Keys of Service Organization Control (SOC) Reports – Following SSAE 18 Requirements

Today’s businesses have seen a dramatic increase in the use of outsourced providers to assist with executing processes from payroll, accounts payable, information technology, benefit plan administration and many other core processes. These processes ultimately have an impact on an organization’s internal control over financial reporting but also could impact compliance and operational issues.

In 2011, the Statement for Auditing Standards Attest Engagements (SSAE 16) replaced the former SAS70 Standard. In May 2017, a new standard SSAE 18 has superseded SSAE 16. The concepts covered is referred to as a Service Organization Control Report (SOC). Organizations who utilize outsourced providers should understand of the various types of SOC reports, their intended use and their implication on a company’s financial reporting process, regardless of your status as a publicly traded or privately held organization. The process can be complicated to understand as a user organization. Currently, several types of SOC Reports exist including:

• SOC 1 – Type 1
• SOC 1 – Type 2
• SOC 2 – Type 1
• SOC 2 – Type 2
• SOC 2+
• SOC 3
• Cybersecurity SOC

This course speaks briefly to the transition from SAS 70 to SSAE 16 and now SSAE 18. However, the focus on the various Service Organization control reports, their purposes and uses.

Appendix
• SOC readiness checklist
• SOC 1 questions
• Example control objectives