FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- COKATO, M.N./HAWTHORNE, N.Y. -- Mar. 28, 2005 -- Paisley Consulting, a leading provider of business accountability solutions, and SmartPros Ltd. (AMEX:PED), a leading developer of accredited continuing professional education, today jointly announced the launch of The Collaborative Assurance & Risk Design® (CARD) e-Learning center.
The CARD® e-Learning center provides quick, easy access to cost-effective online training to help organizations comply with the requirements imposed by Sarbanes-Oxley, Basel II, operational risk management and other corporate governance and compliance measures. Three Sarbanes-Oxley courses are available immediately to provide training on how to cost effectively comply with sections 302 and 404 of the Act. Also available are two modules on COSO enterprise risk management (ERM) and risk and control assessment techniques. These courses are the first in a series of broader operational risk offerings planned for roll out, including modules on grading control deficiencies for Sarbanes-Oxley and Basel operational risk management and more.
The CARD e-Learning center was designed to assist industry professionals, as well as both companies' growing client bases, on all aspects of compliance and risk management. Online software training was designed specifically to provide Paisley Consulting customers with efficient and more cost-effective access to software training sessions that typically take place on site, thus enhancing the overall service experience and allowing registrants to learn on their own time and at their own pace.
"Recent changes in the regulatory environment have created a growing need in the marketplace for Sarbanes-Oxley and other operational risk training that can be deployed on a 'just-in-time' basis," said Tim Leech, Principal Consultant and Chief Methodology Officer, Paisley Consulting. "As the industry's first software provider to offer integrated SOX methodology and software training, we have further solidified our commitment to providing full service solutions and services to our customers."
"Utilizing each others' strengths, Paisley Consulting developed the core materials for the program and SmartPros adapted the materials for online training and education utilizing SmartPros' Professional Education Center™ Learning Management System," said SmartPros Accounting Division President, Jack Fingerhut. "Further, we feel this new product is well-timed and will be well-received. Both SmartPros and Paisley Consulting have core strengths in this market, and our team effort truly shows in the quality of this cutting-edge program."
The training modules offered through Paisley Consulting's CARD e-Learning center initiative have been designed to meet the requirements for continuing professional education (CPE) credits.
About Paisley Consulting
Paisley Consulting, the leader in business accountability, provides focused solutions on corporate assurance, internal auditing, risk management and compliance. The company's key software offerings include The Paisley Solution, Risk Navigator isley Consulting, the leader in business accountability, provides focused solutions on corporate assurance, internal auditing, risk management and compliance. The company's key software offerings include The Paisley Solution, Risk Navigator™, CARD®map, Focus Control Assurance Software®, and AutoAudit®. Services include Collaborative Assurance & Risk Design™ training, Sarbanes-Oxley compliance training courses, and operational risk management training and consulting. With global customers in diverse markets, Paisley Consulting works with over 30 percent of the Fortune® 100. Founded in 1995, the company has been included on Inc. Magazine's list of 500 fastest-growing private U.S. companies. For more information visit www.paisleyconsulting.com.
About SmartPros Ltd.
Founded 1981, SmartPros Ltd. is an industry leader in the field of accredited professional education. Its products and services are primarily focused in the accredited professional areas of corporate accounting, financial management, public accounting, governmental and not-for-profit accounting, ethics and compliance, and engineering. SmartPros' customers include over half of Fortune 500 companies, as well as the major firms and associations in each of its professional markets. SmartPros provides education and content publishing and development services in a variety of media including Web, CD-ROM and video. Our subscription libraries feature hundreds of course titles and 1,000+ hours of accredited education. SmartPros' proprietary Professional Education Center (PEC) Learning Management System (LMS) offers enterprise distribution and administration
f education content and information. In addition, SmartPros produces a popular news and information portal for accounting and finance professionals that services 300,000+ visitors and 100,000+ subscribers per month. Visit: www.smartpros.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This release may contain or identify forward looking statements. These statements are based on assumptions and estimates, which are inherently subject to uncertainty and contingencies that are beyond our control and are based on future business decisions that may change.
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For more information, please contact:
Shane Gillispie
Marketing and eCommerce
SmartPros Ltd.
253-863-8280
shanegillispie@smartpros.com
Stacey Billy
Paisley Consulting
(320) 286-4608
stacey.billy@paisleyconsulting.com
Ashiya N. Smith
Horn Group, Inc.
(212) 931-5241
asmith@horngroup.com
