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ACTON Marketing Achieves SAS 70 Type II Certification

Following an independent audit, ACTON Marketing, LLC has obtained SAS 70 (Statement of Auditing Standards No. 70, Service Organizations) Type II certification. SAS 70 is an internationally recognized auditing standard for service providers developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). A SAS 70 Type II examination report is often required by companies to facilitate compliance requirements and they value the SAS 70 certification as verification that their service vendor maintains the most stringent internal practiced in protecting critical information throughout the data lifecycle process.

ACTON Marketing creates and operates marketing campaigns for financial institutions across North America. The company's services include processing and analyzing sensitive personal consumer information. A successful completion of the comprehensive SAS 70 Type II examinations indicate that ACTON Marketing's processes, procedures and general controls have been formally reviewed and the company's maintenance of effective controls and safeguards were validated.

"We're pleased but not surprised that ACTON Marketing has successfully completed the rigorous examination required to achieve the SAS 70 certification," says Brian Beach, CEO. "Our company has invested in the time, technology, and training we need to assure our clients their data is safe in our hands."

"Some banks and credit unions won't do business with a company that isn't SAS 70 certified, and with good reason," says Beach. "Our SAS 70 Type II certification gives our clients confidence in us and overall peace of mind. That's as important to us as it is to them."

The Omaha, Nebraska firm of Hancock & Dana, PC, Accountants & Consultants, conducted the audit according to the standards of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and in compliance with the Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) No. 70 "Report on the Processing of Transactions by Service Organizations."

Financial organizations look for SAS 70 certification from their business partners so they can comply with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act requirements.

Many marketing companies outsource responsibilities to vendors rather than institute SAS 70 controls.

"We do not outsource data maintenance or data analysis to a third party," says Information Technology Network Manager Minh Tran. "Knowing exactly where your client data resides and who has access substantially reduces the possibility of a breach in a client's confidential data."

ACTON Marketing's SAS 70 audit included its computer operations, procedures, personnel, building security, and offsite emergency backup plans and facilities. The Hancock & Dana report says, "accurate and comprehensive policies and procedures are in place to ensure the highest overall level of security for ACTON Marketing, LLC facilities and safeguard company and client information, systems, assets, and resources."

The audit covered May 1, 2009 through April 30, 2010. Tests were applied to the significant and relevant controls with the audit team noting "no relevant exceptions."

All SAS 70 audit reports (Type I and Type II) give the auditor's opinion on the accuracy of a company's description of its operating controls and their suitability to reach control objectives. The Type II audit report goes farther. In it, the auditor gives an opinion on whether the specific controls were actually operating during the period under review. The Type II certification report shows the results of tests conducted by the auditor. Businesses looking for assurance have more confidence in a Type II report because they can see the verification and test results.

ACTON Marketing, LLC is a full-service direct marketing organization that provides complete direct mail programs for financial institutions pursuing new account growth. ACTON Marketing was the first marketing company to promote free checking. Using decades of proprietary data, knowledge, and experience, ACTON Marketing continues to offer successful strategies, creative, and production services to clients in North America. Besides its Checking Account Customer Acquisition program, ACTON offers strategies for New Movers marketing, pre-approved auto loans, cross-selling and more. The company also has its own consumer research division that offers custom research. To learn more visit actonfs.com.