The SOX Accelerator Program
Uplevel your SOX Program and Career in 2025
The SOX Accelerator Program provides a comprehensive blueprint for building, managing, and maintaining a modern Sarbanes-Oxley program, and arms you with the technical skills and strategies to become a SOX Leader and make more money.
First cohort starts January 15, 2025
Despite being introduced 21 years ago, many companies still struggle with SOX compliance.
Significant deficiencies and material weaknesses continue to occur.
Control owners are reluctant to engage with internal audit and SOX testing teams.
Audit committees and CFOs often treat SOX compliance as an afterthought.
SOX testers are dreaded in their organizations, and stuck in dead-end careers.
SOX is seen as an expensive compliance exercise and not a business enabler.
The SOX team is silo’d and operates independently from other GRC functions.
Even as businesses, leaders, and control owners change, the reputation of many SOX departments and internal audit leaders remains stagnant.
Unless you've spent over a decade at a leading SOX consulting firm, learning to run an effective SOX department is challenging.
Piecing together a workable SOX strategy from disparate vendor whitepapers, blog posts, and video content is difficult, especially with limited practical guidance on “how-to” apply the thought leadership.
There's no single trusted source for a step-by-step process to follow to manage a contemporary SOX program. Most available guidance consists of too many vague, high-level suggestions, and short-term "tricks" from individuals with limited practical experience.
No one has put it all under one roof — until now.
My new course, The SOX Accelerator Program, is the result of 20 years of SOX experience, proven methods, and actionable strategies gained from hundreds of conversations and observations from SOX leaders and teams.
Included are the key aspects, strategies, and resources that can take a SOX program from good to great, and the resources and environment needed to successfully transition your career from SOX Manager to SOX Leader, and SOX Leader to Business Executive.
What’s included in the Program?
My goal with The SOX Accelerator Program is to arm you with a complete strategy and the best practices to lead a world-class SOX compliance program, and to earn more money and promotions because of your ideas, efforts, improvements, and successes.
This first-of its-kind, 16-week learning program that includes:
If you're looking for a complete, comprehensive overview on how-to manage a leading SOX compliance program, this is it.
Straightforward, “How-to” Training
The SOX Accelerator Program is focused on providing actionable tactics and strategies across 9 expert-led presentations, 7 cohort roundtable discussions, and up to 16 hours of CPE credits.
What World-Class SOX and Internal Audit Leaders are Saying about The SOX Accelerator Program
I've attended Tom’s roundtables throughout the year, and I've been consistently impressed by his ability to find relevant and credible leaders to share their experiences and best practices. He also does a great job of highlighting how these best practices can be implemented in real-world scenarios. I would highly recommend the SOX Accelerator to any current or future SOX leader who is looking to expedite their knowledge and use of SOX strategies and tactics used by the best modern Internal Audit and Controls leaders.
Since 2014, Tom has established a reputation for bringing together credible internal audit and internal control leaders to share best practices, lessons learned, and their vision for Internal Audit's value. As a connector of leaders, Tom's programs accelerate industry-wide best practice execution. While most industry events fall short of action, Tom's drive and vision for actionable outcomes result in guidance and content that represent both industry standards and strategies set forth by the modern leaders he connects.
Based on our shared history and Tom's forward-looking focus, I recommend The SOX Accelerator program to anyone seeking to reduce time spent on SOX compliance. This program ultimately supports the expansion of internal audit's value-added initiatives, helping deliver results that meet or exceed Executive Management and Audit Committee expectations. As an added bonus, it's a great way to make new friends along the journey.
As someone who leads our organization's ERM and SOX Compliance programs, I can confidently say that there are few in our industry who have as good of a pulse on ‘what good looks like’ in SOX compliance as Tom. The SOX Accelerator program is poised for success because it brings together diverse, front-line perspectives from SOX practitioners and leaders in our field. This collective expertise makes it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to heighten their SOX compliance efforts.
When I participated in Tom's Rising Audit Leader forum, I particularly valued two aspects: hearing perspectives from other audit leaders facing similar challenges, and learning strategies to enhance conversations with senior executives. The upcoming SOX Accelerator Program promises to be equally valuable, offering participants the chance to learn from their peers while balancing technical SOX strategies with the soft skills crucial for leading a successful SOX program.
Tom has been an invaluable sounding board as I improve my approach to SOX compliance. His connections with other SOX leaders lend credibility to his strategies and opinions. Drawing from extensive experience with various SOX programs, Tom provides practical recommendations and deep knowledge of SOX processes and technology, which has significantly enhanced our own SOX process. The SOX Accelerator Program will benefit those aiming to elevate their SOX programs by offering perspectives, best practices, and insights from leading SOX experts.
I have attended a number of Tom’s SOX and Internal Audit roundtables and I can attest they will help anyone broaden their network, understand Internal Audit best practices used by their peers, and provide the building blocks to create and manage a contemporary SOX Program. I would recommend The SOX Accelerator program to anyone with any of these goals.
Tom's deep understanding of Internal Audit and his practical approach to SOX Compliance will help all who participate in The SOX Accelerator Program. I recommend his course because I know it will include actual best practices actively being used by SOX leaders, and easy to put into action. No textbook or theoretical lessons, and no fluff.
I’ve participated in training events organized by Tom. I always leave with better perspectives on the topics discussed, what actions I should take to improve, and perhaps most importantly, knowledge of areas where my peers have struggled so I can prevent my team from making the same mistakes. Tom is a great person to have in your network, and I would recommend any events and programs hosted by him.
The SOX Accelerator Program Classes and Leaders
The SOX Accelerator Program Introduction
Introduction and overview of the program
Current state and pain points of SOX compliance
Preparing to get the most out of The SOX Accelerator Program
The SOX Accelerator Program Introduction
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
This introductory session will introduce cohort members to the Program, and to suggest practices to get the most out of the course. An overview will include the current landscape of SOX compliance, SOX teams, and how current and rising SOX and Internal Audit professionals can improve their careers through documented plans of action and focused intent.
Learning Objectives:
Introduction to The SOX Accelerator Program
Current state and pain points of SOX Compliance
Preparing to get the most out of The SOX Accelerator Program
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Tom O’Reilly
Founder, Internal Audit Collective
Tom is the Founder of the Internal Audit Collective, where he helps Internal Audit and SOX professionals to obtain the knowledge and experience to help their companies succeed, and for the individual to advance their career and earn more money.
Prior to the Internal Audit Collective, Tom was one of the first 40 employees at AuditBoard, where he worked with more than 750 internal audit and SOX teams, and 1k+ internal auditors on their internal audit strategies, processes, and technologies.
Prior to AuditBoard, Tom was a Chief Audit Executive at Analog Devices, and former EY Risk Advisory Manager.
The SEC, PCAOB, and Regulatory Ecosystem
Understanding the roles of SEC, PCAOB, and other relevant organizations and how they impact an organization’s management, Audit Committee, the External Auditor, and the Investor
The transition of information from SEC to PCAOB to External Auditor to your Company
Key aspects of SEC regulations and the PCAOB (e.g. AS5)
Resources to keep abreast of regulatory changes that can impact SOX compliance
The SEC, PCAOB, and Regulatory Ecosystem
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
It's been 21 years since the Sarbanes Oxley compliance went in effect, and since then 100,000s of thousands of individuals have been involved helping their organization comply with SOX. However, for many, their SOX experiences have mostly included testing internal controls over financial reporting.
The session will provide a regulatory overview and history of SOX Compliance as a foundation for those who are interested in doing more than just testing controls to help their company’s approach to SOX Compliance. Understand key components of the SEC’s Sarbanes Oxley laws, and the PCAOB’s Auditing Standard #5, and how to use this knowledge when working with your Audit Committee, Senior Finance Leadership, and the External Auditor.
Learning Objectives:
Understanding the roles of SEC, PCAOB, and other relevant organizations and how they impact an organization’s management, Audit Committee, the External Auditor, and the Investor
The transition of information from SEC to PCAOB to External Auditor to your Company
Key aspects of SEC regulations and the PCAOB (e.g. AS5)
Resources to keep abreast of regulatory changes that can impact SOX compliance
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Matt Kelly
Founder, Radical Compliance
Matt Kelly is an independent compliance consultant who studies corporate compliance, governance, and risk management issues. He maintains a blog, RadicalCompliance.com, where he shares his thoughts on business issues and speaks on compliance, governance, and risk topics frequently.
Kelly was named as "Rising Star of Corporate Governance" by the Millstein Center for Corporate Governance in the inaugural class of 2008 and named to Ethisphere’s "Most Influential in Business Ethics" list in 2011 (no. 91) and 2013 (no. 77).
Kelly previously was editor of Compliance Week, a newsletter on corporate compliance, from 2006 through 2015. He lives in Boston, Mass., and can be reached at mkelly@RadicalCompliance.com or on Twitter at @compliancememe.
Putting the SOX Regulatory Ecosystem Knowledge to Work
Practice communicating the key aspects of the SEC’s Sarbanes Oxley laws and the PCAOB’s Auditing Standard #5
Sharing perspectives on when this knowledge could be useful during the course of a SOX Compliance program year
Understanding the resources available,by the government, external auditors, and other vendors that can help SOX teams keep abreast of relevant changes to SOX Compliance
How to apply this information to ensure management is only doing what’s needed for SOX Compliance, and nothing more
Putting the SOX Regulatory Ecosystem Knowledge to Work
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
This facilitated discussion will impress upon key takeaways of the prior week’s session, help attendees internalize key regulatory SOX compliance requirements, and highlight sources of key information to help support important SOX conversations in their organization.
Learning Objectives:
Practice communicating the key aspects of the SEC’s Sarbanes Oxley laws and the PCAOB’s Auditing Standard #5
Sharing perspectives on when this knowledge could be useful during the course of a SOX Compliance program year
Understanding the resources available,by the government, external auditors, and other vendors that can help SOX teams keep abreast of relevant changes to SOX Compliance
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Tom O’Reilly
Founder, Internal Audit Collective
Tom is the Founder of the Internal Audit Collective, where he helps Internal Audit and SOX professionals to obtain the knowledge and experience to help their companies succeed, and for the individual to advance their career and earn more money.
Prior to the Internal Audit Collective, Tom was one of the first 40 employees at AuditBoard, where he worked with more than 750 internal audit and SOX teams, and 1k+ internal auditors on their internal audit strategies, processes, and technologies.
Prior to AuditBoard, Tom was a Chief Audit Executive at Analog Devices, and former EY Risk Advisory Manager.
The SOX Top-down Risk Assessment and Rationalizing Controls
“How to” perform a SOX Risk Assessment to ensure that only the right key controls are performed and tested
Scoping considerations for multiple in-scope entities (full vs. limited scope)
Most common areas to reduce and rationalize controls
Entity-level controls considerations
Factors involved with Fraud and other risk assessments
The SOX Top-down Risk Assessment and Rationalizing Controls
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
Do you ever wonder why certain internal controls are in-scope for SOX compliance, or how that determination is made? The focus of this presentation is to provide a step-by-step approach to performing the SOX top-risk assessment, and to share perspectives on areas that are most common for controls rationalization.
Learning Objectives:
“How to” perform a SOX Risk Assessment to ensure that only the right key controls are performed and tested
Scoping considerations for multiple in-scope entities (full vs. limited scope)
Most common areas to reduce and rationalize controls
Entity-level controls considerations
Factors involved with Fraud and other risk assessments
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Adda Grace Power
Senior Director, Internal Audit at DropBox
Adda Grace Power, CISA, currently serves as the Senior Director and Head of Internal Audit at Dropbox, a position held since May 2022.
Prior to this role, Adda Grace Power spent nearly a decade at TripAdvisor, progressing from Director of SOX & Internal Audit to Senior Director, where responsibilities included establishing an internal audit department managing global operational, financial, Sarbanes-Oxley audits, and PCI DSS compliance.
Previous experience includes roles at Deloitte & Touche, focusing on various industries and internal control processes, as well as positions in consulting and residence life at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell.
Adda Grace Power holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from the University of Massachusetts, Lowell, completed in 2006.
Taking More Control of your SOX Controls
Walkthrough steps needed to determine what controls should be key for SOX compliance
Identify common areas and processes where too many controls exist
Practice supporting why controls were eliminated for External Auditor buy-in
Taking More Control of your SOX Controls
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
This session will teach and train cohort members how to take more ownership and control of what controls their organization should, and shouldn’t, be testing for their SOX compliance program. The meeting will discuss key takeaways from the prior week’s session on performing the top-down risk assessment and how to rationalize SOX controls.
Learning Objectives:
Walkthrough steps needed to determine what controls should be key for SOX compliance
Identify common areas and processes where too many controls exist
Practice supporting why controls were eliminated for External Auditor buy-in
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Tom O’Reilly
Founder, Internal Audit Collective
Tom is the Founder of the Internal Audit Collective, where he helps Internal Audit and SOX professionals to obtain the knowledge and experience to help their companies succeed, and for the individual to advance their career and earn more money.
Prior to the Internal Audit Collective, Tom was one of the first 40 employees at AuditBoard, where he worked with more than 750 internal audit and SOX teams, and 1k+ internal auditors on their internal audit strategies, processes, and technologies.
Prior to AuditBoard, Tom was a Chief Audit Executive at Analog Devices, and former EY Risk Advisory Manager.
Contemporary Considerations for Managing and Testing ITGCs
Defining and understanding IT SOX landscape
Scoping and rationalizing systems and IT general and application controls
ITGC testing best practices and considerations
Contemporary Considerations for Managing and Testing ITGCs
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
This session is designed to provide non IT SOX auditors with a deeper understanding of managing IT SOX through discussion of IT SOX and Application control frameworks, how to determine what ITGCs are needed, and when and how to harmonize IT controls to reduce testing.
Learning Objectives:
Defining and understanding IT SOX landscape
Scoping and rationalizing systems and IT general and application controls
ITGC testing best practices and considerations
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Matthew Weise
Lead Director, Cybersecurity Compliance
Matt Weise is a seasoned cybersecurity and compliance professional with over 15 years of experience in information security, regulatory compliance, and IT governance.
Currently serving as a Lead Director in Cybersecurity Compliance at a large Fortune 50 company, he oversees a team responsible for managing a broad range of cybersecurity assessments, including SOX, HIPAA, NIST 800-53, NIST CSF, and various state-specific regulations. With a deep understanding of regulatory frameworks and internal audit processes, Matt has led initiatives that ensure robust IT General Controls (ITGC) and alignment with industry standards.
He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and has a proven track record of driving compliance programs that protect organizations from evolving threats while maintaining operational efficiency.
Real-world Scenarios Managing an IT SOX Compliance Program
Common ITGC focus areas of external auditors
How to leverage scoping templates to ensure your control environment is right-sized for your organization
ITGC and application controls most prone to being deficient
Real-world Scenarios Managing an IT SOX Compliance Program
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
This focus of this facilitated discussion is to dive deeper into the prior week’s talking points and share perspectives on contemporary approaches to managing an IT controls environment. Discussion points will include the impact of changes to an organization’s tech stack on ITGCs, external technology changes impacts, and root causes to why IT Controls are deficient.
Learning Objectives:
Common ITGC focus areas of external auditors
How to leverage scoping templates to ensure your control environment is right-sized for your organization
ITGC and application controls most prone to being deficient
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Tom O’Reilly
Founder, Internal Audit Collective
Tom is the Founder of the Internal Audit Collective, where he helps Internal Audit and SOX professionals to obtain the knowledge and experience to help their companies succeed, and for the individual to advance their career and earn more money.
Prior to the Internal Audit Collective, Tom was one of the first 40 employees at AuditBoard, where he worked with more than 750 internal audit and SOX teams, and 1k+ internal auditors on their internal audit strategies, processes, and technologies.
Prior to AuditBoard, Tom was a Chief Audit Executive at Analog Devices, and former EY Risk Advisory Manager.
Control Testing, IPEs, and Managing Deficiencies
Understanding control testing techniques and levels of assurance
Managing IPEs to appease external auditor requests
Managing, assessing, and remediating control deficiencies
Reporting control testing results and issues
Control Testing, IPEs, and Managing Deficiencies
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
This session will discuss the how-to’s and best practices of control testing for SOX compliance, including documenting walkthroughs, performing observation, inspection, re-performance testing, documenting and assessing issues, and documenting end-user computing (EUC) or information prepared by entity (IPE) controls.
Learning Objectives:
Understanding control testing techniques and levels of assurance
Managing IPEs to appease external auditor requests
Managing, assessing, and remediating control deficiencies
Reporting control testing results and issues
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Dave Lorence, CPA, CISA
Director of Internal Audit at Rocket Companies
With over a decade of experience in internal and external audit services, Dave currently serves as the Director of Internal Audit at Rocket Companies. In this role, Dave supports both the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) compliance audit, and IT focused Internal Audits.
Prior to joining Rocket Companies, Dave spent nearly a decade at Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he rose to the position of Manager in Risk & Financial Advisory. During this time, Dave led numerous teams of various sizes in conducting comprehensive audits, provided insightful recommendations to improve business processes, and provided services to over 30+ companies.
Dave is recognized as a subject matter expert in SOX compliance and has extensive experience across various industries, including banking, retail, fintech, and automotive. He has a proven track record of leading successful system implementation reviews and developing risk control matrices to enhance IT control environments.
In addition to his technical expertise, Dave is a dedicated leader and mentor, known for cultivating strong relationships with business leaders and empowering his team to achieve excellence.
Mastering the Work of the Control Testers
Learning about shortcuts and best practices to leverage when testing internal controls
Data points to capture and report on when documenting observations and issues
Practicing talking points when discussing IPEs with control owners and external auditors
Mastering the Work of the Control Testers
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
Cohort members will have the opportunity to explore ways and share techniques to reduce time spent testing controls, determine type of information to be captured when control observations are identified, and ways their peers are sharing control testing and issue information with their team, management, the Board, and their External Auditor.
Additionally, cohort members will share best practices on appeasing external auditor requests involving documentation supporting Information prepared by entities (IPEs) and end-user computing controls.
Learning Objectives:
Learning about shortcuts and best practices to leverage when testing internal controls
Data points to capture and report on when documenting observations and issues
Practicing talking points when discussing IPEs with control owners and external auditors
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Tom O’Reilly
Founder, Internal Audit Collective
Tom is the Founder of the Internal Audit Collective, where he helps Internal Audit and SOX professionals to obtain the knowledge and experience to help their companies succeed, and for the individual to advance their career and earn more money.
Prior to the Internal Audit Collective, Tom was one of the first 40 employees at AuditBoard, where he worked with more than 750 internal audit and SOX teams, and 1k+ internal auditors on their internal audit strategies, processes, and technologies.
Prior to AuditBoard, Tom was a Chief Audit Executive at Analog Devices, and former EY Risk Advisory Manager.
Automation and Analytics of a Contemporary SOX Program
How to better use a purpose-built application for SOX compliance
Current and future Gen AI use cases
Setting and successfully rolling out a SOX data analytics program
Examples of analytics for more efficient sample selection and controls testing
Automating SOX tasks and controls (data collection, control performance)
Automation and Analytics of a Contemporary SOX Program
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
The use of technology for SOX compliance has increased exponentially in a matter of years. The session will highlight the advancements in the technology applications used for SOX compliance - including applications to centralize your SOX program, considerations on when and where to use data analytics, and how to use Generative AI to continue to minimize and eliminate time spent on non-value added activities in your SOX program.
Learning Objectives:
How to better use a purpose-built application for SOX compliance
Current and future Gen AI use cases
Setting and successfully rolling out a SOX data analytics program
Examples of analytics for more efficient sample selection and controls testing
Automating SOX tasks and controls (data collection, control performance)
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Trent Russell
Founder, Greenskies Analytics
Trent Russell is the Founder of Greenskies Analytics. At Greenskies, Trent develops audit analytics strategies, helps internal audit teams launch their data analytics initiatives, makes the analytics initiatives actually work, and moves internal audit teams up the analytics maturity model.
Prior to founding Greenskies Analytics, he served multiple industries in EY’s IT Risk Assurance practice. He later joined the Financial Service Office at EY and facilitated the development of data analytics procedures. Trent later led the audit analytics function for a higher ed and healthcare provider.
In addition to serving his clients, Trent hosts The Audit Podcast and facilitates quarterly audit analytics roundtables.
Improving the use of technology in your SOX compliance program.
GRC features to use to improve the control owner’s working experience
What processes and controls best leverage data analytic capabilities
Hearing of recent and new Generative AI use cases for SOX compliance
Understanding what parties outside of the SOX team need to be involved to leverage technology to its fullest capacity
Improving the use of technology in your SOX compliance program.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
Many internal audit and internal controls teams spend a significant amount of money on technology for their SOX program, but have barely scratched the surface on recognizing value and an ROI for their spend. This session will solicit and share feedback on the applications, features, and use cases best used to drive efficiencies in your SOX program.
Learning Objectives:
GRC features to use to improve the control owner’s working experience
What processes and controls best leverage data analytic capabilities
Hearing of recent and new Generative AI use cases for SOX compliance
Understanding what parties outside of the SOX team need to be involved to leverage technology to its fullest capacity
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Tom O’Reilly
Founder, Internal Audit Collective
Tom is the Founder of the Internal Audit Collective, where he helps Internal Audit and SOX professionals to obtain the knowledge and experience to help their companies succeed, and for the individual to advance their career and earn more money.
Prior to the Internal Audit Collective, Tom was one of the first 40 employees at AuditBoard, where he worked with more than 750 internal audit and SOX teams, and 1k+ internal auditors on their internal audit strategies, processes, and technologies.
Prior to AuditBoard, Tom was a Chief Audit Executive at Analog Devices, and former EY Risk Advisory Manager.
From SOX Manager to Business Leader
Establishing executive presence and improving executive communications
Building your personal brand
Ways to navigate the corporate bureaucracy of a public company
From SOX Manager to Business Leader
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
Being a great auditor and audit leader is one part of the puzzle. The other? Navigating the corporate environment in a way that best positions you for future opportunities and growth. Learn to get out of your own way and start seeing the recognition and progression you deserve with these secrets of the career game.
Learning Objectives:
Establishing executive presence and improving executive communications
Building your personal brand
Ways to navigate the corporate bureaucracy of a public company
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Kendall Berg
Founder, That Career Coach
As the founder of That Career Coach, Kendall Berg helps her clients and followers understand how to find progression, recognition, and support in their careers. She has been featured in Newsweek, US News and World Report, and Business Insider sharing her tips and advice. She also regularly supports her more than 500K followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube with her take on playing the corporate game.
Prior to starting her company, Kendall worked with and for some of the largest companies in the world including Capital One, JP Morgan Chase, Samsung, and AT&T. In her role as a Director of Technology Strategy with these companies she has led strategic initiatives and culture programs geared towards career progression supporting 100s of thousands of employees. Over the course of her career, she has spoken to peer audiences of more than 1000 people and traveled the country sharing her advice with clients and corporations alike.
Kendall’s “That Career Coach” social media and podcast provides insights on corporate behind the scenes, recommendations on how to advocate for yourself and progress your career, and advice for navigating difficult interpersonal situations.
Raising your Prominence as a Business Leader
Techniques to build your personal brand as a SOX Leader and your business reputation as a trusted risk advisor
Identity situations where changes in communication style are most warranted
Strategies to leverage to improve the chances of getting what you need to uplevel your SOX program and career
Raising your Prominence as a Business Leader
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
There is a reason why many prominent business leaders, including those leading SOX functions, may not be the most technically savvy or proficient. It’s because they’ve mastered the art of working with people, establishing a great personal brand, and developing a reputation as a future business leader. This session will explore best practices successfully used to uplevel your reputation as a leader in your organization, and role-play situations where leadership may be most needed in your SOX program.
Learning Objectives:
Techniques to build your personal brand as a SOX Leader and your business reputation as a trusted risk advisor
Identity situations where changes in communication style are most warranted
Strategies to leverage to improve the chances of getting what you need to uplevel your SOX program and career
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Tom O’Reilly
Founder, Internal Audit Collective
Tom is the Founder of the Internal Audit Collective, where he helps Internal Audit and SOX professionals to obtain the knowledge and experience to help their companies succeed, and for the individual to advance their career and earn more money.
Prior to the Internal Audit Collective, Tom was one of the first 40 employees at AuditBoard, where he worked with more than 750 internal audit and SOX teams, and 1k+ internal auditors on their internal audit strategies, processes, and technologies.
Prior to AuditBoard, Tom was a Chief Audit Executive at Analog Devices, and former EY Risk Advisory Manager.
External Auditor and Audit Committee Chair Perspectives - A Fireside Chat
External auditor and Audit Committee expectations of a SOX team and leader
Considerations when meeting Audit Committee during AC meetings, prep meetings, and the Executive Session
“What Good Looks Like” - the partnership of Internal Audit, External Audit, the CFO, and Audit Committee
External Auditor and Audit Committee Chair Perspectives - A Fireside Chat
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
Listen and participate in a 1:1 interview with a former external audit partner and current Audit Committee chair for actual perspectives and insights on how the SOX team, and its leader, can better partner with their external auditor and serve their Audit Committee.
Learning Objectives:
External auditor and Audit Committee expectations of a SOX team and leader
Considerations when meeting Audit Committee during AC meetings, prep meetings, and the Executive Session
“What Good Looks Like” - the partnership of Internal Audit, External Audit, the CFO, and Audit Committee
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
George Neble
Audit Committee Chair, former Boston Office Managing Partner, EY
George Neble is currently the chair of the audit committee and member of the Board of Directors of Intapp, Inc (Nasdaq-INTA) and Everquote (Nasdaq-EVER) and serves on the board of directors of various privately held companies along with a number of non-profit organizations.
In addition, Neble has over 40 years of accounting and auditing experience working with public and private companies , primarily in the technology industry along with other commercial entities.
From 2012 to 2017, Neble served as the Northeast Market Leader and Managing Partner of the Boston office of EY after serving there as a senior Assurance partner for the previous 10 years. Neble was also an Assurance partner at Arthur Andersen in a career that spanned from 1978-2002.
He is a certified public accountant with extensive experience in accounting, SEC and financial reporting matters. Neble received a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Boston College in 1978.
Managing the Modern, Strategic SOX Program
The SOX Leader’s relationship with the External Auditor
Direct and indirect reliance strategies to ease the external auditor’s work
Educating and advocating to improve the the culture of controls compliance
Using SOX as a foundation for internal audit and risk management success
Managing the Modern, Strategic SOX Program
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
The most important part of a SOX program’s success is not how fast they test controls, or how few ICFR they have. It’s the SOX Leader’s ability to manage key relationships and to use the SOX program to elevate their organization’s approach to enterprise risk management. This session will share best practices on working with external auditors, senior leaders, SOX customers, and discuss strategies to drive positive change in your business.
Learning Objectives:
The SOX Leader’s relationship with the External Auditor
Direct and indirect reliance strategies to ease the external auditor’s work
Educating and advocating to improve the the culture of controls compliance
Using SOX as a foundation for internal audit and risk management success
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Jeff Ambrose
Vice President, Internal Audit, DraftKings
Jeff joined DraftKings in August 2024 as the Head of Internal Audit, overseeing the Enterprise Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) program and providing independent Assurance activities for key Corporate risks. Jeff has over 20 years of experience in Risk Management, SOX, Financial and Technology Audit, Fraud Investigations and Data Analytics.
Jeff started his career at Deloitte on the Enterprise Risk Services team, focusing on Internal Audit and Controls Assurance in the early days of SOX. He later moved to American Tower, where he helped build and lead a US and Global Internal Audit function. Most recently, Jeff spent the last 10+ years at CVS Health leading a team of audit professionals over SOX,
Corporate Audit, Fraud Detection and Deterrence and SOC reporting.
Jeff has his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Boston College in Accounting and Information Systems.
He lives outside Boston with his wife, two active young kids and enjoys all things New England, spending whatever free time he can on Lake Winnipesaukee in NH and downtown Newport, RI.
Accelerating SOX Compliance - Program Completion
Share best practices partnering with your External Auditor
Learn how to improve the experience of performing controls for control owners
Explore opportunities to expand SOX work to lead your organization’s Connected Risk Strategy and approach.
Make the most out of lessons learned in the SOX Accelerator Program
Accelerating SOX Compliance - Program Completion
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
12 - 1 PM (Eastern Time)
1 hour
Description:
This final session of the SOX Accelerator Program will build upon strategies shared in the prior week’s session and identify additional practices to transition your SOX Program from mediocre to world-class by implementing training programs for control owners, being seen as an advocate for SOX Compliance in your organization, and ways to expand upon your SOX responsibilities to other needed risk efforts.
Learning Objectives:
Share best practices partnering with your External Auditor
Learn how to improve the experience of performing controls for control owners
Explore opportunities to expand SOX work to lead your organization’s Connected Risk Strategy and approach
Make the most out of lessons learned in the SOX Accelerator Program
CPE Credits
1 credit
Field of Study
Specialized knowledge
Instructional Method
Group Internet-based
Prerequisites
None
Advanced Preparation
None
Tom O’Reilly
Founder, Internal Audit Collective
Tom is the Founder of the Internal Audit Collective, where he helps Internal Audit and SOX professionals to obtain the knowledge and experience to help their companies succeed, and for the individual to advance their career and earn more money.
Prior to the Internal Audit Collective, Tom was one of the first 40 employees at AuditBoard, where he worked with more than 750 internal audit and SOX teams, and 1k+ internal auditors on their internal audit strategies, processes, and technologies.
Prior to AuditBoard, Tom was a Chief Audit Executive at Analog Devices, and former EY Risk Advisory Manager.
How The SOX Accelerator Program Works
The SOX Accelerator Program starts Wednesday, January 15, 2025, runs for 16 weeks, and finishes April 30, 2025.
Expert-led presentations (weeks 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 15) and cohort discussions (weeks 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, and 16) will be for one hour.
Additional pre-reading, and discussion pre-work may be involved, but should not take more than 1 hour per week.
Expert-led presentations will be held every Wednesday from 12 - 1 PM eastern time and involve all participants of The SOX Accelerator Program.
To encourage full participation from everyone, cohort discussions will be limited to 15 participants. Cohort discussions will be held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and run from 12 - 1 PM eastern.
Participants will be assigned to a cohort at the beginning of the program. Assignments will be based on participants availability and flexiblity. Depending on the number of participants, additional cohort discussions may be scheduled.
MORE than just one-hour presentations.
The SOX Accelerator Program includes more than just CPE accredited presentations. The course was built with bonus resources to not only provide the training, but help you change the way you work.
The SOX Accelerator Program Syllabus
Includes copeis of meeting presentations, optional and recommended pre-readings, cohort discussion talking points, and additional resources to help uplevel your SOX knowledge and career.
12-month Access to the Internal Audit Collective Community
An online, managed Slack community for all cohort members to continue to build relationships and network, and to share best practices and templates on SOX compliance, Internal Audit, and other risk management initiatives with others who are part of the broader IAC community.
Who is this Course For?
The SOX Accelerator Program was built for:
Current SOX leaders (on the 2nd or 3rd line) who are continuously seeking new ways to improve their organization’s SOX program.
Rising SOX Leaders (Experienced Managers, Senior Managers, and Directors) who aspire to lead their own SOX department one day, either at their current company or another, or take on a role that directly reports to an Internal Controls Leader.
SOX practitioners (Experenced Seniors and Managers) who were not trained formally on SOX compliance and do not have access to SOX-specific training in their own company.
The program content is as useful to pre-IPO SOX leaders as it is to those leading SOX efforts of the Fortune 100.
And while this program is focused on SOX compliance, current or future Internal Control leaders of other functions (e.g. Model Audit Rule) will find that 90%+ of the course content relevant to them as well.
Over the past decade, Tom has built an extensive and impressive network of Internal Audit and SOX leaders and practitioners, gaining insights into what constitutes "world-class" performance. Having attended Tom's events, I've witnessed numerous leaders (myself included) experience breakthrough moments during his facilitated discussions. Additionally, having personally worked on Tom's team when he was a CAE, Tom has been one of my closest and valuable mentors and can attest that few in our industry match his knowledge and passion for Internal Audit. I'm confident that The SOX Accelerator Program will provide an exceptional opportunity for those aspiring to lead a cutting-edge SOX department.
Tom’s expertise in SOX compliance has been invaluable in my growth as an IT Auditor. His guidance not only improved my understanding of SOX best practices but also helped me significantly reduce the time spent on testing ITGCs. Thanks to Tom, I’ve been able to make a more efficient and positive impact on our organization’s SOX program.
Over the past several years, I have attended and participated in several of Tom’s events, including training and roundtables with other internal audit and internal control leaders. Tom’s events have always been thoughtfully curated, thought-provoking, and relevant. I consistently leave with a deeper understanding of my peers' focus areas, potential ways to enhance my internal controls function and SOX program, and a network of new connections to like-minded leaders. Tom has an authentic passion to grow the collective skillsets of internal audit and internal control leaders, and it shows through his high-quality events and interactions.
Having been a part of a Rising SOX Leader program put on by Tom, I was surprised by how much I took away from the others who participated in the forum. The group includes future SOX and Audit leaders of similar sized companies, which was important to me. And the facilitated discussions focused on the areas most relevant to SOX - rationalizing controls, better managing ITGCs, and working with the external auditor are a few. I left not only with strategies to help improve our company’s approach to SOX compliance, but with the confidence that these strategies work because they were validated by my peers.
The SOX Accelerator Program is not for everyone.
You're a good fit for this course if:
You’ve never received formal training on the technical aspects of SOX compliance
You understand that this program is an asset and a tool, and you’ll need to use it.
You are open and flexible to new ideas, and that there is not one “right” or “wrong” approach to managing a SOX program.
You recognize that a large part of success involves not only your strategies, but having a network of like-minded individuals to share perspective with and learn from.
You’re willing to reach out and get the help you need when you get stuck.
You’re not a good fit for this course if:
You are not respectful, or quickly dismissive of new ideas or perspectives of your peers.
You are looking to only learn, and not share your thoughts and converse with your peers when opportunities arise to do so.
You are just looking to get CPEs.
You are expecting The SOX Accelerator Program to be technical manual to test and document controls or how to use GRC applications.
Register for the SOX Accelerator Program
Register for the SOX Accelerator Program until November 30, 2024 and save 10% on the registration fee
9 expert-led presentation
7 peer roundtable conversations
Syllabus with all shared presentations and templates
BONUS 12 month access to the Internal Audit Collective Community
Our Testimonials
I would recommend the SOX Accelerator to anyone looking to improve their company’ approach to SOX compliance. The program’s focus on contemporary strategies and practical, hands-on approach, combined with Tom’s extensive network of industry experts, provides a roadmap for transitioning SOX programs from mediocre to world-class.
Tom has created a playbook for SOX compliance that currently does not exist anywhere else today. Having benefited from Tom’s ability to use his network to identify best practices, I can confidently recommend the SOX Accelerator Program for anyone who aims to lead a more contemporary SOX program and for Internal Auditors who would like to use their SOX program as a catapult to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in Internal Audit.
I had the opportunity to work on Tom’s team. Tom’s leadership and excitement for the possibilities of what Internal Auditors can do contributed to me devoting my career to Internal Audit and SOX compliance. Those who participate in The SOX Accelerator program will benefit from his experience, best practices, motivation, and enthusiasm.
I have worked with Tom several times throughout my professional career and I was also a member of one of Tom’s Rising Audit Leader programs. What I found the most beneficial from the program was the opportunity to discuss different approaches to auditing and hear what worked well and what didn’t from my peers in similar positions across a variety of industries. Tom facilitated a truly unique experience with many tangible learnings and takeaways.
Who’s Behind This
Hi - I’m Tom O’Reilly.
I help Internal Audit and SOX professionals uplevel their programs and careers.
A modern and contemporary Internal Audit and SOX Leader doesn’t show up to work to make sure controls are tested or audits completed.
We work with a sense of purpose and urgency to enable positive change in our business - to make it easier for our key stakeholders to win through better risk management and controls performance.
We believe that better controls and better managed risks means better business performance.
And so we strive to maximize the output of our current SOX and Internal Audit responsibilities to help our companies win.
Our community of forward-thinking business leaders is growing. These leaders will win by being experts of their domain, execute sound strategies, and have real-time access to a network of their peers.
Are you ready to lead from the front?
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
The SOX Accelerator Program was built for:
Current SOX program leaders (on the 2nd or 3rd line) who are seeking new ways to continuously improve their organization’s SOX Program.
Rising SOX Leaders (ExperiencedManagers, Senior Managers, and Directors) who aspire to lead their own SOX department one day, either at their current company or another, or take on a role that directly reports to an Internal Controls leader.
SOX practitioners (Staff, Seniors, and Managers) who were not trained formally on SOX Compliance in a consulting firm and do not have access to SOX-specific training in their own company.
The program content is as useful to pre-IPO SOX leaders as it is to those leading SOX efforts of the Fortune 100.
And while this program is focused on SOX Compliance, current or future Internal Control leaders of other functions (e.g. Model Audit Rule) will find that 90%+ of the course content relevant to them as well.
Who are you? And what is the Internal Audit Collective?
Hi - I’m Tom O’Reilly. I help internal audit and SOX professionals uplevel their programs and careers.
You can read more about my backstory and why I built the Internal Audit Collective here.
Are the CPEs NASBA certified?
Yes
What if I cannot attend all of the meetings?
You will receive CPE credits for all sessions that you attend.
You will receive a certificate of completion for participating in 80% of the meetings (13 total)
I don’t lead my SOX department - am I allowed to register?
Yes, attendance is open to anyone who is interested in upleveling their companies approach to SOX compliance.
Those that will likely benefit from the sessions the most will likely have at least four years of SOX experience.
OK - I’m sold. What happens after I pay for the course?
Once you are registered, you will receive a welcome email, which will include the program syllabus with meeting information and materials. You will be asked to choose what breakout sessions you’d like to attend (7 total). You’ll then receive meeting invites.
What do I do if I have any additional questions?
Email me at: Tom@InternalAuditCollective.com - and I’ll get back to you asap.
Are you offering the class again?
Currently, there are no additional classes scheduled. If you are interested in attending a future class, add your name to a waitlist here and we will follow up with you.