Sarbanes-Oxley Act Training

24 hours/3 months access/Instructor Supported

 

Overview
The series of corporate financial scandals that took place in the United States has led to the framing of new legislation called Sarbanes-Oxley Act that strengthens corporate governance and restores investor confidence and eliminates corporate corruption and fraud.

The law was intended to bolster public confidence in the nation's capital markets and imposes new duties and significant penalties for non compliance on public companies and their executives, directors, auditors, attorneys and securities analysts.

After completing this course you will be conversant with:

 

Sarbanes-Oxley Act
Time taken to complete each Course: One - Two hours

 

1. Overview of Sarbanes-Oxley Act

·         Objectives

·         Introduction

·         Sarbanes-Oxley Act

·         Sarbanes Oxley and Information Technology

·         Definitions under Sarbanes-Oxley Act

·         Auditor Independence

·         Corporate Responsibility

·         Enhanced Financial Disclosures

·         White-Collar Crime Penalty Enhancements

·         Corporate Fraud Accountability

2. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board

·         Objectives

·         Introduction

·         Establishment of Public Company Accounting Oversight Board

·         Powers of the Board

·         Commission oversight of the Board

·         Accounting Standards

3. Auditor Independence

·         Objectives

·         Introduction

·         Auditor Independence

·         Preapproval Requirements by the Audit Committee

·         Reports to Audit Committee

·         Conflicts of Interest

4. Corporate Responsibility

·         Objectives

·         Introduction

·         Public Company Audit Committees

·         Corporate Responsibility for Financial Reports

·         Implications of Sarbanes Oxley Act on the Information Technology

·         Forfeiture of Certain Bonuses and Profits

·         Insider Trades During Pension Fund Blackout Periods

·         Rules of Professional Responsibility for Attorneys

5. Enhanced Financial Disclosures

·         Objectives

·         Introduction

·         Disclosures in Periodic Reports

·         Disclosures of Transactions Involving Management and Principal Stockholders

·         Management Assessment of Internal Controls

·         Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers

·         Enhanced Review of Periodic Disclosures by Issuers

6. Analyst Conflicts of Interest

·         Objectives

·         Introduction

·         Treatment of Securities Analysts by Registered securities Associations

·         Disclosure

7. Commission Resources and Authority

·         Objectives

·         Introduction

·         Authorization of Appropriations

·         Appearance and Practice Before the Commission

·         Federal Court Authority to Impose Penny Stock Bars

8. Studies and Reports

·         Objectives

·         Introduction

·         GAO Study and Report Regarding Consolidation of Public Accounting Firms

·         Study and Report by Commission Regarding Credit Rating Agencies

·         Study of Investment Banks

9. Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability

·         Objectives

·         Introduction

·         Destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in Federal investigations and bankruptcy

·         Destruction of corporate audit records

·         Review of Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Obstruction of justice and extensive criminal fraud

·         Protection for Employees of Publicly Traded Companies Providing Evidence of Fraud

·         Criminal Penalties for Defrauding Shareholders of Publicly Traded Companies

10. White-Collar Crime Penalty Enhancements

·         Objectives

·         Introduction

·         Attempts and Conspiracies to Commit Criminal Fraud Offenses

·         Penalties for Mail and Wire Fraud

·         Penalties for Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 Violations

·         Corporate Responsibility for Financial Reports

11. Corporate Tax Returns

·         Objectives

·         Introduction

·         Sense of Senate Regarding signing of Corporate Tax Returns by Chief Executive Officers

12. Corporate Fraud and Accountability

·         Objectives

·         Introduction

·         Tampering a Record or Impeding an Official Proceeding

·         Prohibition of Persons from Serving as Officers and Directors

JOB AIDS

·         Legislations

·         Case Studies

 

 

Elearning Features

ProTrain, in partnership with Kesdee, offer state-of-the art simulated learning environment.  Exhaustive theoretical material supplemented with contemporary case studies

 

Learner friendly courses with:

>          Formulae, definitions and concise summaries

>          Interactive simulations

>          Solved examples, practice exercises and quizzes

>          Mock exams from proprietary database

>          Timed tests in exam format

>          Personalized results for self assessment

>          Glossary, FAQs, Pocket Reference

>          Valuable reference extracts

 

 

Other features include:

>          E-mail subject-matter expert

>          Online with 24x7 customer support

 

Legal Assistant / Paralegal Course Overview

Are you a self-starter with an interest in legal work? You can prepare for a fulfilling career as a legal assistant or paralegal today! Learn to do legal research, help prepare legal cases for hearings and trials, and work with legal documents. Work in a law firm, bank, court, government agency, or one of dozens of organizations who are depending more on legal assistants and paralegals today.

Best of all, you can train from home…on your own terms! You pick the time you study, and manage the pace of your first-rate training built to suit your career needs. Fast-track your training if you want! It’s in your hands.

Why Blackstone? With decades of experience, Blackstone is the leader in flexible career training programs.

As a Blackstone distance education student, you can enjoy an Online Student Center. You select the course delivery method that best fits your educational preferences and your learning style. You’ll have access to all the support you need as you complete this course.

Through the Legal Assistant / Paralegal training program, you’ll gain the clock hours needed to sit for the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) certification exam given by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). You can learn how to use powerful legal research tools like LexisNexis ® Total Research System, Shepard’s® Citations Service; and so much more. (Learn more about the products and services for paralegals offered from LexisNexis ®.)

The Blackstone Legal Assistant / Paralegal training program even teaches you how to find a job!

Now is the time to launch your new legal assistant/ paralegal career.
Click for free information >>

LexisNexis

Legal Assistant / Paralegal Career

What is a Paralegal?

Sometimes paralegals are referred to as legal assistants, lawyer’s assistants, or investigators. Each of these terms describes dependable, skilled professionals who serve in a variety of capacities in the legal community. Paralegals have been officially recognized by the American Bar Association since 1968.

Paralegals provide valuable services while working under the supervision of lawyers. Responsibilities vary greatly depending upon the employer and position. Paralegals are often responsible for conducting research, drafting legal documents, working with clients, and assisting in trial preparation.

How do I know if a paralegal career is right for me?

Becoming a paralegal is a great choice for your future if you are seeking a more fulfilling profession or you want to improve your current lifestyle. Paralegal training can provide the edge you need to stand out and step up in your current career as well as help you achieve professional certification.

Are there legal assistant and paralegal job opportunities out there? And what about job security?

There is a steadily increasing need for paralegals in the private sector as well as in various government offices. Even when other elements of the economy slow down, the need for paralegals will continue to grow. This is because paralegals can provide many of the same services as lawyers, but at a lower cost.

In recent years, the number of new jobs in the national paralegal market has outpaced the growth rate for most other jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates employment for paralegals will grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2014.

Paralegals are in demand at private law firms, large corporations, insurance companies, and government agencies. Some paralegals choose to work in community legal aid offices, helping to bring legal services to those who wouldn’t normally have access to such help.

Experienced paralegals may enjoy even greater opportunities creating a home business. See where Blackstone graduates are employed!

What kind of salary could a paralegal / legal assistant earn?

According to the National Association of Legal Assistants, paralegals had an average salary of $48,211 in 2008. Many also received a bonus, which averaged $3,808.

According to the 2008-09 Occupational Outlook Handbook, top paralegal pay was over $67,540 in 2006, while the middle 50 percent of paralegals earned between $33,920 and $54,690.

Where will I work as paralegal and what will I be doing?

Paralegals fill an assortment of positions in almost every locale in law firms and a multitude of other entities. Often, paralegals choose positions based on unique interests and skills, previous work experience, or future goals for specialization and advancement.

When you receive your diploma, you may choose to work in a corporate legal department handling employee benefits and contracts, or performing necessary regulatory research and analysis. Or, you may work for a small law firm and use your knowledge of all aspects of law, or a large law firm where you will specialize in criminal law or real estate law.

No matter what your interests, the paralegal field—with its unlimited variety of employers, specialties, and positions—likely holds the perfect opportunity for you and your dreams for the future.

Organizations that employ paralegals include:

Paralegals also work for federal, state, and local government, where there is an increasing need for additional paralegals. Large numbers of paralegals work for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Additionally, community legal aid offices of federal and state government employ paralegals as:

Can I enroll in the Blackstone legal assistant / paralegal course without prior legal training?

Yes! If you are a motivated self-starter, you will find the home study course to be well-paced and easy to understand. You will learn to crawl before you have to walk. Then before you know it, you will be running towards your new and exciting career.

What will I receive when I enroll in the Blackstone legal assistant / paralegal course?

You will receive the materials, training, and support that you need to become an entry-level paralegal. Materials include:

Experts in the field of paralegal studies have prepared these materials. All materials have been time-tested and proven to provide students with the knowledge necessary to succeed. While comprehensive, the materials are also easy to understand because they are written in clear English. A detailed list of the items above can be viewed by clicking on the Materials tab at the top of this page.

The Blackstone program also provides the required clock hours needed to sit for the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) examination administered by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).