Developing, Validating and Using Internal Ratings

Deliver increased value by embedding quality into internal audit activities Internal Audit Quality: Developing a Quality Assurance and Improvement Program is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to better practice internal auditing. Written by a global expert in audit quality, this guide is the first to provide complete coverage of the elements that comprise an effective internal audit quality assurance and improvement program. Readers will find practical solutions for monitoring and measuring internal audit performance drawn from The IIA's International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, and complemented by advice and case studies from leading audit practitioners from five different continents. Major corporate and financial collapses over the past decade have challenged the value of internal audit. With an increased focus on internal audit's role in good governance, management is increasingly demanding that internal audit provides assurance of the quality of its own activities. The IIA standards provide a framework for audit quality in the form of mandatory guidance . Recent research indicates that the majority of internal audit functions do not fully comply with the standards and, as a result, are not servicing the needs of their organizations as well as they might. Internal Audit Quality offers a roadmap to internal audit quality, providing readers the guidance they need to: Embed quality into all elements of internal audit from strategic and operational planning down to day-to-day tasks Create well-defined internal audit programs and procedures Independently self-assess internal audit quality and performance Conform with the IIA standards and better practice Provide assurance over internal audit efficiency and effectiveness Deliver value by meeting stakeholder expectations As a key component of good governance, internal audit is on the rise. The days of retrospective, compliance-focused auditing is a thing of the past. Organizations expect more of internal audit, and many internal audit activities are accepting the challenge. Rather than relying on audit supervision and external assessments, modern auditors are embedding quality into audit activities to create effective programs. For the auditor looking to distinguish themselves as leading edge, Internal Audit Quality provides the guidance that enables the right work, at the right time, in the right way.

Credit rating agencies play a critical role in capital markets, guiding the asset allocation of institutional investors as private capital moves freely around the world in search of the best trade-off between risk and return. However, they have also been strongly criticised for failing to spot the Asian crisis in the early 1990s, the Enron, WorldCom and Parmalat collapses in the early 2000s and finally for their ratings of subprime-related structured finance instruments and their role in the current financial crisis. This book is a guide to ratings, the ratings industry and the mechanics and economics of obtaining a rating. It sheds light on the role that the agencies play in the international financial markets. It avoids the sensationalist approach often associated with studies of rating scandals and the financial crisis, and instead provides an objective and critical analysis of the business of ratings. The book will be of practical use to any individual who has to deal with ratings and the ratings industry in their day-to-day job. Reviews «Rating agencies fulfil an important role in the capital markets, but given their power, they are frequently the object of criticism. Some of it is justified but most of it portrays a lack of understanding of their business. In their book The Rating Agencies and their Credit Ratings, Herwig and Patricia Langohr provide an excellent economic background to the role of rating agencies and also a thorough understanding of their business and the problems they face. I recommend this book to all those who have an interest in this somewhat arcane but extremely important area.» -Robin Monro-Davies, Former CEO, Fitch Ratings. «At a time of unprecedented public and political scrutiny of the effectiveness and indeed the basic business model of the Credit Rating industry, and heightened concerns regarding the transparency and accountability of the leading agencies, this book provides a commendably comprehensive overview, and should provide invaluable assistance in the ongoing debate.» -Rupert Atkinson, Managing Director, Head of Credit Advisory Group, Morgan Stanley and member of the SIFMA Rating Agency Task Force «The Langohrs have provided useful information in a field where one frequently finds only opinions or misconceptions. They supply a firm base from which to understand changes now underway. A well-read copy of this monograph should be close to the desk of every investor, issuer and financial regulator, legislator or commentator.» -John Grout, Policy and Technical Director, The Association of Corporate Treasurers

All the information and tools needed to set up a successful method validation system Validating Chromatographic Methods brings order and Current Good Manufacturing Practices to the often chaotic process of chromatographic method validation. It provides readers with both the practical information and the tools necessary to successfully set up a new validation system or upgrade a current system to fully comply with government safety and quality regulations. The net results are validated and transferable analytical methods that will serve for extended periods of time with minimal or no complications. This guide focuses on high-performance liquid chromatographic methods validation; however, the concepts are generally applicable to the validation of other analytical techniques as well. Following an overview of analytical method validation and a discussion of its various components, the author dedicates a complete chapter to each step of validation: Method evaluation and further method development Final method development and trial method validation Formal method validation and report generation Formal data review and report issuance Templates and examples for Methods Validation Standard Operating Procedures, Standard Test Methods, Methods Validation Protocols, and Methods Validation Reports are all provided. Moreover, the guide features detailed flowcharts and checklists that lead readers through every stage of method validation to ensure success. All of the templates are also included on a CD-ROM, enabling readers to easily work with and customize them. For scientists and technicians new to method validation, this guide provides all the information and tools needed to develop a top-quality system. For those experienced with method validation, the guide helps to upgrade and improve existing systems. Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

Recognizing and Correcting Developing Malocclusions: A Problem-Oriented Approach to Orthodontics provides an evidence-based approach to early treatment, an often-controversial topic. Based on decades of experience in clinical practice and education, Drs. Ara?jo and Buschang clearly present treatment protocols for mixed-dentition patients with various malocclusions and other orthodontic problems. Class I, Class II, and Class III malocclusions are covered extensively, along with eruptive deviations and open-bite malocclusions. The literature is comprehensively reviewed to ensure that the reader thoroughly understands the development, phenotypic characteristics and etiology of each type of malocclusion. Taking a problem-oriented approach, the authors provide detailed information for each case, develop comprehensive problem lists, and then provide evidence-based treatment solutions. The clinical focus of the text is ideal suited for private-practice clinician, with numerous references and academic underpinnings to ensure its suitability for orthodontic and pediatric dentistry residents. Focuses solely on mixed dentition orthodontic treatments Great variety of case studies—5 to 10 cases per chapter Each case is presented in the format of a problem list and evidence-based solutions More than 300 clinical photographs and radiographs

Designing and Developing Scalable IP Networks takes a “real world” approach to the issues that it covers. The discussions within this book are rooted in actual designs and real development, not theory or pure engineering papers. It recognises and demonstrates the importance of taking a multi-vendor approach, as existing network infrastructure is rarely homogenous and its focus is upon developing existing IP networks rather than creating them from scratch. This global book based on the author’s many years’ experience of designing real scalable systems, is an essential reference tool that demonstrates how to build a scalable network, what pitfalls to avoid and what mechanisms are the most successful in real life for engineers building and operating IP networks. It will be ideal for network designers and architects, network engineers and managers as well as project managers and will be of particular relevance to those studying for both JNCIE and CCIE exams.

Developing and Delivering Practice-based Evidence promotes a range of methodological approaches to complement traditional evidence-based practice in the field of psychological therapies. Represents the first UK text to offer a coherent and programmatic approach to expand traditional trials methodology in the field of psychological therapies by utilizing evidence gained by practitioners Includes contributions from UK and US scientist-practitioners who are leaders in their field Features content appropriate for practitioners working alone, in groups, and for psychological therapy services

Praise for Developing and Enhancing Teamwork in Organizations «Few questions are more vital and important than teamwork, in an increasingly interdependent and connected world. This volume is a unique and essential reference for managers, scholars and anyone interested in enhancing team performance. The combination of vivid real-world examples with thoughtful evidence-based frameworks will make a lasting contribution to the study and practice of team-based management.» —John Boudreau, Professor of Management and Organization, USC Marshall School of Business «Excellent practice insights from leading practitioners and academics. A valuable contribution to our knowledge concerning how to create and manage teams.» —Ed Lawler, Director of Center for Effective Organizations

Comprehensive instruction on developing real-world financial models This book, designed for self-study, classroom use, and reference, presents a com-prehensive approach to developing simple to sophisticated financial models in all major areas of finance. The approach is based on the author's 20 years of experience of developing such models in the business world and teaching a popular MBA class in financial modeling. The book assumes only basic knowledge of Excel and teaches all advanced features of Excel and VBA from scratch using a unique simple method. A companion CD includes all working versions of all the models presented in the book and additional useful reference material. Chandan Sengupta (White Plains, NY) teaches finance in the MBA program at Fordham University's Graduate School of Business. Formerly, he was vice president of the Chase Manhattan Bank for eight years and senior financial advisor for Mobil Corporation for 10 years. He is also the author of The Only Proven Road to Investment Success (0-471-44307-7).

The survey process is a highly complex and situationally dependent one, in need of careful management. If poorly designed and administered, surveys can create disappointment and even disaster. Little has been written so far for those responsible for designing and implementing surveys in organizations. These authors have drawn on their extensive consulting experience to develop a concise, pragmatic, seven-step model covering the entire process, from initiation, to final evaluation, to making the results meaningful to the future of the organization. They pay special attention to the political and human sensitivities concerned and show how to overcome the many potential barriers to a successful outcome.

Since the 1980s, and especially since the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, there has been a substantial extension in the adoption and use of Environmental Assessment (EA) procedures in developing countries and countries in transition (low and middle income countries). However, few existing texts in environmental assessment or development studies have reflected this trend sufficiently, until this publication. Divided into two main parts: * EA Principles, Processes and Practice. * Country and Institutional Studies of EA Procedures and Practice. This book explains the essentials of environmental impact association in the context of developing countries and assesses its importance to both developed and developing countries.