Fraud deterrence programs never take a vacation, but your employees most definitely should. Requiring employees to take regular vacations is a key anti-fraud control in an organization’s comprehensive fraud deterrence program. In its 2014 Report to the Nations, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) notes that a mandatory vacation policy reduces an organization’s median… Read more »
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Posts Categorized: Forensic Accounting
Eliminating Opportunity Is Crucial to Fraud Deterrence
Opportunity — the ability for fraudsters to carry out the misappropriation of cash or other company assets — is one of the three key elements necessary for fraud to occur and it is an element that organizations often can eliminate by enacting strong anti-fraud controls as part of a comprehensive fraud deterrence program. In its… Read more »
Fraud Investigation Reveals Fraud Schemes
Fraud investigations into asset misappropriation — one of the three main types of fraud — reveal an assortment of deceitful means by which dishonest employees can steal from an organization. “There is no shortage of schemes by which a fraudster can misappropriate funds from an employer, whether it is a company, a non-profit or a… Read more »
Tip Hotlines Enhance Fraud Deterrence
Performing a formal financial audit annually is thought by many to be the most effective means of fraud detection and fraud deterrence. It’s not. Only three percent of all fraud is detected by a formal financial audit. In fact, more than twice as many are discovered by accident than by formal audit. So what is… Read more »
Fraud Investigation Identifies Three Types of Fraud
Fraud investigations worldwide reveal that asset misappropriation, corruption and financial statement fraud are the three main types of fraud, according to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). The ACFE identified these three key types of fraud in its 2014 Report to the Nations, the results of a global survey conducted biennially to study the… Read more »
Why You Can’t Afford Not to Invest in Fraud Deterrence
Think a fraud deterrence program is too pricey? Consider this. In its biennial global survey, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) found that the typical organization loses five percent of its revenues to fraudulent activities each year. That conclusion was a key finding in the ACFE’s 2014 Report to the Nations, the results of… Read more »
Understanding “The Fraud Triangle” Can Aid in Fraud Deterrence
Fraud deterrence is undoubtedly a complex issue. But there is one seemingly simple approach that can help you keep fraud out of your business or organization: Understanding “The Fraud Triangle” and using it to your advantage. “‘The Fraud Triangle’ is what forensic accountants talk about when they refer to the three elements that are necessary… Read more »
Financial Statements Can Be Invaluable in Fraud Deterrence
Financial statements issued by companies, government entities or organizations can be invaluable tools in fraud deterrence. But too often, the people in charge don’t bother to read these statements on a regular basis, and those who do often don’t understand what they are reading. Understanding your financial statements, and knowing what to look for, are… Read more »
A Disaster Recovery Plan Can Help your Business Survive a Disaster
Disasters are in the news every day. Tornadoes. Hurricanes. Sinkholes. Floods. Fires. As a matter of practice, you’ve probably insured your home, your business, your health and your very life in the event disaster strikes. But what do you actually do when the immediate threat has passed? Do you have a disaster recovery plan in… Read more »
Fraud Deterrence Starts with You
As a reasonable and intelligent business owner who employs reasonable and intelligent employees, you might think fraud deterrence programs are unnecessary. It’s a given that everyone knows they’re not supposed to steal from their employer, right? And they also understand that as the boss, you get certain perks to which they are not entitled. It’s… Read more »
Business Valuation Reveals What Your Business is Really Worth
Something has come up and you need to know what your business is worth. Do you need the advice of a business valuation expert to figure this out or can you do it on your own? The business down the street sold for $10 million, the former owner claims. Your business is about half the… Read more »
Fraud Investigations Reveal Trusted Employees Often at Fault
It’s in the headlines nearly every day — stories about fraud investigations that reveal the theft of hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars from local businesses, government agencies and charitable organizations. And who’s to blame? Too often the culprit is a long-time trusted employee. “The person responsible for defrauding the company frequently is… Read more »
The Impact of Different Conventions for Projecting Future Damages, Part I
When calculating damages for future periods – such as for lost profits, loss of income in wrongful death cases, etc. – experts are often charged with expressing an opinion as to what would happen in the future but for the wrongful act. These projections typically rely upon either industry trends or on the historical operating… Read more »
