You Asked... We'll Answer!
How may we help you?
Your Registration for Training
Your Certification Exams
Your Certification
Your Membership in the GRC Group
Other Questions
Training Registration
Q: I just registered for the self-study training package that includes the textbooks, study guides and exams. What happens next?
A: Your textbooks and study guides will be mailed out by the end of the week. Please allow one week for delivery. You will receive an email confirmation along with a request for your proctor's information for the certification exams. After we receive your proctor's information, we will set up your certification exams within 24-48 hours.
Q: What does the online training package include?
A: The online training package includes the 16-hour online training, textbooks, and study guides. It does not include the certification exams.
Q: Will this training prepare me for a certification exam?
A: The online training provides a good review of the important subjects in the textbooks. However, since the certification exams are based on all the topics in the textbooks, we highly recommend that you review the textbooks and accompanying study guides before taking the exams.
Q: When can I take the online training?
A: The online training is available to you anytime, anywhere where you have a secure internet connection.
Q: I only registered for the self-study training that includes the textbooks and study guides. I would like to register for the online training that also includes the textbooks and study guides. Will I receive a credit for the extra set of materials?
A: Yes, we are able to credit the fee of the materials from your online training fee. After registering for the online training, please email us directly or using the contact form and we will credit the fee for the materials and not send you an extra set.
Q: Where and when are your classroom trainings?
A: Classes are held in cities throughout the world. For a list of locations and dates, please click here.
Q: What are the pre-requisites for the 3 and 5 Day SOX training?
A: The pre-requisite for the SOX training program is at least two years of professional work experience.
Q: What is the background of the 3 and 5 Day SOX training attendees?
A: Attendees of our SOX training programs are from all kinds of background including IT, accounting, finance, legal, and audit.
Q: Is training in Sarbanes-Oxley important?
A: We think so! And so do the experts. See what Carl Geppert, Partner, KPMG, US, had to say in Global Telecom Business: "You have train people in Sarbanes-Oxley. You have to train people in internal controls - starting with what is a control, how you document controls, how you construct a process flow, how you evaluate the operations and the effectiveness of the control ... There's a training need across the business for anyone touched by SOX" (reproduced with permission).
Certification Exams
Q: What is the format of your CSOX certification exams?
A: Each certification exam is an open book proctored exam that consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that must be answered in 60 minutes. Passing rate is 70%.
Q: What are my options if I failed the certification exam?
A: You can register for a retake of the same exam. Click here to register for the exam. Once your retake exam is set up, you will receive an email confirmation with your user id and password. Please allow up to 24 hours for the setup of the exam.
Q: Since the exams are open book, can I reference any textbooks, research papers, etc. when taking the exam?
A: No, you are only allowed to reference the textbooks listed in your email confirmation for your registration. Your proctor also has the list of allowed textbooks.
Q: How long are the CSOX certification exams valid?
A: The exams are valid for 12 months from the date of your registration. After 12 months, the exams will automatically expire and you will no longer have access to them.
Q: I just signed up for the CSOX certification exams. Who can be my proctor?
A: An approved proctor is someone with whom you currently work (colleague) or someone to whom you currently report or have reported to in the past (supervisor).
Q: What are my proctor's responsibilities?
A: Your proctor must be present when you take each exam. He or she will unlock the website for you so that you can sign in and take the exam.
Q: I just registered for the exams, when can I take them?
A: After we receive your registration, you will receive an email requesting for your proctor's information. After we receive your proctor's information, we will send the relevant information to him/her and to you. When you receive the login information, you will be able to take the exam anytime, anywhere (up to 12 months) with your proctor present.
Q: What are my options if my CSOX exams have already expired?
A: You can email the Certification Committee with your request to take an expired exam. Please email your request to exams@grcg.com, with the subject line "CSOX Examination Request - Expired Exam."
Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All decisions are final. If your request is approved, you will be given access to the exams as well as a new expiration date. If your request is denied, you will be provided with the next steps you need to take on your path to certification.
Q: What are my options if my CSOX exams are going to expire but I cannot take them in time?
A: You can email the Certification Committee with your request for an extension. Please email your request to exams@grcg.com, with the subject line "CSOX Certification Exams - Extension Request."
Each request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All decisions are final. If your request is approved, you will be given a new expiration date for your exams. If your request is denied, your exams expiration date will not change.
Q: What is the study guide?
A: The study guide consists of chapter reviews for each chapter in the textbook, as well as questions and answers for each chapter in the textbook.
Q: Are the certification exams based on the study guide or the textbooks?
A: The exams are based on the textbooks only.
Q: How is the network running the certification exam engine protected?
A: The network running the certification exam engine is protected in the following ways:
1. Redundant 4.5 Gbps Backbone connection (2 separate physical backbone connections)
2. Backup diesel generator
3. Backup UPS
4. 24X7 server access
5. 24 Hour onsite security
Q: What application security features does the certification examination platform include?
A: The certification exam platform includes the following application security features:
1. Administration, exam center, and user level access is protected via username and password
2. Ability to retrict exam center access via a static IP match
3. All infrastructure is protected by a stateful firewall
Q: How is the content of the certification exam protected?
A: Exam questions and exam review question content cannot be copied,or printed by the testing station. All exams are uniquely randomized and the likelihood of exam content being inappropriately distributed is extremely remote.
Q: What is the backup strategy of the certification exam system?
A: We maintain a perpetual back-up copy of our data for a full seven (7) year period. We will always have a current image of our database, made everytime there is a change to our data. A snapshot of our database is taken every time an exam starts, a question gets answered, or a user gets updated.
Certification
Q: What is the difference between being "certified in" an area and being a "certified professional?"
A: To be "certified in" an area, you must have a minimum of three years of professional experience and knowledge of the subject matter through passing an exam. To be a "certified professional," you must have a minimum of three years of related work experience in the subject matter and knowledge of the subject matter through passing an exam.
Q: What is the difference between CSOXP and CSOXM?
A: Both certifications are professional certifications that require prior SOX experience. CSOXM is reserved for those in a managerial capacity.
Q: I recently passed my certification exams. What happens next?
A: Once you pass all of your certification exams (two exams if you registered for the self-study/online training and one exam if you are attending a classroom training), you can expect to receive the actual CSOX certificate from us within two weeks.
Q: How long is my CSOX/CSOXP/CSOXM Certification valid?
A: Your CSOX/CSOXP/CSOXM Certification is valid for 12 months from the activation date, which is included on your certificate.
Q: What are the requirements to apply for the Pro-Level Certification(s) with the GRC Group?
A: The requirements include:
- Current membership in the GRC Group
- A current Base-level Certification for the same track
- An average of 1,200 hours/year of field-related work experience over the past three years, as verifiable by two professional references.
Click here to apply for your certification(s).
Q: What are the requirements to earn the CSOX (Base-Level) Certification?
A: The requirements include:
- Current membership in the GRC Group
- Attending a 3- or 5-day training approved by the SOX Institute and passing one certification exam or completing a self-study training and passing 2 certification exams.
Q: What are the requirements to maintain my Base-Level Certification(s) with the GRC Group?
A: The requirement includes:
- Current membership in the GRC Group which provides access to subject matter related journals, newsletters and webinars for a cumulative total of over 12 hours per year.
Click here to maintain your certification(s).
Q: What are the requirements to maintain Pro-Level Certification(s) with the GRC Group?
A: The requirements include:
- Current membership in the GRC Group which provides access to subject matter related journals, newsletters and webinars for a cumulative total of over 12 hours per year.
- An average of 1,200 hours/year of SOX-related work experience over the past three years, as verifiable by two professional references.
Click here to maintain your certification(s).
Q: How do I maintain my certification(s) with the GRC Group?
A: Please see below.
Q: I currently hold a Pro-Level Certification but will not have the required work experience this year. What do I do?
A: When it is time to renew your Pro-Level Certification, use this link. On the online application form, answer "yes" to the question regarding reverting back to the Base-level Certification. Once you have additional work-related experience, you can re-apply for the Pro-Level Certification.
Q: I currently have the Base-Level Certification. How do I upgrade to the Pro-Level Certification?
A: You can upgrade your certification provided you have the required experience. Use this link to apply for an upgrade. The application process may take up to two weeks.
Q: Who can qualify to be my professional reference for my CSOXP/CSOXM application?
A: Colleagues and/or supervisors that have worked with you on your SOX-related work can qualify to be your professional reference. In some cases, your client can also qualify to be your professional reference.
Membership in the GRC Group
Q: I am currently a member of The GRC Group. How do I log in to read the members-only content?
A: You can use the Member Login area (located in the right column) to log into the members-only area.
Q: How do I update my membership profile?
A: To update your profile, use the following link.
Q: I lost my password. How do I log in?
A: Use the following link to update your profile and change your password.
Q: How do I renew my membership in the GRC Group?
A: To renew your membership, use this link.
Q: What are the fees associated with membership?
A: There are several membership options. To review the options and join, visit our membership page.
Q: What are the benefits to becoming a member of the GRC Group?
A: There are numerous benefits to joining the GRC Group, including free access to webinars, discounts on our training programs, and much more. To read about the benefits of joining, visit our membership page.
Q: The SOX Institute changed its name to the GRC Group. For my current certifications, how should my resume reflect that change?
A: The SOX Institute is one of the institutes within the GRC Group. Therefore, it is advisable to refer to it in your resume as "SOX Institute, GRC Group."
Other Questions
Q: Where can I find downloadable white papers?
A: All downloadable white papers can be found under Research and Resources in our Education Center. Use this link to view all available papers for download.
Q: Where can I find past webinar presentations?
A: All webinar presentations are available for download in the Webinar area in our Education Center. Use this link to view all archived webinar presentations. Members of the GRC Group also have access to audio recordings of past webinars.
Q: Do you accept checks?
A: While we generally prefer online payment via credit card, we can (in some instances) accept company checks made out to the Sarbanes Oxley Group. We do not accept personal checks.
Q: My company prefers to pay using a company check for my membership renewal. What do I need to do?
A: You can use the link ( https://www.123signup.com/renew?Org=grcgroup ) to renew your membership. On the payment page, you can choose to print the invoice out instead of paying online via a credit card. Please mail payment to the address on the invoice. You will receive an email confirmation once we receive your payment and renew your membership online.
Q: What category PMI PDUs do you offer?
A: Category 4 (no limit on number of PDUs). The appropriate number of PDUs are listed in the course description.
Q: What CPEs are available with your training?
A: There are two kinds of CPEs available with our training: NASBA CPEs and Industry CPEs.
NASBA CPEs: CPEs for CPAs (i.e. those recognized by many/most State Boards of Accountancy) and are available only through our group-live classroom training.
Industry CPEs: CPEs recognized by companies such as ACFE, ISACA, etc and are available through our group-live classroom training as well as our self-study training (textbook-based and online training).
Ultimate decision to accept CPEs rests with the respective body/organization, and it is your responsibility to check with them (i.e. State Boards of Accountancy, ACFE, ISACA etc).
Q: How do I get CPE credits for attendance at a group-live classroom training?
A: Use the contact form on our website to request your CPE credits. Please provide your contact information (full name, physical mailing address, email address and phone number).
Q: How do you handle refunds in currencies other than the U.S. dollar?
A: Unfortunately, exchange rate fluctuations for international payments are unavoidable. All monies refunded are in U.S. dollars, and will reflect the exchange rate in effect on the date of the refund. The GRC Group/SOX Institute is not responsible for changes in exchange rates.
Q: What is your cancellation/substitution policy on classroom trainings?
A: Cancellations/substitutions only up to 14 days before event. Course schedules and prices are subject to change without notice. SOX Institute and its partners reserve the right to reschedule, cancel or postpone courses should circumstances make it necessary. Advance notice will be given in the unlikely event of a course being cancelled and full credit will be applied to the next regularly scheduled course offering. SOX Institute is not responsible for travel or accommodation charges in the event of any schedule change.
Q: Would a law student looking to go into compliance, and corporate law benefit from the SOX course?
A: Yes. While we typically do have some legal professionals in our classes, they are typically the ones who are looking to better understand how what they do fits into the broader realm of governance and controls, and likewise be able to provide direction to accounting/finance/audit. The bulk of the legal/legislative elements are covered on day one and day five of the 5-day SOX training, but there is a smattering of legalese (including policies etc.) on all of the other days too.
Q: I am currently a member of the GRC Group. How do I add a secondary email address to my account?
A: Our database requires that we have a unique email address for each record in the system. You can add the secondary email address to our database as a subscriber. You will still receive our newsletters as a subscriber, but you will not be able to access our member journals using the secondary email address. In addition, please remember to use your membership email address when registering for webinars, seminars, classes, downloads, certification maintenance to receive them at the member rate.
To add a secondary email address as a subscriber at no additional charge, please use the link below:
https://www.123signup.com/mailinglist?org=grcgroup
Q: What is your NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) code?
A: Our ntis.gov / census.gov codes are:
- Sector: 61 and Subsector: 611 (Educational services)
- 6114: Business schools & computer & management training
- 61143: Professional & management development training
- 611430: Professional & management development training
Q: Do you meet SBA's (Small Business Administration sba.gov) requirements?
A: Yes, we meet these sba.gov criteria:
- Small-Business: NAICS Code 611430: Under $7 million annual receipts
- Minority-Owned Business: osdbu.gov or acq.osd.mil/sadbu (not 8(a))
Q: What is your SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) Industry Code Group?
A: 8299 i.e. Schools and Educational Services, Not Elsewhere Classified (NEC)
- http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sicsearch.html?p_sic=8299&p_search= and
- http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sic_manual.display?id=211&tab=description