Honor Society® member
Sherry Strong
- information technology
- Class of 2026
- Summerville, SC
Member since April 2026
About
Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT), Cybersecurity concentration — In progress (expected Sept 2026). Graduate program focused on cybersecurity governance, risk management, and technical security fundamentals, including information assurance, network security, security controls, and incident response. Strengthening IT audit, risk, compliance, and controls expertise to complement my government and healthcare auditing background.
Education
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American Intercontinental University
Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT), Cybersecurity concentration
2025 – 2026
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American Intercontinental University
BS Accounting
2017 – 2019
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Fayetteville Technical Community College
Associate in Healthcare Management Technology
2012 – 2014
Honors and awards
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Epsilon Pi Tau (EPT), International Honor Society for the Professions in Technology — Inductee (Delta Delta Chapter, American Intercontinental University); induction scheduled April 15, 2026
Epsilon Pi Tau (EPT) is the leading international honor society for technology. Epsilon Pi Tau recognizes academic excellence of students in fields devoted to the study of technology and the preparation of practitioners for the technology professions.
Goals and interests
- Career goal
My intended job path is to continue advancing in audit and compliance into IT/cybersecurity risk and governance roles—leveraging my government and healthcare audit background and my MSIT (Cybersecurity) studies to support internal controls, regulatory compliance, and risk management.
- Outside the classroom
In my free time, I love shopping and traveling, and I value quality time with my husband and loved ones. I also enjoy cooking and relaxing at home with my toy poodle, Benji, who keeps me entertained and smiling. I’m naturally a social butterfly and genuinely enjoy meeting new people and building connections. I also make it a priority to keep learning new skills that will support my personal growth and enhance my future.
Experience
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Senior Consultant, Advisory
Deloitte & Touche, LLC Performed SOX ITGC testing over access, change management, and IT operations controls in support of external and internal audit requirements, documenting procedures, exceptions, and conclusions in accordance with firm methodology. Supported IT audit walkthroughs by reviewing screenshots, system configurations, access authorizations, and segregation-of-duties (SoD) evidence, and consolidating results into standardized audit workpapers. Analyzed control design and operating effectiveness across multiple IT environments, identifying potential control deficiencies and supporting recommendations to improve risk management and compliance. Collaborated with audit team members and IT stakeholders to clarify control designs, testing expectations, and evidence requirements, ensuring clear and timely communication throughout engagements. Researched and documented systems process workflows and data flows.
Jan 2025 – May 2025
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Audit Support, Advisory
Deloitte & Touche, LLC • Assessed Department of the Navy ERP requirements and business processes using a risk-based approach to confirm system capabilities supported internal controls, compliance, and audit readiness objectives. • Participated in cross-functional requirements and process workshops with 400+ stakeholders; documented current-state process flows, pain points, risks, and control considerations in Excel to inform future-state process and control design. • Validated and organized large requirement sets and supporting documentation in Excel; identified gaps, redundancies, and inconsistencies impacting control coverage, requirements traceability, and operational efficiency. • Analyzed 300+ ERP requirements and mapped them to business processes and control considerations using Excel-based trackers/traceability logs; documented recommendations to improve performance and strengthen audit compliance alignment.
Apr 2023 – Sep 2023
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Audit Support Lead, Advisory
Deloitte & Touche, LLC • Assessed the design and operating effectiveness of NAVSUP internal controls supporting financial operations; identified control deficiencies and recommended remediation to strengthen compliance, security, and audit readiness. • Validated semi-annual DD Form 577 appointment and Delegation of Authority (DOA) documentation by verifying appointing authority/appointee signatures and dates, appointment validity/termination status, effective dates covering the transaction period, and required pecuniary liability acknowledgements. • Executed reviews in the system of record—Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE), Joint Appointment Module (JAM)—and maintained complete evidence (DD 577s/DOA letters) and audit-ready workpapers to support government stakeholder inquiries. • Tested end-to-end authorization and approval workflows through control walkthroughs and stakeholder interviews; documented results and exceptions and coordinated corrective actions to closure. • At the Commanding Officer’s request, reviewed external auditor work products and recommendations for sufficiency/coverage; summarized gaps and improvement opportunities, and provided management feedback that contributed to NAVSUP updating its internal audit procedures to better prepare for future external audits. • Coordinated cross-functional stakeholders (program leadership, process owners, financial management, and audit teams) to align testing strategy with risk priorities, manage evidence requests, and track issue resolution. • Collaborated with the Program Manager and engagement leadership to align testing strategies with risk priorities and support the development of SOPs and management feedback reports.
Sep 2022 – Apr 2023
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IT Senior Associate/Auditor
Kearney & Company, P.C. • Supported DoD financial statement audits by assisting with audit planning and executing a risk-based audit approach using FISCAM guidance, in compliance with the Financial Audit Manual (FAM) and GAGAS. • Supported assurance engagements including SOC 1 Type 2 examinations, financial statement audits, and legal/regulatory compliance audits by performing risk assessment, walkthroughs, control testing, and evidence-based documentation. • Tested mainframe security controls (ACF2, Top Secret) and evaluated IT General Controls (ITGCs) across logical access, privileged access, account management, Segregation of Duties (SoD), Security Management (SM), Configuration Management (CM), change control, baseline configuration, and Business Process / Interface (BP/IN) controls. • Conducted control walkthroughs, virtual site visits, and stakeholder interviews to document systems, processes, and control execution; maintained complete, audit-ready evidence and traceability. • Performed population reconciliations, sample selection, and IT sampling plan development; executed test steps and documented results, exceptions, and conclusions in accordance with audit methodology. • Authored detailed audit workpapers documenting scope, criteria, procedures performed, evidence reviewed, results, and conclusions; developed and wrote audit findings and supported reporting deliverables. • Tracked and validated remediation for prior-year Noted Findings and Recommendations (NFRs) through the Corrective Action Plan (CAP) process, supporting development/updates to Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms), and documenting closure evidence for audit follow-up. • Supported engagement management by monitoring milestones/timelines, reviewing staff work products, and mentoring two team members through planning, fieldwork, and follow-up. • Tracked requests, evidence, testing status, and issue resolution in TeamMate and exclusive audit programs; produced deliverables and trackers in Excel and managed audit evidence repositories in SharePoint.
Jan 2020 – Jul 2022
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Compliance & Business Integrity/Research Compliance Auditor
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center • Led risk-based compliance and quality audits across Compliance & Business Integrity (CBI) and Research programs by validating records, protocols, management controls, policies, and metric reports; ensured audit trails were complete and audit-ready. • Performed medical chart and documentation audits (including Community Care authorizations, research charts, inpatient/outpatient encounter documentation, consultations, and scanned records) to verify accuracy, completeness, and timeliness in alignment with VA/VHA policies, clinical documentation standards, and applicable healthcare regulations; documented findings and escalated high-risk gaps. • Identified deficiencies in control design and operating effectiveness, drafted detailed audit reports, and supported CAP development and follow-up monitoring to mitigate compliance risk and reduce repeat issues. • Developed streamlined and automated audit routines to improve consistency of testing, accelerate evidence review, and strengthen ongoing compliance monitoring and reporting. • Conducted Research Compliance assessments and surveys to evaluate program effectiveness, monitor emerging risk, and recommend process improvements aligned to internal audit standards and applicable regulations. • Maintained proficiency in HIPAA, HITECH, and privacy requirements; applied privacy standards during medical chart/documentation audits and ensured secure handling of protected health information (PHI) in audit workpapers and evidence. • Researched and interpreted applicable VA policies and healthcare regulatory requirements to support risk assessments, update compliance policies/procedures, and develop audit communications (e.g., memoranda/correspondence) and training reference material; escalated recurring compliance trends to leadership for timely resolution.
Jan 2019 – Jan 2020
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Medical Administration Specialist / Administrative Officer of the Day
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center • Oversaw after-hours clinical operations and administrative compliance, ensuring adherence to VA policies and patient-safety procedures while coordinating with ER and inpatient/outpatient teams. • Reviewed inpatient/outpatient encounter documentation, consult packages, and scanned records for completeness and accuracy; initiated corrections and follow-up to strengthen documentation integrity and audit readiness. • Served as a point of escalation for documentation and workflow issues, partnering with clinical and administrative stakeholders to resolve gaps and reinforce standardized processes. • Delivered hands-on training and coaching to 30+ staff on documentation standards, compliance expectations, and administrative protocols, improving consistency and reducing repeat errors. • Supported continuous quality improvement by identifying workflow bottlenecks affecting throughput and documentation quality and recommending process changes that improved operational efficiency.
Aug 2018 – Jan 2019
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Supervisory Medical Support Assistant
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center • Oversaw monthly program financial management for VA Community Care (VACC) by tracking obligations and expenditures, monitoring budget execution, and ensuring alignment with VA policies/procedures. • Prepared documentation outlining the audit/review process for high-cost Fee Basis Claims System (FBCS) authorizations; analyzed authorization/billing data to identify spend trends, variances, and compliance risks. • Developed and maintained financial trackers and reports (Excel + standardized monthly budget reports); uploaded/controlled supporting documentation in SharePoint to maintain audit-ready files and improve visibility for leadership. • Prepared, processed, and tracked VA Form 1358 actions (obligations/modifications, increases/decreases, fund distributions); coordinated with finance stakeholders to support timely obligation and effective use of funds. • Performed compliance-focused reviews of billing/authorization support (Community Care claims/FBCS billing and vendor invoice/PO support); documented exceptions, escalated high-risk issues, and coordinated corrective actions with providers, billing, finance/contracting, and Health Net. • Consolidated and presented monthly budget reviews, forecasts, and specialty financial reports; briefed the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) on budget status, risks, and recommended corrective actions. • Supervised, trained, and directed a team of Medical Support Assistants; established standardized workflows, performance expectations, and escalation paths to improve timeliness and reduce rework. • Owned end-to-end non‑VA Community Care provider Network Management workflow (build roster → verify credentials/licensure → collect required documentation → execute participation agreement → resolve issues → onboard) to ensure compliant, timely onboarding per VA/VHA policy and audit-ready records. • Reviewed consultation/authorization workflows to identify missing/late/incorrect documentation and strengthen end‑to‑end integrity (request → approval → documentation → retrieval), improving audit readiness and reducing downstream billing issues.
Oct 2016 – Aug 2018
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Lead Medical Support Assistant (Acting Supervisor)
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center • Led workflow and staff training as SME; served as Acting MSA Supervisor ensuring team continuity. • Managed inpatient/outpatient authorization processing; audited VA Community Care Authorizations. • Processed 500+ accurate authorizations supporting veteran medical service delivery. • Educated veterans, vendors, and VA Medical Center staff on Non-VA Care processes, fostering stakeholder understanding and engagement.
Jul 2015 – Oct 2016
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Medical Support Assistant
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center • Served as liaison and Lead Trainer between Non-VA Care Coordination and Health Net Federal Services (Patient-Centered Community Care), enhancing communication and process consistency. • Supported diverse administrative and operational functions including customer service, consult processing, authorization and claims management, patient billing resolution, scanning and document management, appointment scheduling, and data entry. • Managed Health Net website resources, batch data entry, report generation, and clerical duties to support care coordination efficiency. • Conducted clinical documentation retrieval, Veteran State Home and IPERIA auditing to support compliance and care quality assurance.
Aug 2013 – Jul 2015
Languages
- English (US) Advanced
Additional information
Organizations
