules)
- Dealing with regulator inquiries based on SOC reports
- Preparing for surprise inspections or follow-ups
- Using predictive analytics for control risk
- Building a compliance roadmap for the next three years
Module 15: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Completing your final course assessment
- Submitting your project for verification
- Receiving your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service
- Adding certification to LinkedIn and professional profiles
- Using certification in job applications and interviews
- Positioning yourself as a compliance leader
- Transitioning into internal audit, risk, or GRC roles
- Becoming a SOC 1 point person in your organisation
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Training others using course materials
- Developing internal compliance workshops
- Creating a repeatable SOC 1 methodology
- Planning for SOC 2 or other reports next
- Staying updated via The Art of Service resources
- Joining a community of certified professionals
- Accessing exclusive templates and tools
- Using gamified progress tracking for motivation
- Earning digital badges for each completed module
- Setting personal milestones and career goals
- Building a long-term audit and risk strategy
- Understanding SOC 1: Definition, purpose, and regulatory context
- Differentiating SOC 1 from SOC 2, SOC 3, and ISO 27001
- The critical role of SOC 1 in financial reporting and client assurance
- Overview of AICPA and its role in governing SOC standards
- Key stakeholders in a SOC 1 engagement: management, auditors, users
- Defining Service Organisations and User Organisations
- When and why SOC 1 reports are required
- The difference between Type I and Type II reports
- Common misconceptions and myths about SOC 1 compliance
- Understanding the auditor’s scope and expectations
- Role of internal vs. external auditors in the process
- How SOC 1 supports business growth and client trust
- Mapping SOC 1 to customer RFPs and due diligence requirements
- Regulatory and contractual triggers for SOC 1 adoption
- Creating a business case for SOC 1 implementation
- Identifying organisational readiness: capabilities and gaps
- Building buy-in across finance, IT, and executive leadership
- Establishing the project team and ownership model
- Common pitfalls in early stage SOC 1 preparation
- Benchmarking against industry peers and compliance maturity
Module 2: The SOC 1 Framework and Trust Services Criteria - Introduction to the AICPA Trust Services Criteria (TSC)
- Breakdown of the five Trust Service Categories (security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, privacy)
- Why only security and financial-specific criteria apply in SOC 1
- Mapping financial reporting objectives to control requirements
- Understanding the COSO Internal Control Framework as a foundation
- Integrating COSO principles with SOC 1 design logic
- Differentiating between suitability of design and operating effectiveness
- How TSC criteria translate into audit evidence
- Defining “relevance to financial reporting” in SOC 1 context
- Control focus areas for payroll, billing, banking, and transaction systems
- Date and time stamping requirements in financial processes
- Segregation of duties in financial control environments
- Unauthorised access as a core financial risk
- The relationship between IT general controls (ITGCs) and application controls
- Data integrity and processing accuracy standards
- Reporting accuracy and timeliness benchmarks
- Handling exceptions and manual adjustments securely
- Using flowcharts to visualise control environments
- Digital tools for documenting financial control designs
- Developing a control philosophy aligned with organisational culture
Module 3: Identifying and Scoping Financial Systems and Processes - Conducting a financial process inventory audit
- Mapping systems involved in financial reporting (ERP, billing, payroll, banking)
- Identifying critical transaction paths and data flows
- Determining which systems require SOC 1 coverage
- Setting boundaries: in-scope vs. out-of-scope systems
- Considering third-party vendors in your scope
- Assessing cloud-based financial applications for compliance
- Evaluating hybrid and on-premises environments
- Documenting system interfaces and integration points
- Using process maps to show financial data end-to-end
- Identifying key system owners and process stewards
- Defining system inputs, transformations, and outputs
- Quantifying transaction volumes and financial exposure
- Assessing system resilience and failover mechanisms
- Determining system access levels and user types
- Establishing data ownership and custody protocols
- Documenting all software versions and patch levels
- Handling legacy systems in the SOC 1 environment
- Planning for future system changes during reporting period
- Creating a system scope validation checklist
Module 4: Control Identification and Risk Assessment - Conducting a financial control risk assessment
- Identifying risks to financial reporting accuracy
- Using risk matrices to prioritise control focus
- Defining inherent vs. residual risk
- Assessing likelihood and impact of control failures
- Mapping risks to specific financial processes (e.g. revenue recognition)
- Control identification for automated vs. manual processes
- Detecting missing, weak, or redundant controls
- Linking control activities to fraud prevention
- Ensuring controls address unauthorised changes or deletions
- Role of reconciliation processes in control design
- Validating authorisation policies and approval workflows
- Monitoring batch processing controls
- Designing controls for system backups and recovery
- Incorporating audit trail and logging requirements
- Control considerations for administrator access
- Preventing duplicate payments or transactions
- Ensuring accurate foreign currency conversion
- Handling system cutovers and data migrations
- Documenting control rationale for auditor review
Module 5: Control Design and Documentation - Writing clear, concise, and audit-ready control objectives
- Defining control activities with specific, measurable actions
- Using standard control language for consistency and clarity
- Structure of a control: objective, activity, owner, frequency
- Best practices for documenting automated controls
- Documenting manual and supervisory controls effectively
- Assigning control ownership and accountability
- Incorporating control frequency (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Designing compensating controls for gap remediation
- Control documentation templates and examples
- Drafting control narratives for auditor presentation
- Aligning control descriptions with AICPA standards
- Using screenshots, diagrams, and workflow charts
- Version control for documentation updates
- Secure storage and access controls for documentation
- Creating a master control register
- Mapping controls to risk and TSC criteria
- Documenting IT general controls (password policies, change management)
- Including evidence retention policies
- Integrating SOC 1 documentation with internal audit files
Module 6: IT General Controls (ITGCs) in Financial Systems - Understanding the role of ITGCs in SOC 1 compliance
- Access controls: user provisioning and deactivation
- Role-based access control (RBAC) design and validation
- Password complexity and expiry policies
- Multifactor authentication (MFA) requirements
- Privileged access management and monitoring
- Regular access reviews and attestation processes
- Segregation of duties in system permissions
- Change management controls for application and system updates
- Emergency change procedures and documentation
- Backup and recovery controls for financial systems
- Backup frequency, retention, and restoration testing
- Logging and monitoring: what needs to be logged
- Centralised log management and review frequency
- System monitoring for unauthorised access attempts
- Network security controls supporting financial systems
- Firewall and intrusion detection systems
- Endpoint security and antivirus policies
- Physical security of data centres and server rooms
- Disaster recovery and business continuity planning links
Module 7: Application Controls for Financial Transactions - User authentication and authorisation at the application level
- Input validation controls (e.g. preventing invalid entries)
- Automated approval workflows for transactions
- Controls for payment processing systems
- Preventing duplicate invoice submissions
- Revenue recognition control points
- Controls for payroll accuracy and compliance
- Bank reconciliation automation and oversight
- Journal entry controls and approval hierarchies
- Batch control and balancing procedures
- Handling exception reports and error resolution
- Controls for foreign exchange rate application
- System-generated financial reports and their validation
- Manual journal entry review processes
- Automated matching of invoices, POs, and receipts
- Controls for discount and rebate processing
- Preventing unauthorised customer account adjustments
- Controls for recurring billing systems
- Handling customer credit and refund requests
- Automated controls for subscription revenue calculations
Module 8: Evidence Collection and Retention - Defining what constitutes sufficient audit evidence
- Types of evidence: logs, screenshots, reports, attestations
- Automated vs. manual evidence collection methods
- Setting evidence retention periods (Type I vs Type II)
- Storing evidence in a secure, tamper-evident manner
- Using digital timestamping for authenticity
- Organising evidence by control and test objective
- Sampling strategies for evidence review
- Preparing exception logs and resolution documentation
- Documentation of user access reviews
- Change request tickets and approval records
- Backup restoration test results
- Audit trail exports and review logs
- Security incident reports and response actions
- Certifications and attestations from third parties
- Vendor risk assessments and contracts
- Disaster recovery test results
- System uptime and availability reports
- Training completion records
- Self-inspection and internal review checklists
Module 9: Preparing for the Auditor Engagement - Selecting the right CPA firm for your SOC 1 audit
- Understanding auditor independence and scope limitations
- Preparing the auditor package: what to include
- Drafting the management assertion letter
- Providing auditor access to systems and documentation
- Setting up secure data sharing portals
- Scheduling walkthroughs and control demonstrations
- Preparing teams for auditor interviews
- Anticipating common auditor questions and concerns
- Creating an auditor contact and escalation protocol
- Managing auditor requests efficiently
- Handling auditor findings and deficiency reports
- Drafting formal responses to auditor comments
- Preparing remediation plans for control gaps
- Tracking auditor timelines and deliverables
- Understanding the auditor’s testing procedures
- Differentiating between walkthroughs and reperformance
- Preparing for sample testing and data requests
- Ensuring all evidence is pre-organised
- Running internal dry runs before auditor arrival
Module 10: Managing a Successful Type I Report - Differences between Type I and Type II objectives
- Focusing on suitability of design for Type I
- Demonstrating control existence and design logic
- Preparing narrative descriptions for Type I
- Submitting evidence of control implementation
- Handling auditor walkthroughs effectively
- Addressing design deficiencies quickly
- Common Type I findings and how to avoid them
- Understanding the opinion letter and its components
- Communicating results to internal stakeholders
- Using Type I as a foundation for Type II
- Meeting client needs with a Type I report
- Marketing your Type I achievement to prospects
- Responding to client questions about Type I scope
- Updating sales and customer success teams
- Creating a public-facing summary report
- Handling confidentiality and report distribution
- Storing the report securely with access controls
- Planning next steps after Type I certification
- Building momentum for ongoing compliance culture
Module 11: Building and Sustaining a Type II Reporting Environment - Transitioning from Type I to Type II readiness
- Setting the 6- to 12-month reporting period
- Ensuring consistent control execution throughout the period
- Training teams on control performance consistency
- Monitoring controls for fidelity and adherence
- Conducting periodic internal control checks
- Using internal audits to validate operating effectiveness
- Managing personnel changes without control lapses
- Automating control execution where possible
- Handling system changes mid-reporting period
- Documenting changes and reassessing control design
- Proving control operation on a regular basis
- Collecting time-stamped evidence continuously
- Preparing for extended auditor fieldwork
- Responding to extended sampling requirements
- Analysing control exceptions and root causes
- Implementing corrective actions promptly
- Demonstrating management’s monitoring activities
- Using dashboards to track control health
- Preparing for the final auditor evaluation
Module 12: Handling Deficiencies, Exceptions, and Findings - Classifying deficiencies: control, design, operating
- Distinguishing between material weaknesses and minor gaps
- Drafting formal responses to auditor findings
- Developing root cause analyses for control failures
- Creating corrective action plans (CAPs)
- Setting remediation timelines and milestones
- Assigning ownership for deficiency closure
- Validating remediation through retesting
- Documenting resolution for auditor acceptance
- Learning from exceptions to strengthen controls
- Building a culture of continuous improvement
- Using findings to justify compliance investment
- Communicating remediation to stakeholders
- Preventing recurrence with system improvements
- Involving vendors in deficiency resolution
- Escalating unresolved issues to leadership
- Reporting on deficiency trends over time
- Integrating lessons into employee training
- Updating risk assessments based on findings
- Using findings as feedback for future audits
Module 13: Report Finalisation and Distribution - Reviewing the draft SOC 1 report with internal counsel
- Understanding the structure of the final report
- Including the opinion letter, management assertion
- Providing the description of the system
- Presenting the control objectives and activities
- Detailing the tests of controls and results
- Addressing any explanatory paragraphs
- Determining distribution strategy: full vs summary
- Controlling access to the report document
- Setting up secure client sharing portals
- Using NDAs and confidentiality agreements
- Redacting sensitive information when necessary
- Training customer success and sales teams
- Responding to client questions about the report
- Using the report in marketing and proposals
- Updating LinkedIn and corporate website
- Distributing internally to board and investors
- Archiving reports for future audits
- Planning for next year’s report
- Conducting a post-mortem review
Module 14: Advanced Topics in SOC 1 Compliance - SOC 1 in multi-entity and global organisations
- Handling subsidiaries and different jurisdictions
- Dealing with multiple auditors or consolidated reports
- Using shadow systems and manual workarounds securely
- Compliance in M&A scenarios and integrations
- SOC 1 for SaaS and cloud-native financial platforms
- Managing compliance in agile development environments
- Automating SOC 1 control testing with software
- Using GRC platforms for centralised control management
- Integrating SOC 1 with other compliance efforts
- Aligning SOC 1 with SOX, GDPR, and privacy laws
- Using artificial intelligence in control monitoring
- Handling cryptocurrency and digital asset controls
- Compliance in decentralised finance (DeFi) adjacent services
- Ensuring third-party assurance for API partners
- Managing subcontractor compliance (sub-processor rules)
- Dealing with regulator inquiries based on SOC reports
- Preparing for surprise inspections or follow-ups
- Using predictive analytics for control risk
- Building a compliance roadmap for the next three years
Module 15: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Completing your final course assessment
- Submitting your project for verification
- Receiving your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service
- Adding certification to LinkedIn and professional profiles
- Using certification in job applications and interviews
- Positioning yourself as a compliance leader
- Transitioning into internal audit, risk, or GRC roles
- Becoming a SOC 1 point person in your organisation
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Training others using course materials
- Developing internal compliance workshops
- Creating a repeatable SOC 1 methodology
- Planning for SOC 2 or other reports next
- Staying updated via The Art of Service resources
- Joining a community of certified professionals
- Accessing exclusive templates and tools
- Using gamified progress tracking for motivation
- Earning digital badges for each completed module
- Setting personal milestones and career goals
- Building a long-term audit and risk strategy
- Conducting a financial process inventory audit
- Mapping systems involved in financial reporting (ERP, billing, payroll, banking)
- Identifying critical transaction paths and data flows
- Determining which systems require SOC 1 coverage
- Setting boundaries: in-scope vs. out-of-scope systems
- Considering third-party vendors in your scope
- Assessing cloud-based financial applications for compliance
- Evaluating hybrid and on-premises environments
- Documenting system interfaces and integration points
- Using process maps to show financial data end-to-end
- Identifying key system owners and process stewards
- Defining system inputs, transformations, and outputs
- Quantifying transaction volumes and financial exposure
- Assessing system resilience and failover mechanisms
- Determining system access levels and user types
- Establishing data ownership and custody protocols
- Documenting all software versions and patch levels
- Handling legacy systems in the SOC 1 environment
- Planning for future system changes during reporting period
- Creating a system scope validation checklist
Module 4: Control Identification and Risk Assessment - Conducting a financial control risk assessment
- Identifying risks to financial reporting accuracy
- Using risk matrices to prioritise control focus
- Defining inherent vs. residual risk
- Assessing likelihood and impact of control failures
- Mapping risks to specific financial processes (e.g. revenue recognition)
- Control identification for automated vs. manual processes
- Detecting missing, weak, or redundant controls
- Linking control activities to fraud prevention
- Ensuring controls address unauthorised changes or deletions
- Role of reconciliation processes in control design
- Validating authorisation policies and approval workflows
- Monitoring batch processing controls
- Designing controls for system backups and recovery
- Incorporating audit trail and logging requirements
- Control considerations for administrator access
- Preventing duplicate payments or transactions
- Ensuring accurate foreign currency conversion
- Handling system cutovers and data migrations
- Documenting control rationale for auditor review
Module 5: Control Design and Documentation - Writing clear, concise, and audit-ready control objectives
- Defining control activities with specific, measurable actions
- Using standard control language for consistency and clarity
- Structure of a control: objective, activity, owner, frequency
- Best practices for documenting automated controls
- Documenting manual and supervisory controls effectively
- Assigning control ownership and accountability
- Incorporating control frequency (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Designing compensating controls for gap remediation
- Control documentation templates and examples
- Drafting control narratives for auditor presentation
- Aligning control descriptions with AICPA standards
- Using screenshots, diagrams, and workflow charts
- Version control for documentation updates
- Secure storage and access controls for documentation
- Creating a master control register
- Mapping controls to risk and TSC criteria
- Documenting IT general controls (password policies, change management)
- Including evidence retention policies
- Integrating SOC 1 documentation with internal audit files
Module 6: IT General Controls (ITGCs) in Financial Systems - Understanding the role of ITGCs in SOC 1 compliance
- Access controls: user provisioning and deactivation
- Role-based access control (RBAC) design and validation
- Password complexity and expiry policies
- Multifactor authentication (MFA) requirements
- Privileged access management and monitoring
- Regular access reviews and attestation processes
- Segregation of duties in system permissions
- Change management controls for application and system updates
- Emergency change procedures and documentation
- Backup and recovery controls for financial systems
- Backup frequency, retention, and restoration testing
- Logging and monitoring: what needs to be logged
- Centralised log management and review frequency
- System monitoring for unauthorised access attempts
- Network security controls supporting financial systems
- Firewall and intrusion detection systems
- Endpoint security and antivirus policies
- Physical security of data centres and server rooms
- Disaster recovery and business continuity planning links
Module 7: Application Controls for Financial Transactions - User authentication and authorisation at the application level
- Input validation controls (e.g. preventing invalid entries)
- Automated approval workflows for transactions
- Controls for payment processing systems
- Preventing duplicate invoice submissions
- Revenue recognition control points
- Controls for payroll accuracy and compliance
- Bank reconciliation automation and oversight
- Journal entry controls and approval hierarchies
- Batch control and balancing procedures
- Handling exception reports and error resolution
- Controls for foreign exchange rate application
- System-generated financial reports and their validation
- Manual journal entry review processes
- Automated matching of invoices, POs, and receipts
- Controls for discount and rebate processing
- Preventing unauthorised customer account adjustments
- Controls for recurring billing systems
- Handling customer credit and refund requests
- Automated controls for subscription revenue calculations
Module 8: Evidence Collection and Retention - Defining what constitutes sufficient audit evidence
- Types of evidence: logs, screenshots, reports, attestations
- Automated vs. manual evidence collection methods
- Setting evidence retention periods (Type I vs Type II)
- Storing evidence in a secure, tamper-evident manner
- Using digital timestamping for authenticity
- Organising evidence by control and test objective
- Sampling strategies for evidence review
- Preparing exception logs and resolution documentation
- Documentation of user access reviews
- Change request tickets and approval records
- Backup restoration test results
- Audit trail exports and review logs
- Security incident reports and response actions
- Certifications and attestations from third parties
- Vendor risk assessments and contracts
- Disaster recovery test results
- System uptime and availability reports
- Training completion records
- Self-inspection and internal review checklists
Module 9: Preparing for the Auditor Engagement - Selecting the right CPA firm for your SOC 1 audit
- Understanding auditor independence and scope limitations
- Preparing the auditor package: what to include
- Drafting the management assertion letter
- Providing auditor access to systems and documentation
- Setting up secure data sharing portals
- Scheduling walkthroughs and control demonstrations
- Preparing teams for auditor interviews
- Anticipating common auditor questions and concerns
- Creating an auditor contact and escalation protocol
- Managing auditor requests efficiently
- Handling auditor findings and deficiency reports
- Drafting formal responses to auditor comments
- Preparing remediation plans for control gaps
- Tracking auditor timelines and deliverables
- Understanding the auditor’s testing procedures
- Differentiating between walkthroughs and reperformance
- Preparing for sample testing and data requests
- Ensuring all evidence is pre-organised
- Running internal dry runs before auditor arrival
Module 10: Managing a Successful Type I Report - Differences between Type I and Type II objectives
- Focusing on suitability of design for Type I
- Demonstrating control existence and design logic
- Preparing narrative descriptions for Type I
- Submitting evidence of control implementation
- Handling auditor walkthroughs effectively
- Addressing design deficiencies quickly
- Common Type I findings and how to avoid them
- Understanding the opinion letter and its components
- Communicating results to internal stakeholders
- Using Type I as a foundation for Type II
- Meeting client needs with a Type I report
- Marketing your Type I achievement to prospects
- Responding to client questions about Type I scope
- Updating sales and customer success teams
- Creating a public-facing summary report
- Handling confidentiality and report distribution
- Storing the report securely with access controls
- Planning next steps after Type I certification
- Building momentum for ongoing compliance culture
Module 11: Building and Sustaining a Type II Reporting Environment - Transitioning from Type I to Type II readiness
- Setting the 6- to 12-month reporting period
- Ensuring consistent control execution throughout the period
- Training teams on control performance consistency
- Monitoring controls for fidelity and adherence
- Conducting periodic internal control checks
- Using internal audits to validate operating effectiveness
- Managing personnel changes without control lapses
- Automating control execution where possible
- Handling system changes mid-reporting period
- Documenting changes and reassessing control design
- Proving control operation on a regular basis
- Collecting time-stamped evidence continuously
- Preparing for extended auditor fieldwork
- Responding to extended sampling requirements
- Analysing control exceptions and root causes
- Implementing corrective actions promptly
- Demonstrating management’s monitoring activities
- Using dashboards to track control health
- Preparing for the final auditor evaluation
Module 12: Handling Deficiencies, Exceptions, and Findings - Classifying deficiencies: control, design, operating
- Distinguishing between material weaknesses and minor gaps
- Drafting formal responses to auditor findings
- Developing root cause analyses for control failures
- Creating corrective action plans (CAPs)
- Setting remediation timelines and milestones
- Assigning ownership for deficiency closure
- Validating remediation through retesting
- Documenting resolution for auditor acceptance
- Learning from exceptions to strengthen controls
- Building a culture of continuous improvement
- Using findings to justify compliance investment
- Communicating remediation to stakeholders
- Preventing recurrence with system improvements
- Involving vendors in deficiency resolution
- Escalating unresolved issues to leadership
- Reporting on deficiency trends over time
- Integrating lessons into employee training
- Updating risk assessments based on findings
- Using findings as feedback for future audits
Module 13: Report Finalisation and Distribution - Reviewing the draft SOC 1 report with internal counsel
- Understanding the structure of the final report
- Including the opinion letter, management assertion
- Providing the description of the system
- Presenting the control objectives and activities
- Detailing the tests of controls and results
- Addressing any explanatory paragraphs
- Determining distribution strategy: full vs summary
- Controlling access to the report document
- Setting up secure client sharing portals
- Using NDAs and confidentiality agreements
- Redacting sensitive information when necessary
- Training customer success and sales teams
- Responding to client questions about the report
- Using the report in marketing and proposals
- Updating LinkedIn and corporate website
- Distributing internally to board and investors
- Archiving reports for future audits
- Planning for next year’s report
- Conducting a post-mortem review
Module 14: Advanced Topics in SOC 1 Compliance - SOC 1 in multi-entity and global organisations
- Handling subsidiaries and different jurisdictions
- Dealing with multiple auditors or consolidated reports
- Using shadow systems and manual workarounds securely
- Compliance in M&A scenarios and integrations
- SOC 1 for SaaS and cloud-native financial platforms
- Managing compliance in agile development environments
- Automating SOC 1 control testing with software
- Using GRC platforms for centralised control management
- Integrating SOC 1 with other compliance efforts
- Aligning SOC 1 with SOX, GDPR, and privacy laws
- Using artificial intelligence in control monitoring
- Handling cryptocurrency and digital asset controls
- Compliance in decentralised finance (DeFi) adjacent services
- Ensuring third-party assurance for API partners
- Managing subcontractor compliance (sub-processor rules)
- Dealing with regulator inquiries based on SOC reports
- Preparing for surprise inspections or follow-ups
- Using predictive analytics for control risk
- Building a compliance roadmap for the next three years
Module 15: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Completing your final course assessment
- Submitting your project for verification
- Receiving your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service
- Adding certification to LinkedIn and professional profiles
- Using certification in job applications and interviews
- Positioning yourself as a compliance leader
- Transitioning into internal audit, risk, or GRC roles
- Becoming a SOC 1 point person in your organisation
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Training others using course materials
- Developing internal compliance workshops
- Creating a repeatable SOC 1 methodology
- Planning for SOC 2 or other reports next
- Staying updated via The Art of Service resources
- Joining a community of certified professionals
- Accessing exclusive templates and tools
- Using gamified progress tracking for motivation
- Earning digital badges for each completed module
- Setting personal milestones and career goals
- Building a long-term audit and risk strategy
- Writing clear, concise, and audit-ready control objectives
- Defining control activities with specific, measurable actions
- Using standard control language for consistency and clarity
- Structure of a control: objective, activity, owner, frequency
- Best practices for documenting automated controls
- Documenting manual and supervisory controls effectively
- Assigning control ownership and accountability
- Incorporating control frequency (daily, weekly, monthly)
- Designing compensating controls for gap remediation
- Control documentation templates and examples
- Drafting control narratives for auditor presentation
- Aligning control descriptions with AICPA standards
- Using screenshots, diagrams, and workflow charts
- Version control for documentation updates
- Secure storage and access controls for documentation
- Creating a master control register
- Mapping controls to risk and TSC criteria
- Documenting IT general controls (password policies, change management)
- Including evidence retention policies
- Integrating SOC 1 documentation with internal audit files
Module 6: IT General Controls (ITGCs) in Financial Systems - Understanding the role of ITGCs in SOC 1 compliance
- Access controls: user provisioning and deactivation
- Role-based access control (RBAC) design and validation
- Password complexity and expiry policies
- Multifactor authentication (MFA) requirements
- Privileged access management and monitoring
- Regular access reviews and attestation processes
- Segregation of duties in system permissions
- Change management controls for application and system updates
- Emergency change procedures and documentation
- Backup and recovery controls for financial systems
- Backup frequency, retention, and restoration testing
- Logging and monitoring: what needs to be logged
- Centralised log management and review frequency
- System monitoring for unauthorised access attempts
- Network security controls supporting financial systems
- Firewall and intrusion detection systems
- Endpoint security and antivirus policies
- Physical security of data centres and server rooms
- Disaster recovery and business continuity planning links
Module 7: Application Controls for Financial Transactions - User authentication and authorisation at the application level
- Input validation controls (e.g. preventing invalid entries)
- Automated approval workflows for transactions
- Controls for payment processing systems
- Preventing duplicate invoice submissions
- Revenue recognition control points
- Controls for payroll accuracy and compliance
- Bank reconciliation automation and oversight
- Journal entry controls and approval hierarchies
- Batch control and balancing procedures
- Handling exception reports and error resolution
- Controls for foreign exchange rate application
- System-generated financial reports and their validation
- Manual journal entry review processes
- Automated matching of invoices, POs, and receipts
- Controls for discount and rebate processing
- Preventing unauthorised customer account adjustments
- Controls for recurring billing systems
- Handling customer credit and refund requests
- Automated controls for subscription revenue calculations
Module 8: Evidence Collection and Retention - Defining what constitutes sufficient audit evidence
- Types of evidence: logs, screenshots, reports, attestations
- Automated vs. manual evidence collection methods
- Setting evidence retention periods (Type I vs Type II)
- Storing evidence in a secure, tamper-evident manner
- Using digital timestamping for authenticity
- Organising evidence by control and test objective
- Sampling strategies for evidence review
- Preparing exception logs and resolution documentation
- Documentation of user access reviews
- Change request tickets and approval records
- Backup restoration test results
- Audit trail exports and review logs
- Security incident reports and response actions
- Certifications and attestations from third parties
- Vendor risk assessments and contracts
- Disaster recovery test results
- System uptime and availability reports
- Training completion records
- Self-inspection and internal review checklists
Module 9: Preparing for the Auditor Engagement - Selecting the right CPA firm for your SOC 1 audit
- Understanding auditor independence and scope limitations
- Preparing the auditor package: what to include
- Drafting the management assertion letter
- Providing auditor access to systems and documentation
- Setting up secure data sharing portals
- Scheduling walkthroughs and control demonstrations
- Preparing teams for auditor interviews
- Anticipating common auditor questions and concerns
- Creating an auditor contact and escalation protocol
- Managing auditor requests efficiently
- Handling auditor findings and deficiency reports
- Drafting formal responses to auditor comments
- Preparing remediation plans for control gaps
- Tracking auditor timelines and deliverables
- Understanding the auditor’s testing procedures
- Differentiating between walkthroughs and reperformance
- Preparing for sample testing and data requests
- Ensuring all evidence is pre-organised
- Running internal dry runs before auditor arrival
Module 10: Managing a Successful Type I Report - Differences between Type I and Type II objectives
- Focusing on suitability of design for Type I
- Demonstrating control existence and design logic
- Preparing narrative descriptions for Type I
- Submitting evidence of control implementation
- Handling auditor walkthroughs effectively
- Addressing design deficiencies quickly
- Common Type I findings and how to avoid them
- Understanding the opinion letter and its components
- Communicating results to internal stakeholders
- Using Type I as a foundation for Type II
- Meeting client needs with a Type I report
- Marketing your Type I achievement to prospects
- Responding to client questions about Type I scope
- Updating sales and customer success teams
- Creating a public-facing summary report
- Handling confidentiality and report distribution
- Storing the report securely with access controls
- Planning next steps after Type I certification
- Building momentum for ongoing compliance culture
Module 11: Building and Sustaining a Type II Reporting Environment - Transitioning from Type I to Type II readiness
- Setting the 6- to 12-month reporting period
- Ensuring consistent control execution throughout the period
- Training teams on control performance consistency
- Monitoring controls for fidelity and adherence
- Conducting periodic internal control checks
- Using internal audits to validate operating effectiveness
- Managing personnel changes without control lapses
- Automating control execution where possible
- Handling system changes mid-reporting period
- Documenting changes and reassessing control design
- Proving control operation on a regular basis
- Collecting time-stamped evidence continuously
- Preparing for extended auditor fieldwork
- Responding to extended sampling requirements
- Analysing control exceptions and root causes
- Implementing corrective actions promptly
- Demonstrating management’s monitoring activities
- Using dashboards to track control health
- Preparing for the final auditor evaluation
Module 12: Handling Deficiencies, Exceptions, and Findings - Classifying deficiencies: control, design, operating
- Distinguishing between material weaknesses and minor gaps
- Drafting formal responses to auditor findings
- Developing root cause analyses for control failures
- Creating corrective action plans (CAPs)
- Setting remediation timelines and milestones
- Assigning ownership for deficiency closure
- Validating remediation through retesting
- Documenting resolution for auditor acceptance
- Learning from exceptions to strengthen controls
- Building a culture of continuous improvement
- Using findings to justify compliance investment
- Communicating remediation to stakeholders
- Preventing recurrence with system improvements
- Involving vendors in deficiency resolution
- Escalating unresolved issues to leadership
- Reporting on deficiency trends over time
- Integrating lessons into employee training
- Updating risk assessments based on findings
- Using findings as feedback for future audits
Module 13: Report Finalisation and Distribution - Reviewing the draft SOC 1 report with internal counsel
- Understanding the structure of the final report
- Including the opinion letter, management assertion
- Providing the description of the system
- Presenting the control objectives and activities
- Detailing the tests of controls and results
- Addressing any explanatory paragraphs
- Determining distribution strategy: full vs summary
- Controlling access to the report document
- Setting up secure client sharing portals
- Using NDAs and confidentiality agreements
- Redacting sensitive information when necessary
- Training customer success and sales teams
- Responding to client questions about the report
- Using the report in marketing and proposals
- Updating LinkedIn and corporate website
- Distributing internally to board and investors
- Archiving reports for future audits
- Planning for next year’s report
- Conducting a post-mortem review
Module 14: Advanced Topics in SOC 1 Compliance - SOC 1 in multi-entity and global organisations
- Handling subsidiaries and different jurisdictions
- Dealing with multiple auditors or consolidated reports
- Using shadow systems and manual workarounds securely
- Compliance in M&A scenarios and integrations
- SOC 1 for SaaS and cloud-native financial platforms
- Managing compliance in agile development environments
- Automating SOC 1 control testing with software
- Using GRC platforms for centralised control management
- Integrating SOC 1 with other compliance efforts
- Aligning SOC 1 with SOX, GDPR, and privacy laws
- Using artificial intelligence in control monitoring
- Handling cryptocurrency and digital asset controls
- Compliance in decentralised finance (DeFi) adjacent services
- Ensuring third-party assurance for API partners
- Managing subcontractor compliance (sub-processor rules)
- Dealing with regulator inquiries based on SOC reports
- Preparing for surprise inspections or follow-ups
- Using predictive analytics for control risk
- Building a compliance roadmap for the next three years
Module 15: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Completing your final course assessment
- Submitting your project for verification
- Receiving your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service
- Adding certification to LinkedIn and professional profiles
- Using certification in job applications and interviews
- Positioning yourself as a compliance leader
- Transitioning into internal audit, risk, or GRC roles
- Becoming a SOC 1 point person in your organisation
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Training others using course materials
- Developing internal compliance workshops
- Creating a repeatable SOC 1 methodology
- Planning for SOC 2 or other reports next
- Staying updated via The Art of Service resources
- Joining a community of certified professionals
- Accessing exclusive templates and tools
- Using gamified progress tracking for motivation
- Earning digital badges for each completed module
- Setting personal milestones and career goals
- Building a long-term audit and risk strategy
- User authentication and authorisation at the application level
- Input validation controls (e.g. preventing invalid entries)
- Automated approval workflows for transactions
- Controls for payment processing systems
- Preventing duplicate invoice submissions
- Revenue recognition control points
- Controls for payroll accuracy and compliance
- Bank reconciliation automation and oversight
- Journal entry controls and approval hierarchies
- Batch control and balancing procedures
- Handling exception reports and error resolution
- Controls for foreign exchange rate application
- System-generated financial reports and their validation
- Manual journal entry review processes
- Automated matching of invoices, POs, and receipts
- Controls for discount and rebate processing
- Preventing unauthorised customer account adjustments
- Controls for recurring billing systems
- Handling customer credit and refund requests
- Automated controls for subscription revenue calculations
Module 8: Evidence Collection and Retention - Defining what constitutes sufficient audit evidence
- Types of evidence: logs, screenshots, reports, attestations
- Automated vs. manual evidence collection methods
- Setting evidence retention periods (Type I vs Type II)
- Storing evidence in a secure, tamper-evident manner
- Using digital timestamping for authenticity
- Organising evidence by control and test objective
- Sampling strategies for evidence review
- Preparing exception logs and resolution documentation
- Documentation of user access reviews
- Change request tickets and approval records
- Backup restoration test results
- Audit trail exports and review logs
- Security incident reports and response actions
- Certifications and attestations from third parties
- Vendor risk assessments and contracts
- Disaster recovery test results
- System uptime and availability reports
- Training completion records
- Self-inspection and internal review checklists
Module 9: Preparing for the Auditor Engagement - Selecting the right CPA firm for your SOC 1 audit
- Understanding auditor independence and scope limitations
- Preparing the auditor package: what to include
- Drafting the management assertion letter
- Providing auditor access to systems and documentation
- Setting up secure data sharing portals
- Scheduling walkthroughs and control demonstrations
- Preparing teams for auditor interviews
- Anticipating common auditor questions and concerns
- Creating an auditor contact and escalation protocol
- Managing auditor requests efficiently
- Handling auditor findings and deficiency reports
- Drafting formal responses to auditor comments
- Preparing remediation plans for control gaps
- Tracking auditor timelines and deliverables
- Understanding the auditor’s testing procedures
- Differentiating between walkthroughs and reperformance
- Preparing for sample testing and data requests
- Ensuring all evidence is pre-organised
- Running internal dry runs before auditor arrival
Module 10: Managing a Successful Type I Report - Differences between Type I and Type II objectives
- Focusing on suitability of design for Type I
- Demonstrating control existence and design logic
- Preparing narrative descriptions for Type I
- Submitting evidence of control implementation
- Handling auditor walkthroughs effectively
- Addressing design deficiencies quickly
- Common Type I findings and how to avoid them
- Understanding the opinion letter and its components
- Communicating results to internal stakeholders
- Using Type I as a foundation for Type II
- Meeting client needs with a Type I report
- Marketing your Type I achievement to prospects
- Responding to client questions about Type I scope
- Updating sales and customer success teams
- Creating a public-facing summary report
- Handling confidentiality and report distribution
- Storing the report securely with access controls
- Planning next steps after Type I certification
- Building momentum for ongoing compliance culture
Module 11: Building and Sustaining a Type II Reporting Environment - Transitioning from Type I to Type II readiness
- Setting the 6- to 12-month reporting period
- Ensuring consistent control execution throughout the period
- Training teams on control performance consistency
- Monitoring controls for fidelity and adherence
- Conducting periodic internal control checks
- Using internal audits to validate operating effectiveness
- Managing personnel changes without control lapses
- Automating control execution where possible
- Handling system changes mid-reporting period
- Documenting changes and reassessing control design
- Proving control operation on a regular basis
- Collecting time-stamped evidence continuously
- Preparing for extended auditor fieldwork
- Responding to extended sampling requirements
- Analysing control exceptions and root causes
- Implementing corrective actions promptly
- Demonstrating management’s monitoring activities
- Using dashboards to track control health
- Preparing for the final auditor evaluation
Module 12: Handling Deficiencies, Exceptions, and Findings - Classifying deficiencies: control, design, operating
- Distinguishing between material weaknesses and minor gaps
- Drafting formal responses to auditor findings
- Developing root cause analyses for control failures
- Creating corrective action plans (CAPs)
- Setting remediation timelines and milestones
- Assigning ownership for deficiency closure
- Validating remediation through retesting
- Documenting resolution for auditor acceptance
- Learning from exceptions to strengthen controls
- Building a culture of continuous improvement
- Using findings to justify compliance investment
- Communicating remediation to stakeholders
- Preventing recurrence with system improvements
- Involving vendors in deficiency resolution
- Escalating unresolved issues to leadership
- Reporting on deficiency trends over time
- Integrating lessons into employee training
- Updating risk assessments based on findings
- Using findings as feedback for future audits
Module 13: Report Finalisation and Distribution - Reviewing the draft SOC 1 report with internal counsel
- Understanding the structure of the final report
- Including the opinion letter, management assertion
- Providing the description of the system
- Presenting the control objectives and activities
- Detailing the tests of controls and results
- Addressing any explanatory paragraphs
- Determining distribution strategy: full vs summary
- Controlling access to the report document
- Setting up secure client sharing portals
- Using NDAs and confidentiality agreements
- Redacting sensitive information when necessary
- Training customer success and sales teams
- Responding to client questions about the report
- Using the report in marketing and proposals
- Updating LinkedIn and corporate website
- Distributing internally to board and investors
- Archiving reports for future audits
- Planning for next year’s report
- Conducting a post-mortem review
Module 14: Advanced Topics in SOC 1 Compliance - SOC 1 in multi-entity and global organisations
- Handling subsidiaries and different jurisdictions
- Dealing with multiple auditors or consolidated reports
- Using shadow systems and manual workarounds securely
- Compliance in M&A scenarios and integrations
- SOC 1 for SaaS and cloud-native financial platforms
- Managing compliance in agile development environments
- Automating SOC 1 control testing with software
- Using GRC platforms for centralised control management
- Integrating SOC 1 with other compliance efforts
- Aligning SOC 1 with SOX, GDPR, and privacy laws
- Using artificial intelligence in control monitoring
- Handling cryptocurrency and digital asset controls
- Compliance in decentralised finance (DeFi) adjacent services
- Ensuring third-party assurance for API partners
- Managing subcontractor compliance (sub-processor rules)
- Dealing with regulator inquiries based on SOC reports
- Preparing for surprise inspections or follow-ups
- Using predictive analytics for control risk
- Building a compliance roadmap for the next three years
Module 15: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Completing your final course assessment
- Submitting your project for verification
- Receiving your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service
- Adding certification to LinkedIn and professional profiles
- Using certification in job applications and interviews
- Positioning yourself as a compliance leader
- Transitioning into internal audit, risk, or GRC roles
- Becoming a SOC 1 point person in your organisation
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Training others using course materials
- Developing internal compliance workshops
- Creating a repeatable SOC 1 methodology
- Planning for SOC 2 or other reports next
- Staying updated via The Art of Service resources
- Joining a community of certified professionals
- Accessing exclusive templates and tools
- Using gamified progress tracking for motivation
- Earning digital badges for each completed module
- Setting personal milestones and career goals
- Building a long-term audit and risk strategy
- Selecting the right CPA firm for your SOC 1 audit
- Understanding auditor independence and scope limitations
- Preparing the auditor package: what to include
- Drafting the management assertion letter
- Providing auditor access to systems and documentation
- Setting up secure data sharing portals
- Scheduling walkthroughs and control demonstrations
- Preparing teams for auditor interviews
- Anticipating common auditor questions and concerns
- Creating an auditor contact and escalation protocol
- Managing auditor requests efficiently
- Handling auditor findings and deficiency reports
- Drafting formal responses to auditor comments
- Preparing remediation plans for control gaps
- Tracking auditor timelines and deliverables
- Understanding the auditor’s testing procedures
- Differentiating between walkthroughs and reperformance
- Preparing for sample testing and data requests
- Ensuring all evidence is pre-organised
- Running internal dry runs before auditor arrival
Module 10: Managing a Successful Type I Report - Differences between Type I and Type II objectives
- Focusing on suitability of design for Type I
- Demonstrating control existence and design logic
- Preparing narrative descriptions for Type I
- Submitting evidence of control implementation
- Handling auditor walkthroughs effectively
- Addressing design deficiencies quickly
- Common Type I findings and how to avoid them
- Understanding the opinion letter and its components
- Communicating results to internal stakeholders
- Using Type I as a foundation for Type II
- Meeting client needs with a Type I report
- Marketing your Type I achievement to prospects
- Responding to client questions about Type I scope
- Updating sales and customer success teams
- Creating a public-facing summary report
- Handling confidentiality and report distribution
- Storing the report securely with access controls
- Planning next steps after Type I certification
- Building momentum for ongoing compliance culture
Module 11: Building and Sustaining a Type II Reporting Environment - Transitioning from Type I to Type II readiness
- Setting the 6- to 12-month reporting period
- Ensuring consistent control execution throughout the period
- Training teams on control performance consistency
- Monitoring controls for fidelity and adherence
- Conducting periodic internal control checks
- Using internal audits to validate operating effectiveness
- Managing personnel changes without control lapses
- Automating control execution where possible
- Handling system changes mid-reporting period
- Documenting changes and reassessing control design
- Proving control operation on a regular basis
- Collecting time-stamped evidence continuously
- Preparing for extended auditor fieldwork
- Responding to extended sampling requirements
- Analysing control exceptions and root causes
- Implementing corrective actions promptly
- Demonstrating management’s monitoring activities
- Using dashboards to track control health
- Preparing for the final auditor evaluation
Module 12: Handling Deficiencies, Exceptions, and Findings - Classifying deficiencies: control, design, operating
- Distinguishing between material weaknesses and minor gaps
- Drafting formal responses to auditor findings
- Developing root cause analyses for control failures
- Creating corrective action plans (CAPs)
- Setting remediation timelines and milestones
- Assigning ownership for deficiency closure
- Validating remediation through retesting
- Documenting resolution for auditor acceptance
- Learning from exceptions to strengthen controls
- Building a culture of continuous improvement
- Using findings to justify compliance investment
- Communicating remediation to stakeholders
- Preventing recurrence with system improvements
- Involving vendors in deficiency resolution
- Escalating unresolved issues to leadership
- Reporting on deficiency trends over time
- Integrating lessons into employee training
- Updating risk assessments based on findings
- Using findings as feedback for future audits
Module 13: Report Finalisation and Distribution - Reviewing the draft SOC 1 report with internal counsel
- Understanding the structure of the final report
- Including the opinion letter, management assertion
- Providing the description of the system
- Presenting the control objectives and activities
- Detailing the tests of controls and results
- Addressing any explanatory paragraphs
- Determining distribution strategy: full vs summary
- Controlling access to the report document
- Setting up secure client sharing portals
- Using NDAs and confidentiality agreements
- Redacting sensitive information when necessary
- Training customer success and sales teams
- Responding to client questions about the report
- Using the report in marketing and proposals
- Updating LinkedIn and corporate website
- Distributing internally to board and investors
- Archiving reports for future audits
- Planning for next year’s report
- Conducting a post-mortem review
Module 14: Advanced Topics in SOC 1 Compliance - SOC 1 in multi-entity and global organisations
- Handling subsidiaries and different jurisdictions
- Dealing with multiple auditors or consolidated reports
- Using shadow systems and manual workarounds securely
- Compliance in M&A scenarios and integrations
- SOC 1 for SaaS and cloud-native financial platforms
- Managing compliance in agile development environments
- Automating SOC 1 control testing with software
- Using GRC platforms for centralised control management
- Integrating SOC 1 with other compliance efforts
- Aligning SOC 1 with SOX, GDPR, and privacy laws
- Using artificial intelligence in control monitoring
- Handling cryptocurrency and digital asset controls
- Compliance in decentralised finance (DeFi) adjacent services
- Ensuring third-party assurance for API partners
- Managing subcontractor compliance (sub-processor rules)
- Dealing with regulator inquiries based on SOC reports
- Preparing for surprise inspections or follow-ups
- Using predictive analytics for control risk
- Building a compliance roadmap for the next three years
Module 15: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Completing your final course assessment
- Submitting your project for verification
- Receiving your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service
- Adding certification to LinkedIn and professional profiles
- Using certification in job applications and interviews
- Positioning yourself as a compliance leader
- Transitioning into internal audit, risk, or GRC roles
- Becoming a SOC 1 point person in your organisation
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Training others using course materials
- Developing internal compliance workshops
- Creating a repeatable SOC 1 methodology
- Planning for SOC 2 or other reports next
- Staying updated via The Art of Service resources
- Joining a community of certified professionals
- Accessing exclusive templates and tools
- Using gamified progress tracking for motivation
- Earning digital badges for each completed module
- Setting personal milestones and career goals
- Building a long-term audit and risk strategy
- Transitioning from Type I to Type II readiness
- Setting the 6- to 12-month reporting period
- Ensuring consistent control execution throughout the period
- Training teams on control performance consistency
- Monitoring controls for fidelity and adherence
- Conducting periodic internal control checks
- Using internal audits to validate operating effectiveness
- Managing personnel changes without control lapses
- Automating control execution where possible
- Handling system changes mid-reporting period
- Documenting changes and reassessing control design
- Proving control operation on a regular basis
- Collecting time-stamped evidence continuously
- Preparing for extended auditor fieldwork
- Responding to extended sampling requirements
- Analysing control exceptions and root causes
- Implementing corrective actions promptly
- Demonstrating management’s monitoring activities
- Using dashboards to track control health
- Preparing for the final auditor evaluation
Module 12: Handling Deficiencies, Exceptions, and Findings - Classifying deficiencies: control, design, operating
- Distinguishing between material weaknesses and minor gaps
- Drafting formal responses to auditor findings
- Developing root cause analyses for control failures
- Creating corrective action plans (CAPs)
- Setting remediation timelines and milestones
- Assigning ownership for deficiency closure
- Validating remediation through retesting
- Documenting resolution for auditor acceptance
- Learning from exceptions to strengthen controls
- Building a culture of continuous improvement
- Using findings to justify compliance investment
- Communicating remediation to stakeholders
- Preventing recurrence with system improvements
- Involving vendors in deficiency resolution
- Escalating unresolved issues to leadership
- Reporting on deficiency trends over time
- Integrating lessons into employee training
- Updating risk assessments based on findings
- Using findings as feedback for future audits
Module 13: Report Finalisation and Distribution - Reviewing the draft SOC 1 report with internal counsel
- Understanding the structure of the final report
- Including the opinion letter, management assertion
- Providing the description of the system
- Presenting the control objectives and activities
- Detailing the tests of controls and results
- Addressing any explanatory paragraphs
- Determining distribution strategy: full vs summary
- Controlling access to the report document
- Setting up secure client sharing portals
- Using NDAs and confidentiality agreements
- Redacting sensitive information when necessary
- Training customer success and sales teams
- Responding to client questions about the report
- Using the report in marketing and proposals
- Updating LinkedIn and corporate website
- Distributing internally to board and investors
- Archiving reports for future audits
- Planning for next year’s report
- Conducting a post-mortem review
Module 14: Advanced Topics in SOC 1 Compliance - SOC 1 in multi-entity and global organisations
- Handling subsidiaries and different jurisdictions
- Dealing with multiple auditors or consolidated reports
- Using shadow systems and manual workarounds securely
- Compliance in M&A scenarios and integrations
- SOC 1 for SaaS and cloud-native financial platforms
- Managing compliance in agile development environments
- Automating SOC 1 control testing with software
- Using GRC platforms for centralised control management
- Integrating SOC 1 with other compliance efforts
- Aligning SOC 1 with SOX, GDPR, and privacy laws
- Using artificial intelligence in control monitoring
- Handling cryptocurrency and digital asset controls
- Compliance in decentralised finance (DeFi) adjacent services
- Ensuring third-party assurance for API partners
- Managing subcontractor compliance (sub-processor rules)
- Dealing with regulator inquiries based on SOC reports
- Preparing for surprise inspections or follow-ups
- Using predictive analytics for control risk
- Building a compliance roadmap for the next three years
Module 15: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Completing your final course assessment
- Submitting your project for verification
- Receiving your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service
- Adding certification to LinkedIn and professional profiles
- Using certification in job applications and interviews
- Positioning yourself as a compliance leader
- Transitioning into internal audit, risk, or GRC roles
- Becoming a SOC 1 point person in your organisation
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Training others using course materials
- Developing internal compliance workshops
- Creating a repeatable SOC 1 methodology
- Planning for SOC 2 or other reports next
- Staying updated via The Art of Service resources
- Joining a community of certified professionals
- Accessing exclusive templates and tools
- Using gamified progress tracking for motivation
- Earning digital badges for each completed module
- Setting personal milestones and career goals
- Building a long-term audit and risk strategy
- Reviewing the draft SOC 1 report with internal counsel
- Understanding the structure of the final report
- Including the opinion letter, management assertion
- Providing the description of the system
- Presenting the control objectives and activities
- Detailing the tests of controls and results
- Addressing any explanatory paragraphs
- Determining distribution strategy: full vs summary
- Controlling access to the report document
- Setting up secure client sharing portals
- Using NDAs and confidentiality agreements
- Redacting sensitive information when necessary
- Training customer success and sales teams
- Responding to client questions about the report
- Using the report in marketing and proposals
- Updating LinkedIn and corporate website
- Distributing internally to board and investors
- Archiving reports for future audits
- Planning for next year’s report
- Conducting a post-mortem review
Module 14: Advanced Topics in SOC 1 Compliance - SOC 1 in multi-entity and global organisations
- Handling subsidiaries and different jurisdictions
- Dealing with multiple auditors or consolidated reports
- Using shadow systems and manual workarounds securely
- Compliance in M&A scenarios and integrations
- SOC 1 for SaaS and cloud-native financial platforms
- Managing compliance in agile development environments
- Automating SOC 1 control testing with software
- Using GRC platforms for centralised control management
- Integrating SOC 1 with other compliance efforts
- Aligning SOC 1 with SOX, GDPR, and privacy laws
- Using artificial intelligence in control monitoring
- Handling cryptocurrency and digital asset controls
- Compliance in decentralised finance (DeFi) adjacent services
- Ensuring third-party assurance for API partners
- Managing subcontractor compliance (sub-processor rules)
- Dealing with regulator inquiries based on SOC reports
- Preparing for surprise inspections or follow-ups
- Using predictive analytics for control risk
- Building a compliance roadmap for the next three years
Module 15: Certification, Career Advancement, and Next Steps - Completing your final course assessment
- Submitting your project for verification
- Receiving your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service
- Adding certification to LinkedIn and professional profiles
- Using certification in job applications and interviews
- Positioning yourself as a compliance leader
- Transitioning into internal audit, risk, or GRC roles
- Becoming a SOC 1 point person in your organisation
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Training others using course materials
- Developing internal compliance workshops
- Creating a repeatable SOC 1 methodology
- Planning for SOC 2 or other reports next
- Staying updated via The Art of Service resources
- Joining a community of certified professionals
- Accessing exclusive templates and tools
- Using gamified progress tracking for motivation
- Earning digital badges for each completed module
- Setting personal milestones and career goals
- Building a long-term audit and risk strategy
- Completing your final course assessment
- Submitting your project for verification
- Receiving your Certificate of Completion from The Art of Service
- Adding certification to LinkedIn and professional profiles
- Using certification in job applications and interviews
- Positioning yourself as a compliance leader
- Transitioning into internal audit, risk, or GRC roles
- Becoming a SOC 1 point person in your organisation
- Leading future audits with confidence
- Training others using course materials
- Developing internal compliance workshops
- Creating a repeatable SOC 1 methodology
- Planning for SOC 2 or other reports next
- Staying updated via The Art of Service resources
- Joining a community of certified professionals
- Accessing exclusive templates and tools
- Using gamified progress tracking for motivation
- Earning digital badges for each completed module
- Setting personal milestones and career goals
- Building a long-term audit and risk strategy