ACL Tops Audit Software Survey Conducted by The Institute of Internal Auditors.

IT Audit Benchmark Study 2009 Confirms ACL Technology Leadership

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- ACL Services Ltd., the leading global provider of business assurance technology for audit and compliance professionals, has been named the preferred audit software used by the global internal audit community. As featured in the August issue of Internal Auditor magazine, new research from The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) reveals that ACL audit analytics are the most commonly used for data extraction, data analysis, fraud detection and investigation, and continuous audit.

"Increased globalization of businesses, market pressure to improve operations, and rapidly changing business conditions are creating demand for technology-enabled auditors to provide timely, ongoing assurance that risk is properly mitigated and controls are working effectively," said David Coderre, president of CAATs and leading author of books such as Internal Audit: Efficiency Through Automation. "Technology enables the audit function to complete 100 percent of the audit plan with better coverage and assurance on every audit."

The IT Audit Benchmarking Study 2009 reflects the views of internal auditing professionals at 138 global organizations with annual revenues between US$1 billion and US$10 billion. Like past usage surveys by The IIA, ACL software solutions were cited as the dominant technology in the audit market.

Among the survey participants that use audit software for that function, 58 percent use ACL as the primary software for data extraction, 51 percent for data analysis, 53 percent for fraud detection and investigation, and 65 percent for continuous audit. ACL was also listed as primary or secondary software used to assess risk for annual audit plans and for compliance. Reasons given for the use of ACL by study participants include its ability to look at control weaknesses, the ease and breadth with which users can evaluate data, and its ability to provide exception reports.

"As business leaders look to move beyond the financial challenges of the past year, they recognize the need for greater assurance over the integrity of business activities," said Harald Will, president and CEO of ACL Services. "The role of internal audit is more important than ever, and auditors are increasingly recognized as playing a critical role within the organization. We're committed to continuing our heritage of delivering leading audit technology that increases audit efficiency and helps build a best-in-class audit function."

The August 2009 issue of the Internal Auditor, with survey results, is available at: http://www.theiia.org/intAuditor/free-feature/2009/august/software-trend-spotting/. Established in 1941, The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) is an international professional association. The IIA is the internal audit profession's global voice, recognized authority, acknowledged leader, chief advocate, and principal educator. Members work in internal auditing, risk management, governance, internal control, information technology audit, education, and security.

About ACL Services Ltd.

ACL Services Ltd. is the leading global provider of business assurance technology for audit and compliance professionals. Combining market-leading audit analytics software and professional services expertise, ACL solutions give auditors confidence in the effectiveness of internal controls and the integrity of the transactions underlying business operations.

Since 1987, ACL has enabled auditors to assure sustainable compliance, reduce risk, detect fraud, enhance profitability, and improve business performance. ACL delivers its solutions to more than 215,000 licensed users in over 150 countries through a global network of ACL offices and channel partners. Our customers include 95 percent of Fortune 100 companies, 85 percent of the Fortune 500 and over two-thirds of the Global 500, as well as hundreds of national, state, and local governments, and the Big Four public accounting firms. www.acl.com

Copyright 2009 ACL Services Ltd. ACL and the ACL logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of ACL Services Ltd. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.