Business Services Industry
Quick and dirty spreadsheets
Internal Auditor, April, 2006 by Torsten Bremer
Alyssa G. Martin's article "Get Spreadsheets Under Control" ("Computers & Auditing," December 2005) describes a high risk that threatens most organizations. Martin finds "quick and dirty" spreadsheet programming with a wide range of operational risk in every business unit she audits. Hence, the reason that the company I work for decided a few years ago not to stop the use of spreadsheets, but to use them in a sound and straightforward way.
We apply the same rules to spreadsheets as to other "real programs." First, identify all the spreadsheets that are used--you'll be surprised how many spreadsheets exist. Second, categorize the spreadsheets according to their risk potential. Third, secure all formulas, macros, etc., making sure to separate input, procession, and output. Finally, have someone other than the developer or the programmer test the spreadsheets before moving them to the production environment.
When auditing business units, we use a tool that helps identify unsecured cells, hidden cells, formula cells, and references. This tool helps clearly identify the operational risks and what focus to put on it. During the past few years, we have minimized risks associated with spreadsheet programming to an acceptable level.
TORSTEN BREMER, CIA
Nassauische Sparkasse
Manager, Central and IT Audit
Wiesbaden, Germany
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