Career Techniques in IT Governance / Audit January 8, 2008 Sponsored by: Presented by: Colonial Properties Trust ITAC Solutions Outplacement Consulting Services Resources Global Professionals

2 Agenda Panelist Introductions Presentation & panel discussion Market Outlook Salary Expectations Advancement Opportunities / Career Paths Corporate vs. Consulting vs. Non-traditional Resume Writing Do’s and Don’ts Interviewing Tips Questions and Answers

3 Today’s Panel Facilitator Gib Johnson - Managing Director, Birmingham Practice, Resources Global Professionals (Contact information: or Panelists Clint Landman - SVP of Accounting Operations and Internal Audit, Colonial Properties Trust (Contact information: or Brian Pitts – Co-owner, ITAC Solutions (Contact information: or Dr. Art Cara – Owner & Corporate Career Consultant, Outplacement Consulting Services (OCS) (Contact information: or Joan Davis – Recruiting and Client Service Director, Birmingham Practice -- Resources Global Professionals Contact information: or

4 Market Outlook Internal Audit function has been legitimized through SOX compliance and corporate fraud as noted at Enron, Tyco, HealthSouth. IT Audit is a key focus for internal and external auditors Technology has grown as a key business enabler, yet the controls have not kept pace The need for qualified IT Auditors on staff is more and more important. Ensure that the data being reported both internally & externally to shareholders is complete and accurate. Specific needs include: Tracking and testing all significant system changes…primarily to financial systems The need to properly segregate system access Even controlling access and changes to spreadsheets that house financial data

5 Salary Expectations Research is key! There are several salary calculators on the Internet: and In addition to consulting these calculators, job candidates should always conduct audience analysis before responding to salary questions. A sample from Salary.com: IT Auditor I - $36,698 - $58,059 IT Auditor II - $46,008 - $75,785 IT Auditor III - $58,180 - $88,907 IT Audit Manager - $74,937 - $113,876 Your specific place in the range would depend on years of service with the company, years of experience in the industry, number of direct reports, etc.

6 Advancement Opportunities / Career Paths Career paths within the IT Audit arena would include: IT Auditing IT Controls Consulting IT Process Evaluation including Change Control Process Application Security Evaluation Software Development Process Evaluation Advancement Opportunities may include: Certified Internal Audit (CIA) certification Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) certification Knowledge of the COBIT Risk framework Training on IT-related risks and controls in general Career Paths and Advancement Opportunities can be predicted by 80% or more through testing and assessment. Assessment takes much of the guesswork out of what a person can do, will do, and is a good fit for. All “succession planning” should be founded on “bench-strength” testing and assessment.

7 Corporate vs. Consulting vs. Non-traditional Non-traditional (e.g. Resources Global) Work side by side with the client’s team, execute plans, solve problems and transfer knowledge. Move from initiative to initiative within the client’s organization. Consulting career Sell specific services, execute standardized methodologies, develop junior staff, and manage the practice. Corporate career Manage standardized business processes and optimize performance. Interim executive Serve in corporate roles and execute within the company’s standardized business processes. Drive change Manage standard processes Self directed practice Traditional career

8 Resume Writing Do’s and Don’ts Composing effective resumes hasn’t changed in decades. First impressions get you second looks. All resumes should be: grammatically correct, spell checked, & proof read checked for verb tense aesthetically pleasing accurate One new feature  today resumes also must be electronically scannable! Focus on keywords and key terms using bold letters Audit, SOX, Compliance, Segregation of Duties Concentrate on the last 8 – 12 years of functional experience

9 Interviewing Tips Research the company. Be knowledgeable about their current position in the market, revenues, latest major events, etc. Dress for success. Dressing well immediately sends a positive first impression and lets the interviewer know you are serious about the position The first interview is a lot about the job candidate’s personality. If the interviewer does not like the interviewee’s personality, then there will not be a second interview! “Behavioral interviewing” predominates corporate HR departments. Behavioral interviewers focus on the job candidate’s “behavior” instead of their technical skills. Be aware, be prepared, be confident: roughly 68-97% of our communication is nonverbal. Have valid reasons you are looking for a change. NO negative comments about your current employer. Do NOT read your resume in an interview. Always be prepared to ask several questions at the end of the interview. This shows interest in the position and the company. Keep scope of questions to the open position and the company. Don’t mention salary requirements or ask about salary ranges. Write a handwritten follow up note, if possible.

10 Questions & Answers Questions???