With satellite television you are not only upgrading to a better television provider for your self but also your family. There are so many channels that you can access on satellite television and not all of them are family friendly. The television broadcasters have become more and more lenient on what can and can not be broadcaster on public television. Its is astounding what is in television content today and it is by no means appropriate for young children. So this brings to the table an issue. If you want great satellite television not only for your personal entertainment but also your children?s then how to you keep their eyes only on the good quality channels opposed to the many adult contented channels? Well, with Dish Network they give you a simple and easy approach to monitoring your child?s television intake with their parental controls. With Dish Networks parental controls you can rest assured that not only you can enjoy great satellite television but also your children can.

They way Dish Network?s parental controls work is really easy. When you first active the parental controls it will ask you to input a password and when you deactivate the parental controls it will also ask you to input that password. This is to ensure that the parental controls are secure so no one can turn them off with out the password. After so you have to select which parental control you wish to use. You get to select from two different parental control set-ups. The first is a list of pre-selected channels that are going to be blocked when activated and the second is a personalized parental control set up. With the

personalized parental control set up you get to go into the channel list and physically select each channel that you wish to be blocked. You can change your choices at any time to alter the level of parental control. This type of parental control system allows you to have a better parental control unit that is suited towards the way you wish to raise your children. It can aid to your religious beliefs when blocking cretin channels that would not have been blocked other wise and even through out the growing stages of your children as they get older they will not need as sever of a parental control set up. The customizable parental control set up is ideal for any family entertainment set up and is brought to you best by Dish Network.

With this parental control set up brought to you by Dish Network you no longer have to worry about upgrading to satellite television and having to worry about all the adult channels being accessible by your children. Especially with how the Dish Network?s parental controls has a set up where you get to

chose which channels are accessible or not when the parental controls are activated. With the great satellite television service from Dish Network along with the parental controls for a great cheap price Dish Network is simply the most ideal choice for your family entertainment provider.

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Tampa, FL March 27, 2009 ? Whether you operate a large multi-national corporation or a small local restaurant, understanding some basic accounting controls will go a long way towards creating more reliable financial results and rendering you a better night?s sleep. Basically, accounting controls are operational, financial, or technological mechanisms used by businesses to ensure or encourage a particular behavior or result. Internal controls give owners and managers some degree of assurance that people are doing what they are supposed to be doing and that material mistakes, accidental or otherwise, will be detected prior to going out the door. For example, segregating responsibility for check writing from the responsibility for reconciling monthly bank statements helps to control against improper check disbursements. In the example above, segregating such duties may be difficult in small businesses with limited staffing capabilities. However, alternate control mechanisms, such as manager or owner review of monthly bank reconciliations, can be implemented to partially mitigate such risks.

It?s no surprise that internal controls frequently come at a cost. As such, the number and strength of the controls within any given internal control structure is usually a function of the owner or manager?s resource capacity and risk tolerance level. As such, it is important to conduct a general risk assessment of the business process or function that you are looking to control in order to focus your efforts most effectively and gain the most bang-for-your-buck as they say.

First, let?s talk about some higher-level control concepts that should be present across most accounting processes to set the stage for more detailed transaction or process-level control mechanisms. One of the best ways to standardize behavior and set expectations is to create formal written policies and procedures to govern the actions and activities within your business or department. In accounting, such policies and procedures are frequently summarized in an Accounting Manual, which specifies the who, what, when, and how of common accounting procedures and activities. Another control concept, illustrated in the earlier example, is known as segregation of duties. Optimally, no single individual should have the responsibility or ability to initiate, authorize, process, and record a given transaction (i.e. they shouldn?t have end-to-end responsibility). Segregating such duties decreases the chances of errors, intentional or otherwise, going undetected.

Next, let?s look at some common accounting functions and give some examples of common internal controls specific to each. It is important to note that these are only examples and any good internal control system should be customized to the needs and risks within your organization or department. Below is a list of some common accounting areas, their functional objectives, and some common internal controls suggestions.

Accounts Receivable, Credit, & Collections - To ensure that all funds intended for the organization are received, promptly deposited, properly recorded, reconciled, and kept under adequate security. ? Formally document policies and procedures governing accounts receivable, credit, and collection processes detailing timelines, responsibilities, actions, responsibilities, etc ? Require credit reporting on all customers prior to credit issuance ? Require periodic review of key customers to ensure ongoing credit worthiness ? Establish limits of authority for credit issuance and terms (system or otherwise) ? Limit system access to alter credit limits and/or terms only to appropriate personnel ? Require manager approval for adjustments to and/or write-offs of A/R balances ? Sequentially number credit memo adjustments to A/R balances ? Require periodic reconciliation of the General Ledger to the Cash and A/R subsidiary ledger balances along with managerial review of this reconciliation ? Reconcile bank statements to the General Ledger on a regular basis ? Set-up lock-boxes for receipt of customer payments in order to limit the handling of checks and other forms of payment ? Establish a central point of contact for incoming mail, preferably someone without the ability to post cash and/or adjust customer A/R balances in the system ? Create summary reporting to be reviewed by management on a periodic basis, such as A/R aging, credit memos by customer, credit memos by employee, write-offs by customer, write-offs by employee, etc. ? Limit access to alter or create records in the customer master file to appropriate parties ? Batch receipt input data is compared to control totals and differences are investigated and resolved ? Mail account statements to customers ? Maintain support files in a secured area and restrict to appropriate personnel

Accounts Payable, Purchasing – To ensure that funds are disbursed only upon proper authorization of management, for valid business purposes, and that all disbursements are properly recorded. ? Formally document policies and procedures governing accounts payable and purchasing processes detailing timelines, responsibilities, actions, responsibilities, etc ? System access to create, edit, or delete purchase orders is restricted to appropriate personnel ? Ability to add, modify, or delete vendor records in the vendor master file is restricted to appropriate individuals ? All new vendors or major modifications to vendor information require manager approval ? The vendor master file is periodically purged of old and obsolete vendors ? A three-way match between the invoice, PO, and receiver must be present before payment is released to the vendor ? Adjustments to A/P balances (credit notes) require managerial approval and is restricted to appropriate personnel ? Check stock, signature plates, etc are appropriates secured and access is restricted to appropriate personnel ? Dual signatures are required on all manual check disbursements ? Positive pay account maintained at bank ? Check sequences and gaps are investigated ? Bank statements are reconciled to the general ledger regularly and reviewed by management ? Major supplier statements are reconciled to the A/P subsidiary ledger ? Support files are maintained in a secured area and restricted to appropriate personnel

Payroll – To ensure that payroll disbursements are made only upon proper authorization to bona fide employees, that payroll disbursement is properly recorded and that related legal requirements (such as payroll tax deposits) are complied with. ? Formally document policies and procedures governing payroll processes detailing timelines, responsibilities, actions, responsibilities, etc ? Access to add, modify, delete records from the employee master file is restricted to appropriate personnel. Modification to significant data (i.e. salaries, etc) requires managerial approval. ? Payroll is disbursed manually with picture ID only on an annual basis in order to validate that paychecks are for bona fide employees (i.e. not ghost employees) ? Support files are maintained in a secured area and restricted to appropriate personnel

Fixed Assets – To ensure that fixed assets are acquired and disposed of only upon proper authorization, are adequately safeguarded, and properly recorded. ? Formally document policies and procedures governing fixed asset-related processes detailing timelines, responsibilities, actions, responsibilities, etc ? Assets are appropriately secured ? Book to physical reconciliation is conducted annually to validate condition and existence ? Access to the fixed assets register is restricted to appropriate personnel ? Asset disposals and write-offs require managerial approval above certain levels ? Asset acquisitions must be approved in advance of purchase ? Pre-numbered asset tags are affixed to all fixed assets ? Asset valuations are periodically reviewed by management for continued relevance ? All supporting paperwork must be obtained prior to entry into the fixed asset register ? Support files are maintained in a secured area and restricted to appropriate personnel

Inventory ? To ensure that inventories are received and/or shipped only with proper authorization and documentation, properly recorded, and appropriately safeguarded. ? Formally document policies and procedures governing inventory-related processes detailing timelines, responsibilities, actions, responsibilities, etc ? Inventories are appropriately secured ? Book-to-physical or cycle counts are conducted periodically to validate condition and existence ? Inventory will only be received with valid support paperwork (i.e. PO) ? All inventory receipts must be verified for quantity and condition against the bill of lading and the packing slip and recorded on pre-number receiver forms or a log ? The receipts log is reviewed and reconciled to system receipts by management on a daily basis ? Support files are maintained in a secured area and restricted to appropriate personnel ? Inventories are periodically marked to market to ensure proper valuation ? Inventory write-offs require management review and approval ? System access to process inventory adjustments is restricted to appropriate personnel ? All inventory shipments must be accompanied by a valid order ? Periodic managerial review of open work orders, inventory aging reports, etc ? All shipments are recorded in a shipping log, which is reviewed and reconciled to the system shipments by management on a daily basis

Financial Closing or Reporting? To ensure that financial data is recorded, consolidated, and reported accurately, timely, and in compliance with US GAAP. ? Formally document policies and procedures governing financial closing processes detailing timelines, responsibilities, actions, responsibilities, etc ? Create and maintain a comprehensive close checklist of all close activities ? Closing checklist and binder with all supporting entries should be reviewed and approved by the controller and/or owner prior to close ? Segregate duties within the account reconciliation, journal posting, and management review/approval processes ? All non-standard, adjusting, and/or manual journal entries require management approval ? Establish a budgeting and forecasting process. Use trend analysis (horizontal and vertical) in order to sanity check results. Research and resolve any unusual variations ? Ability and/or access to post journal entries is limited to appropriate personnel

Understanding the underlying concepts behind basic accounting controls will allow you and your organization to create an internal control structure, both within accounting and beyond, that enables more effective and efficient operating and financial results. And one more thing it provides?a little extra peace of mind.

For more information on accounting and auditing, please visit The Accounting Nation website at http://www.accountingnation.com.

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The internet facilitates open and easy communication across the globe, and has made e-commerce possible. However, because of its unregulated nature, it poses a threat to the security of e-commerce systems. Hence, as an e-business owner, you should be ready to address an array of e-commerce security issues.

Here are some of the common problems created by hackers:

? Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks that will prevent authorized users from accessing your website. If this happens too often, your customers will walk away.

? Gaining access to sensitive data such as price lists, catalogues and intellectual property, and copying, changing or destroying the same. Who hasn?t been a victim of virus attack at some time?

? Altering your website. Unscrupulous rival companies might resort to such tactics in order to spoil your company?s image.

? Directing your customers to another site. You do the hard work, and someone else reaps the benefits.

Hence, you should introduce adequate e-commerce security control measures to reduce the risk to your systems. But remember, these controls should not be so restrictive that they impact the efficiency of your business.

Authentication: This is the technique of positively identifying someone seeking to access your e-commerce system. This usually involves any or all of the following:

? Assigning a user name and password combination to registered visitors.

? Instituting a two-factor verification process that requires confirmation of information known only to authentic users. For example, asking for an authentication token and a personal identification number.

? Scanning a person’s unique physical attribute such as a fingerprint or facial-feature.

Access control: In this type of control, access is restricted based on a need to know. This limits the number of people who can access a particular piece of information, and therefore reduces the risk of misdemeanor.

Encryption: This technique uses technologies like virtual private networks (VPNs) and secure socket layers (SSLs) to protect information that is being displayed on a computer or transmitted over a network. Companies like banks, which deal with sensitive information will most certainly encrypt data.

Firewall: This is either software or hardware that protects a server, network or computer system from attack by viruses and hackers. It is also a safeguard against user negligence. Many companies use the Kerberos protocol which uses symmetric secret key cryptography to restrict access to authorized employees.

Intrusion detection system (IDS): It inspects all inbound and outbound network activity and identifies any attempt being made to gain illegal access. If IDS suspects an attack, it generates an alarm or sends out an e-mail alert.

The importance of e-commerce security cannot be overemphasized. If your business strategy envisages the use of the internet, make sure that your systems are adequately protected. Books like ?The Business of E-commerce: From Corporate Strategy to Technology? and ?Security Becomes A Business Requirement For E-Commerce Companies? from might be useful in order to deepen your understanding. You might also like to check out the e-commerce security products and services

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Businesses are recognizing that without biometric access controls buddy punching and time card fraud contribute significantly to annual payroll costs. When not using biometric access controls is employees swiping other employee?s cards, or using another employee?s password to log hours that were not worked.Biometric access controls require employees be present to track hours. Companies overlook this biometric access controls principle focus on less expensive alternatives. Actually, the cost of a clock represents a fraction of the dollars saved versus a system not utilizing biometric access controls.

HR personnel are now educating themselves on biometric access controls and types of biometric access controls.

Give us a call for a free estimate!

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