Strategic Solution NW first helped the company by documenting and performing an application and IT general controls readiness assessment for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Our role involved interviewing representatives from both the business and IT about key controls in their applications/systems; determining controls suitability; and identifying opportunities for preventive and detective controls. We reviewed approximately twenty applications/systems including the custom developed applications in Employee Benefits and the Oracle database security model used throughout Standard.

SSNW helped the client design, develop and implement a set of internal controls by reconstructing the business processes as well as the underlying technology within the Operations department. Application tools were developed to automate the controls and monitoring activities were implemented to provide management visibility as to the performance of the controls. SSNW also provided accounting guidance and coaching to the client. This included topics like accounting best practices, accounting organization development, internal controls and accounting treatment.

Program Management Services

Initially, SSNW provided the client with a systematic, structured approach to managing the multitude of projects planned to change the Operations department. The program focused on optimizing the timing of the change, providing deployment activities for all projects, and managing specific business projects. The program was designed to ready the workforce with the goal of deployment being a non-event. In the second year, the program expanded Division-wide. In the third year, SSNW transitioned the program to a newly created shared services department.

Acquisition Integration Services

SSNW developed a business process plan and led the effort to analyze and create 150+ future state processes and procedures for the integration of an acquisition. SSNW provided methodology, leadership and guidance to the client team to execute the plan. Additionally, SSNW developed the integration deployment plan for the client customers' and workforce. The plan included strategy, approach, work plans, team organization and resource estimates for all deployment activities. SSNW got the client team up and running prior to transitioning the plan over to them.

If your organization is seeking internal control efficiencies or need help addressing significant change within your organizations, Strategic Solutions NW would like to hear from you.