AICPA 2008 Top Technology Initiatives Survey Shows Other Changes
NEW YORK, Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Information Security Management will be
the most important initiative affecting IT strategy, investment and
implementation in business organizations over the next 12-18 months, according
to the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' 19th Annual Top
Technology Initiatives survey.
IT Governance moved up the list from sixth to second place this year,
reflecting the market's renewed emphasis on corporate governance and
responsibility.
"We believe this year's list is reflective of our environment, with the
top four technology initiatives relating to strategies that safeguard an
organization's assets and ensure its well being," said Barry Melancon,
President and CEO of the AICPA.
"This survey enables CPAs to stay up-to-date on the latest technology
initiatives to advise their clients, customers and employers on the strategies
they should consider undertaking," Melancon said. The AICPA poll was conducted
in late 2007 with ISACA, the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the
Information Technology Alliance (ITA). Respondents identified the top 10 most
important technology initiatives for 2008 as follows:
1. Information Security Management
2. IT Governance
3. Business Continuity Management and Disaster Recovery Planning
4. Privacy Management
5. Business Process Improvement, Workflow, and Process Exceptions Alerts
6. Identity and Access Management
7. Conforming to Assurance and Compliance Standards
8. Business Intelligence
9. Mobile and Remote Computing
10. Document, Forms, Content and Knowledge Management
"Recent studies show that investors are willing to pay a premium of up to
20 percent more for shares of enterprises with reputations for good IT
governance practices; properly governed IT is critical to an organization's
success," said Lynn Lawton, International President of ISACA.
Business process improvement was number five on this year's list,
reflecting the significant focus placed on internal controls to reduce error
and fraud by both public and private companies. "Clearly, business process and
workflow documentation has increased in importance within organizations
today," said Heriot Prentice, Director of Standards and Guidance for the IIA.
Mobile and remote computing was also cited as a priority. "Organizations
are realizing substantial gains in efficiency and worker productivity through
the extended office hours and increased flexibility that mobile and remote
computing solutions bring," said Ron Eagle, ITA President.
For a complete list of definitions and more information on the list, visit
www.aicpa.org/toptech.
Methodology
In addition to its Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP)
credential holders and IT section members, the AICPA collaborated with the
IIA, ISACA and the ITA because their members share similar perspectives on the
top technology initiatives impacting business today. The survey was conducted
in Fall 2007 under the supervision of a task force led by David M. Cieslak,
CPA, CITP, GSEC, and Chairman of the AICPA's Information Technology Executive
Committee. A selective group of 1,169 finance, accounting and technology
participants ranked 29 technology initiatives they felt would have the most
significant impact on their organizations in the next 12 to 18 months.
About the AICPA
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (www.aicpa.org) is
the national, professional association of CPAs, with more than 350,000
members, including CPAs in business and industry, public practice, government,
and education; student affiliates; and international associates. It sets
ethical standards for the profession and U.S. auditing standards for audits of
private companies; federal, state and local governments; and non-profit
organizations. It develops and grades the Uniform CPA Examination.
The AICPA is the sponsor of a national public-education effort called 360
Degrees of Financial Literacy (www.360financialliteracy.org), designed to
improve the financial understanding of Americans at all age levels. A related
campaign, Feed the Pig (www.feedthepig.org), co-sponsored with the Ad Council,
is designed to help Americans aged 25 - 34 save for long-term financial
security.
The AICPA maintains offices in New York, NY; Washington, DC; Durham, NC;
Ewing, NJ; and Lewisville, TX.
Media representatives are invited to visit the AICPA Online Media Center
at www.aicpa.org/mediacenter.
More information is available on the Web about the AICPA's partners in the
survey at www.isaca.org, www.italliance.com, and www.theiia.org.
SOURCE American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Mitchell Slepian of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants,
+1-212-596-6177, or mslepian@aicpa.org
