SAS 70 or SSAE 16 or SOC - Which Report Should You Use?

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What has become generally known as a "SAS 70 Report" is refreshed because of the American Institute of Qualified Public Accountants (AICPA) with new assistance for reporting on provider corporations. This guidance replaced SAS 70 for reviews covering intervals ending on or immediately after June fifteen, 2011.

The original intent of a SAS 70 report was to communicate with auditors relating to fiscal assertion assertions. Over time, SAS 70 morphed into a advertising and marketing Resource; a "certification" for stability, availability, and other assertions unrelated to controls more than monetary reporting. As companies are becoming ever more worried about hazards further than money reporting, a whole new suite of reports was needed to satisfy the wants of those businesses.

The AICPA's reaction was to supply choice alternatives for experiences meant to provide users of third-celebration solutions ease and comfort close to Individuals operational controls appropriate to them: protection, processing integrity, availability, confidentiality and privateness. These remedies are encompassed in The brand new AICPA Provider Group Regulate (SOC) stories. In lieu of acquiring just one report suitable for economical reporting, there now are a few variations of the Assistance Group Regulate Report---SOC one, SOC two, and SOC 3 studies, Each and every serving a distinct goal:

SOC 1: Report on Controls at a Services Organization Relevant to User Entities' Internal Command more than Economic Reporting offers ease and comfort about monetary reporting and transaction services; essentially, what a SAS 70 was at first designed to do. SOC one engagements are performed in accordance with Statement on Expectations for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) sixteen, Reporting on Controls at a Services do i need a soc 2 report Business.

SOC 2: Report on Controls in a Assistance Group Appropriate to Safety, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality and/or Privacy utilizes predefined criteria and handles a number of on the five crucial method attributes of stability, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privateness. SOC two engagements deal with controls in the organization that relate to functions and compliance.

SOC three: SysTrust for Provider Companies Report utilizes exactly the same attributes given that the SOC two report. The SOC 3 report is really a general-use report that gives just the auditor's report on if the method achieved essential rely on companies requirements, leaving out the comprehensive system and tests descriptions. The SOC three report also permits the Business to use the SOC three seal on its Internet site.

Crucial Modifications to Reporting

The brand new criteria change the content material of the report, and also the reporting approach to the service Corporation. The essential adjustments offer your Corporation a chance to differentiate and to supply increased relevancy on your consumers. Services corporations are necessary to offer a description with the program. This description is more encompassing than The outline on the controls essential by a SAS 70. The new description supplies additional information related to the individuals, processes, and technological innovation set up to obtain management's Manage goals. The outline also incorporates more info on the classes of transactions processed. An additional modify may be the necessity that the Corporation supply a written assertion That may be a crucial ingredient on the report. The assertion by management will point out its duty with the accuracy of The outline on the method plus the evaluation conditions for The idea of constructing the assertion.

Deciding on Your SOC Report

When choosing a Assistance Business Command Report (a SOC report), take into account your audience. Who will probably use this report and for what purpose? Does your viewers consist of auditors who will need specifics regarding your controls as well as the exam final results, or will a typical-use report fulfill their requires?

While you changeover from a SAS 70 report back to a fresh SOC report, additionally, you will want to take into account your system and the categories of transactions you process. Solutions to those queries might help ensure you get ready the SOC report which best fits your Group.

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