From internal control
structures that are not fraud-specific to insufficient communication in the fraud
discovery-to-investigation and conviction process, fraudulent activity is a widespread
fact of life in the business world. Historically, the corporate tendency has been to react
to fraud after the fact, rather than to be proactive in its prevention. And in most cases,
blame is directed at accountants and auditors. Unfortunately, these officers are rarely
provided with the resources, proper training, and commitment from top management that are
essential to effective fraud detection and control. The Accountant s Guide to Fraud
Detection and Control offers comprehensive direction for this largely uncharted area.
Two types of fraud are addressed in this book: fraudulent financial reporting, also known
as "Treadway" fraud, usually originating in the top management sector; and
"asset-theft" fraud, the more common and more costly type, likely to be
practiced by virtually anyone, including outsiders. Treadway fraud is being adequately
detected by independent auditors (CPAs) in their annual audits. Asset-theft fraud is not
being adequately detected by anyone, with very few exceptions. From following clues to
achieving a prosecution, here is sound advice that accountants and auditors will find
invaluable.
Businesses lose over $100
billion a year to fraud. Only 20 percent is discovered. Who s to blame?
Accountants and internal
auditors are often the scapegoats for management s insufficient fraud detection operations
and guidelines. At last, here is comprehensive, intermediate training for evaluating,
devising, and installing fraud-specific internal controls, and for conducting proactive
fraud-specific examinations. Including actual case studies, the authors show accountants
and auditors how to:
Anticipate problems and
follow clues
Successfully disclose fraud
Compile the evidence
necessary to prosecute acts of fraud
Develop investigative
techniques
Create effective internal
controls . . . and much more, to fill the needs of this crucial area.
Table of Contents
FRAUD-SPECIFIC EXAMINATIONS
AND INTERNAL CONTROL.
Audit Responsibility for
Fraud Detection After Cohen and Treadway.
New Perspectives on Fraud.
Principles and Standards for
Fraud-Specific Examinations.
Classifying Fraud for
Improved Detection.
Internal Control and
Fraud-Specific Internal Control.
Establishing and Operating
an Effective Fraud-Specific Internal Control System: Seven Steps to Internal Control.
Computer Fraud 101.
Fraud Case Studies.
Fraud Case Studies-Solutions.
Custodial Fraud.
INVESTIGATING FRAUD.
Investigating Suspected
Fraud.
Proactive and Reactive
Investigations.
PROSECUTING FRAUD.
Rules of Evidence, Fraud
Discovery, and Prosecution.
The Legal Cases in Fraud.
Ethical Conduct and Fraud
Prevention.
Bibliography.
Index.
366 pages