Certified Japanese Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CJSOXE), distance learning and online certification program
Overview

J-SOX or JSOX is the unofficial term that refers primarily to Japan’s Financial Instruments and Exchange Law, and the guidelines that followed. Japanese and foreign companies listed in Japan are required to prepare and submit internal control reports on a consolidated basis.

The reach of J-SOX extends to subsidiaries outside Japan (in the USA and Europe for example), because the provisions apply to the company as a whole. The subsidiaries outside Japan are involved in the testing and documentation of internal processes and controls.

Every month there are several new JSOX careers in many countries. It is important to know that very few professionals understand the JSOX requirements.

Objectives

The program has been designed to provide with the knowledge and skills needed to understand and support compliance with the Japanese Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and the guidelines that followed, and to become a Certified Japanese Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CJSOXE).

Target Audience

This program is intended for managers and employees of firms listed in Japan, demanding qualified professionals that meet the fit and proper requirements in risk and compliance management. JSOX knowledge is a very important asset is a resume, and there are few professionals that understand the JSOX requirements.

The program is highly recommended for:

- Managers and employees involved in the design and implementation of JSOX-related strategies, policies, procedures, risk assessments, control activities, testing, documentation, monitoring and reporting.
- Risk, compliance and IT managers and employees.
- Internal and external auditors.
- Data owners.
- Process owners.
- Consultants, suppliers, service providers.

This course is also recommended for risk and compliance managers and employees working for international conglomerates.

Course Synopsis
Part 1

- Introduction.
- The CJSOXE exam.

- What is J-SOX?
- The Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA).
- The FIEA’s objectives.
- Kanebo.
- Livedoor.
- Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and J-SOX.

- FSA, SESC, CPAAOB.
- The Financial Services Agency (FSA).
- The Securities and Exchange Surveillance Commission (SESC).
- The Certified Public Accountants and Auditing Oversight Board (CPAAOB).

Part 2

FSA, Corporate Governance Reforms.
- General Principles of Japan’s Corporate Governance Code.
- a. Securing the Rights and Equal Treatment of Shareholders.
- b. Appropriate Cooperation with Stakeholders Other Than Shareholders.
- c. Ensuring Appropriate Information Disclosure and Transparency.
- d. Responsibilities of the Board.
- e. Dialogue with Shareholders.

- Japan’s Stewardship Code.
- The principles of Japan’s Stewardship Code.

The Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (FIEA) - Important sections.
- Article 24-4-2, Submission of Confirmation Letter for Annual Securities Report. (Note: It is similar to SOX Section 302).
- Article 24-4-4, System for Ensuring Appropriateness of Statements on Finance and Accounting and Other Information. (Note: It is similar to SOX Section 404).

FAQ on Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, July 2015, Financial Services Agency, Japan - Important questions.
- Why was the Internal Control Report system introduced?
- What are the details of the Internal Control Report system, and from when is it applied?
- Are foreign companies also obligated to submit an Internal Control Report?
- What are the standards for assessment and audit of the internal control over financial reporting?
- What was the background behind the establishment of the standards and practice standards for assessment and audit concerning internal control over financial reporting?
- What points should be kept in mind when operating the standards and practice standards for assessment and audit concerning internal control over financial reporting?
- What is the scope of internal control over financial reporting?
- How does the Japanese Internal Control Report system differ from the Internal Control Report system pertaining to financial reporting that was introduced in the United States by the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002?
- Are there penal provisions against those who violate provisions of Internal Control Reports?
- Why was the Confirmation Letter system introduced concerning the contents of Annual Securities Reports, etc.?
- What kind of system is the Confirmation Letter system?
- Which companies are obligated to submit Confirmation Letters?
- Are foreign companies also obligated to submit Confirmation Letters?
- What kinds of disclosure documents require submission of a Confirmation Letter?
- Which members of the management need to include their titles and names in the Confirmation Letter?

Part 3

SOX vs. J-SOX.
FSA, Eleven Misunderstandings about the Internal Control Report System.
- 1. Is the Internal Control Report System identical to the one originally introduced by the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act in the United States?
- 2. Is additional documentation always necessary?
- 3. Do all business operations require internal controls?
- 4. Do even small and medium-sized companies need internal controls as required for large companies?
- 5. Is a company subject to punishments, if any deficiencies are found?
- 6. Does a management always need to comply with suggestions from its auditors or consultants?
- 7. Will auditing costs be doubled?
- 8. Is an unlisted company also required to design internal controls, when entering into transactions with listed companies?
- 9. Is the absence of a project team a problem?
- 10. Does a company need to finish the whole preparation by the effective date?
- 11. Does a company need to postpone modifications to an IT system scheduled around the end of a fiscal year?

Part 4

Council Opinions.
- On the Setting of the Standards and Practice Standards for Management Assessment and Audit concerning Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (Council Opinions).

Basic framework of internal control.

Four objectives:
- (i) effectiveness and efficiency of business operations,
- (ii) reliability of financial reporting,
- (iii) compliance with applicable laws and regulations relevant to business activities, and
- (iv) safeguard of assets.

Six basic components:
- (i) control environment,
- (ii) risk assessment and response,
- (iii) control activities,
- (iv) information and communication,
- (v) monitoring, and
- (vi) response to IT.

Practical Guidance for Audits of Internal Control over Financial Reporting (October 2007), from the Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
- The intention of internal control audits.
- (1) The objectives of internal control audits.
- (2) The characteristics of the audit approach.
- (3) The subject of internal control audits.

The relationship between the Financial Statement Audit and the Internal Control Audit.
- (1) The combination of Financial Statement Audits with Internal Control Audits.
- (2) Issues on using results of internal control audits in financial statement audits.
- (3) Understanding management’s assessment of internal controls and audit planning.
- (4) Procedures for evaluating assessment of the design/operation of internal controls.
- (5) Evaluation of the assessment of company-level controls and the period-end financial reporting process.
- (6) The relationship between audit procedures for internal control audits and those for internal controls in financial statement audits.
- (7) Impact of results of internal control audits on financial statement audits.
- (8) The impact of the results of financial statement audits on internal control audits.
- (9) Company Law audits and internal control audits.

Evaluation of the assessment of IT general control.
- (1) Positioning of IT general control.
- (2) Evaluation of the assessment of the IT general control.
- (3) Evaluation of deficiencies in IT general control.

Material weakness in internal controls.
- (1) Deficiencies in internal controls.
- (2) Guidelines for determining material weakness.
- (3) Control deficiencies for which examination is necessary to determine whether they constitute material weakness.
- (4) In the case that there are multiple control deficiencies.
- (5) Response in case management has identified a material weakness.
- (6) Reporting and remediation of material weakness.
- (7) Influences on the financial statement audit.

Part 5

Case Studies.
Closing remarks.


Become a Certified Japanese Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CJSOXE)

We will send the program up to 24 hours after the payment. Please remember to check the spam folder of your email client too, as emails with attachments are often landed in the spam folder.

You have the option to ask for a full refund up to 60 days after the payment. If you do not want one of our programs or services for any reason, all you must do is to send us an email, and we will refund the payment, no questions asked.

Your payment will be received by our strategic partner and service provider, Cyber Risk GmbH (Dammstrasse 16, 8810 Horgen, Switzerland, Handelsregister des Kantons Zürich, Firmennummer: CHE-244.099.341). Cyber Risk GmbH may also send certificates to all members.

The all-inclusive cost is $297. There is no additional cost, now or in the future, for this program.

First option: You can purchase the Certified Japanese Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CJSOXE) program with VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX, Apple Pay, Google Pay etc.
Purchase the CJSOXE program here (VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX, Apple Pay, Google Pay etc.)




Second option: QR code payment.

i. Open the camera app or the QR app on your phone.

ii. Scan the QR code and possibly wait for a few seconds.

iii. Click on the link that appears, open your browser, and make the payment.


Third option: You can purchase the Certified Japanese Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CJSOXE) program with PayPal

When you click "PayPal" below, you will be redirected to the PayPal web site. If you prefer to pay with a card, you can click "Debit or Credit Card" that is also powered by PayPal.


What is included in the price:

A. The official presentations (572 slides).

The presentations are effective and appropriate to study online or offline. Busy professionals have full control over their own learning and are able to study at their own speed. They are able to move faster through areas of the course they feel comfortable with, but slower through those that they need a little more time on.

B. The official Certified Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CSOE) presentations (1,022 slides).

We strongly believe that a good understanding of the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act is very important, in order to understand the Japanese Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CJSOXE) program. The CSOE presentations are not part of the CJSOXE program and are not needed for the CJSOXE exam.

C. Up to 3 online exam attempts per year.

Candidates must pass only one exam to become CJSOXEs. If they fail, they must study the official presentations and retake the exam. Candidates are entitled to 3 exam attempts every year.

If candidates do not achieve a passing score on the exam the first time, they can retake the exam a second time.

If they do not achieve a passing score the second time, they can retake the exam a third time.

If candidates do not achieve a passing score the third time, they must wait at least one year before retaking the exam. There is no additional cost for any additional exam attempts.

To learn more, you may visit:

https://www.sarbanes-oxley-association.com/Questions_About_The_Certification_And_The_Exams_1.pdf

https://www.sarbanes-oxley-association.com/CJSOXE_Certification_Steps_1.pdf

D. The Certificate, with a scannable QR code for verification.

You will receive your certificate via email in Adobe Acrobat format (pdf), with a scannable QR code for verification, 7 business days after you pass the exam. A business day refers to any day in which normal business operations are conducted (in our case Monday through Friday), excluding weekends and public holidays.

E. One web page of the Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Professionals Association (SOXCPA) dedicated to you (https://www.sarbanes-oxley-association.com/Your_Name.htm).

When third parties scan the QR code on your certificate, they will visit the web page of the Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Professionals Association (SOXCPA) that is dedicated to you. They will be able to verify that you are a certified professional, and your certificates are valid and legitimate.

In this dedicated web page we will have your name, the certificates you have received from us, pictures of your certificates, and a picture of your lifetime membership certificate if you are a lifetime member.

Example: https://www.sarbanes-oxley-association.com/Emma_Schneider.html

Professional certificates are some of the most frequently falsified documents. Employers and third parties need an easy, effective, and efficient way to check the authenticity of each certificate. QR code verification is a good response to this demand.


Frequently Asked Questions
1. I want to know more about the Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Professionals Association (SOXCPA).

The SOXCPA is the largest association of Sarbanes-Oxley professionals in the world. It is a global community of experts working in risk and compliance management that explore career avenues and acquire lifelong skills.

The SOXCPA is wholly owned by Compliance LLC, a company incorporated in Wilmington, NC, and offices in Washington, DC, a provider of risk and compliance training and certification in 57 countries.

Several business units of Compliance LLC are very successful associations that offer standard and lifetime membership, weekly or monthly updates, training, certification, Authorized Certified Trainer (ACT) programs, interest representation, and other services to their members. The business units of Compliance LLC include:

- The Basel iii Compliance Professionals Association (BiiiCPA), the largest association of Basel iii Professionals in the world. You may visit: https://www.basel-iii-association.com

- The Solvency II Association, the largest association of Solvency II professionals in the world. You may visit: https://www.solvency-ii-association.com

- The International Association of Risk and Compliance Professionals (IARCP). You may visit: https://www.risk-compliance-association.com

The Certified Risk and Compliance Management Professional (CRCMP) certificate, from the IARCP, has become one of the most recognized certificates in risk management and compliance. There are CRCMPs in 57 countries. Companies and organizations around the world consider the CRCMP a preferred certificate.

You can find more about the demand for CRCMPs at: https://www.risk-compliance-association.com/CRCMP_Jobs_Careers.pdf


CRCMP

2. Does the association offer training?

The SOXCPA offers distance learning and online certification programs in most countries, and in-house instructor-led training programs in companies and organizations in many countries.

A. Distance learning and online certification programs.

  1. Certified Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CSOE). To learn more, you may visit: https://www.sarbanes-oxley-association.com/Distance_Learning_and_Certification.htm
  2. Certified Japanese Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CJSOXE). J-SOX is the unofficial term that refers to Japan’s Financial Instruments and Exchange Law that was promulgated by the Japanese National Diet in June 2006, and to other laws, guidelines, and standards. The Japanese framework is modeled after the U.S. Sarbanes-Oxley Act. To learn more, you may visit: https://www.sarbanes-oxley-association.com/CJSOXE_Distance_Learning_and_Certification.htm
  3. Certified EU Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CEUSOE). E-SOX is the unofficial term that refers to the 8th company law directive of the EU, and some other European directives and regulations that collectively achieve the objectives of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. To learn more, you may visit: https://www.sarbanes-oxley-association.com/CEUSOE_Distance_Learning_and_Certification.htm

B. Instructor-led training.

The association develops and maintains three certification programs and many tailor-made training programs for directors, executive managers, risk and compliance managers, internal and external auditors, data owners, process owners, consultants, suppliers, and service providers.

For instructor-led training, you may contact Lyn Spooner at: lyn@sarbanes-oxley-association.com

3. Is there any discount available for the distance learning programs?

We do not offer a discount for your first program, as we want to keep the cost as low as possible for all members. You have a $100 discount for your second and each additional program.

It is recommended to start with the Certified Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CSOE) program. The all-inclusive cost is $147. Then, you can have a $100 discount for each next program.

After you purchase the Certified Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CSOE) program at $147, you can purchase:

  1. The Certified Japanese Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CJSOXE) program at $197 (instead of $297),
  2. The Certified EU Sarbanes-Oxley Expert (CEUSOE) program at $197 (instead of $297),
  3. The Certified Risk and Compliance Management Professional (CRCMP) program at $197 (instead of $297),
  4. The Certified Information Systems Risk and Compliance Professional (CISRCP) program at $197 (instead of $297),
  5. The Certified Cyber (Governance Risk and Compliance) Professional - CC(GRC)P program at $197 (instead of $297),
  6. The Certified Risk and Compliance Management Professional in Insurance and Reinsurance - CRCMP(Re)I program at $197 (instead of $297),
  7. The Travel Security Trained Professional (TSecTPro) program at $197 (instead of $297).
  8. To find more about programs 3 to 7 above, you may visit the International Association of Risk and Compliance Professionals (IARCP) at: https://www.risk-compliance-association.com/Distance_Learning_and_Certification.htm

Lifetime members can purchase each of the CSOE, the CEUSOE, and CJSOXE distance learning and online certification programs, at $97.

If you are a lifetime member, or you have already purchased one of our programs and you want to purchase your next program, please contact Lyn Spooner via email, to receive the URL for the discounter price, at lyn@sarbanes-oxley-association.com

4. Are your training and certification programs vendor neutral?

Yes. We do not promote any products or services, and we are 100% independent.

5. Are there any entry requirements or prerequisites required for enrolling in the training programs?

There are no entry requirements or prerequisites for enrollment. Our programs give the opportunity to individuals of all levels to learn, grow, and develop new skills without the need for prior qualifications or specific experience.

6. I want to learn more about the exam.

You can take the exam online from your home or office, in all countries.

It is an open book exam. Risk and compliance management is something you must understand and learn, not memorize. You must acquire knowledge and skills, not commit something to memory.

You will be given 90 minutes to complete a 35-question exam. You must score 70% or higher.

The exam contains only questions that have been clearly answered in the official presentations.

All exam questions are multiple-choice, composed of two parts:

a. A stem (a question asked, or an incomplete statement to be completed).

b. Four possible responses.

In multiple-choice questions, you must not look for a correct answer, you must look for the best answer. Cross out all the answers you know are incorrect, then focus on the remaining ones. Which is the best answer? With this approach, you save time, and you greatly increase the likelihood of selecting the correct answer.

TIME LIMIT - This exam has a 90-minute time limit. You must complete this exam within this time limit, otherwise the result will be marked as an unsuccessful attempt.

BACK BUTTON - When taking this exam you are NOT permitted to move backwards to review/change prior answers. Your browser back button will refresh the current page instead of moving backward.

RESTART/RESUME – You CANNOT stop and then resume the exam. If you stop taking this exam by closing your browser, your answers will be lost, and the result will be marked as an unsuccessful attempt.

SKIP - You CANNOT skip answering questions while taking this exam. You must answer all the questions in the order the questions are presented.

We do not send sample questions or past exams. If you study the presentations, you can score 100%.

a. When you are ready to take the CSOE exam, you must follow the steps: https://www.sarbanes-oxley-association.com/CSOE_Certification_Steps_1.pdf

b. When you are ready to take the CJSOXE exam, you must follow the steps: https://www.sarbanes-oxley-association.com/CJSOXE_Certification_Steps_1.pdf

c. When you are ready to take the CEUSOE exam, you must follow the steps: https://www.sarbanes-oxley-association.com/CEUSOE_Certification_Steps_1.pdf

7. How comprehensive are the presentations? Are they just bullet points?

The presentations are not bullet points. They are effective and appropriate to study online or offline.

8. Do I need to buy books to pass the exam?

No. If you study the presentations, you can pass the exam. All the exam questions are clearly answered in the presentations. If you fail the first time, you must study more. Print the presentations and use Post-it to attach notes, to know where to find the answer to a question.

9. Is it an open book exam? Why?

Yes, it is an open book exam. Risk and compliance management is something you must understand and learn, not memorize. You must acquire knowledge and skills, not commit something to memory.

10. Do I have to take the exam soon after receiving the presentations?

No. You can take the exam any time. Your account never expires. You have lifetime access to the training program. If there are any updates to the training material, the updated program will be sent free of charge.

11. Do I have to spend more money in the future to remain certified?

No. Your certificate never expires. It will be valid, without the need to spend money or to take another exam in the future.

12. Ok, the certificate never expires, but things change.

Recertification would be a great recurring revenue stream for the association, but it would also be a recurring expense for our members. We resisted the temptation to "introduce multiple recurring revenue streams to keep business flowing", as we were consulted. No recertification is needed for our programs.

Things change, and this is the reason you need to become (at no cost) a member of the association. Every month you can visit the "Reading Room" of the association and read our newsletter with updates, alerts, and opportunities, to stay current.

13. How many hours do I need to study to pass the exam?

You must study the presentations at least twice, to ensure you have learned the details. The average time needed is:

- 29 hours for the CSOE program,
- 32 hours for the CJSOXE program,
- 38 hours for the CEUSOE program.

This is the average time needed. There are important differences among members.

14. I want to receive a printed certificate. Can you send me one?

Unfortunately this is not possible. You will receive your certificate via email in Adobe Acrobat format (pdf), with a scannable QR code for verification, 7 business days after you pass the exam. A business day refers to any day in which normal business operations are conducted (in our case Monday through Friday), excluding weekends and public holidays.

The association will develop a dedicated web page for each certified professional (https://www.sarbanes-oxley-association.com/Your_Name.html). In your dedicated web page we will add your full name, all the certificates you have received from the association, and the pictures of your certificates.

When third parties scan the QR code on your certificate, they will visit your dedicated web page, and they will be able to verify that you are a certified professional, and your certificates are valid and legitimate.

Professional certificates are some of the most frequently falsified documents. Employers and third parties need an easy, effective, and efficient way to check the authenticity of each certificate. QR code verification is a good response to this demand.

You can print your certificate that you will receive in Adobe Acrobat format (pdf). With the scannable QR code, all third parties can verify the authenticity of each certificate in a matter of seconds.

15. Which is the refund policy?

The association has a very clear refund policy: You have the option to ask for a full refund up to 60 days after the payment. If you do not want one of our programs or services for any reason, all you must do is to send us an email, and we will refund the payment after one business day, no questions asked.

16. Why should I get certified, and why should I choose your certification programs?

  1. The Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Professionals Association (SOXCPA) is the largest association of Sarbanes-Oxley professionals in the world.
  2. Our training programs are flexible and convenient. Learners can access the course material and take the exam at any time and from any location. This is especially important for those with busy schedules.
  3. The all-inclusive cost of our programs is very low. There is no additional cost for each program, now or in the future, for any reason.
  4. If you purchase a second program, you have a $100 discount. The all-inclusive cost for your second (and each additional) program is $197.
  5. There are 3 exam attempts per year that are included in the cost of each program, so you do not have to spend money again if you fail.
  6. No recertification is required. Your certificates never expire.
  7. The marketplace is clearly demanding qualified professionals in risk and compliance management. Certified professionals enjoy industry recognition and have more and better job opportunities. It is important to get certified and to belong to professional associations. You prove that you are somebody who cares, learns, and belongs to a global community of professionals.
  8. Firms and organizations hire and promote fit and proper professionals who can provide evidence that they are qualified. Employers need assurance that managers and employees have the knowledge and skills needed to mitigate risks and accept responsibility. Supervisors and auditors ask for independent evidence that the process owners are qualified, and that the controls can operate as designed, because the persons responsible for these controls have the necessary knowledge and experience.
  9. Professionals that gain more skills and qualifications often become eligible for higher-paying roles. Investing in training can have a direct positive impact on a manager's or employee's earning potential.

Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance Professionals Association, some of our clients