First Reference wishes everyone a very happy holiday season and all the best for the new year!

Our offices will be closed from December 24, 2007 to January 1, 2008 inclusive.

Now that we’re on the doorstep of a new year, First Reference is excited to announce that it will launch a new e-newsletter, Inside Internal Control, at the beginning of 2008. This newsletter replaces the PolicyPro Bulletin, and heralds the new Internal Control Library from First Reference, which includes Finance and Accounting PolicyPro, Information Technology PolicyPro and Operations and Marketing PolicyPro.

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If you still need to be convinced of the extent to which global climate change has moved to the forefront of today’s business thinking, look no further than Deloitte’s website, specifically at the page The climate is changing. Are you ready?

The title is provocative; even unnerving. But it’s not Deloitte’s intent to scare you. Rather they provide compelling reasons why Canadian businesses must come to grips with climate change, incorporate it in their business practices and planning, and find ways, not just to survive, but to flourish in the years to come.

See Chapter 5 of Operations and Marketing PolicyPro (OMPP) for ready-to-use environmental management policies and procedures. For more information on OMPP, click here.

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In his online blog, well-known author and academic Michael Geist recently speculated about the next billion Internet users, the number estimated to join the current billion users within ten years.

But many of the next billion will have different needs, and will be from different countries with different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds. Most will not have English as their mother tongue. They will likely rely on different kinds of software, hardware and connectivity, too. All these differences will be reflected in the ongoing evolution of the Internet culture over the course of the next decade.

For a link to this thought-provoking article, click here.

See Statement of Policy and Procedure 6.05 in Operations and Marketing PolicyPro (OMPP) for a ready-to-use Corporate Website policy. For more information on OMPP, click here.

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As the days count down to the end of 2007, Ernst & Young provides its version of a tax saving advent calendar, with useful tax tips you should consider this time of year. For a link to the Ernst & Young checklist, click here.

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Co-Sourcing Internal Audits

If you’re not a bank or an insurance company, it’s unlikely that you have a big, fully-staffed internal audit function. So when you are faced with governance and compliance pressures, where do you turn?

As a recent article from Protiviti explains, many companies are deciding to co-source internal audit functions with outside providers. Not to be confused with external auditors, co-source internal audit providers help bridge day-to-day capacity needs and perform highly specialized auditing duties on an as-needed basis.

For a link to this interesting article from Protiviti, click here.

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Protect your Identity while Holiday Shopping

In the midst of the horde of Christmas shoppers at the local mall, there may lurk an identity thief looking for an opportunity to skim your personal and credit card information. As a recent news release from the office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada tells us, there are a few simple steps you can take to protect yourself.

For a link to the Commissioner’s top ten tips to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft, click here.

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About the PolicyPro Bulletin

Editor: Colin Braithwaite, Managing Editor – PolicyPro.

Please do not reply to this Email.

PolicyPro Bulletin is a complimentary service published by First Reference Inc. and is sent to you monthly. Each issue of the PolicyPro Bulletin provides headlines and summaries of news that affects internal controls and policies in Canada.

Please forward this Bulletin to your colleagues.

Please send any comments or suggestions about the PolicyPro Bulletin to editor@policypro.ca. For information about the PolicyPro Library, visit www.PolicyPro.ca. For information about First Reference and our HR-related products, visit www.firstreference.com. To read our Terms of Use, Disclaimer, Privacy Policy and other legal matters, visit PolicyPro.ca.

This publication is written for informational purposes only and should NOT be relied upon as legal advice or opinions. The reader should always obtain legal advice from a qualified lawyer or other qualified professional, which will be responsive to the case or circumstance of the individual. Please note that the content provided in this Bulletin or any content contained in or made available through any third party website linked to from this Bulletin, is provided "as is" without representations or warranties of any kind. All representations and warranties in respect of Content or Third Party Content, express or implied, including, without limitation any representations to warranties or conditions regarding accuracy, timeliness, completeness, non-infringement, merchantability or fitness for any particular purpose are hereby disclaimed.

PolicyPro Bulletin ISSN: 1718-5866 Copyright ©2007, First Reference Inc., All Rights Reserved.