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Fraud Detection & Prevention
April 26, 2016
ā€¢ Occupational Fraud Defined
ā€¢ ACFE Fraud Study Results & Recommendations
ā€¢ Occupational Fraud Categories & Schemes
ā€¢ Red Flags of Fraud
ā€¢ Keys to Prevention & Detection
ā€¢ Essential Internal Controls
2
Agenda
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Brown Smith Wallace LLP
Occupational Fraud Defined
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The use of oneā€™s occupation for personal enrichment through the
deliberate misuse or application of the employing organizationā€™s
resources or assets.
Violation of trust
Three general categories:
ļƒ¼ Asset misappropriation
ļƒ¼ Corruption
ļƒ¼ Financial statement fraud
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Definition
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Brown Smith Wallace LLP
Perpetrator steals or misuses an organizationā€™s resources.
Examples:
a. Clerk stealing cash receipts.
b. Payroll Clerk creating a ghost employee.
c. Purchasing Clerk creating a fictitious vendor and false
invoice.
d. Employees ā€œborrowingā€ equipment, tools, etc.
e. Sales person purchasing personal items on the
Company credit card.
f. Falsified expense reports.
5
Asset Misappropriation
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Employeeā€™s use of influence in business transactions in a way
that violates duty to the employer for the purpose of obtaining
benefit for self or someone else.
Examples:
a. Purchasing Department Manager awarding a contract
to a vendor for a kickback.
b. Human Resources Director hiring unqualified ā€œfriendsā€
to fill positions.
c. City Council member trading votes for personal favors.
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Corruption
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Intentional misstatement or omission of material information in
the organizationā€™s financial reports.
Examples:
a. Inflating revenues on the financial statements.
b. Concealing liabilities and expenses.
c. Improperly valuing assets
7
Financial Statement Fraud
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2016 ACFE Fraud Study
Results & Recommendations
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Worldā€™s largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of
anti-fraud training and education.
Over 75,000 members in more than 140 countries.
Provides educational tools and practical solutions for anti-fraud
professionals.
Offers its members the opportunity for professional certification
ā€“ the CFE credential is preferred by businesses and
government entities around the world and indicates expertise in
fraud prevention and detection.
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About the ACFE
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Online survey distributed to over 41,000 CFEs. Received 2,410
usable responses for purposes of the report.
Respondents were asked to provide a detailed narrative of the
single largest fraud case they investigated since January 2014.
Respondents were also presented with 81 questions to answer.
Survey respondents had a median of 10 years of experience in
fraud examination.
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Study Methodology
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ā€¢ Estimated organizations lose 5% of annual revenue to fraud ā€“ applied to 2014
estimated Gross World Product, this translates to potential fraud loss of up to $3.7
trillion worldwide.
ā€¢ Median loss in the study was $150,000 with more than 23.2% of the cases involving
losses over $1 million.
ā€¢ Fraud lasted a median of 18 months, losses rose with duration of scheme.
ā€¢ Asset misappropriation schemes (fraudulent disbursements, theft of cash receipts,
other asset misappropriations) were the most common form of fraud, representing
83% of the cases and least costly at a median loss of $125,000.
ā€¢ Financial statement fraud schemes were the least common form of fraud,
representing less than 10% of the cases and most costly at a median loss at
$975,000.
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Summary of Findings
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ā€¢ Corruption schemes fell in the middle, comprising just over 35% of cases
and causing a median loss of $200,000.
ā€¢ Occupational frauds are most likely to be detected by tips (40%) followed by
management review (13%) and Internal Audit (16%).
ā€¢ Small organizations are disproportionately victimized by occupational fraud.
ā€¢ Banking/financial services, manufacturing and government/public
administration were the most commonly victimized industries.
ā€¢ Anti-fraud controls appear to help reduce the cost and duration of
occupational fraud schemes.
ā€¢ High-level perpetrators cause the greatest damage to their organizations.
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Summary of Findings
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ā€¢ More than 75% of frauds were committed by individuals in one of six departments:
ā€¢ Accounting/Finance
ā€¢ Operations
ā€¢ Sales
ā€¢ Executive/upper management
ā€¢ Customer service
ā€¢ Purchasing
ā€¢ First-time offenders - More than 85% of fraudsters had never been previously
charged or convicted for a fraud-related offense.
ā€¢ Fraud perpetrators often display warning signs ā€“ most common behavioral red flag
reported in the survey were perpetrators living beyond their means (45%) and
experiencing financial difficulty (30%).
ā€¢ Nearly half of victim organizations do not recover any losses that they suffer due to
fraud.
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Summary of Findings
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How Are Frauds Detected?
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Source of Tips
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ā€¢ Occupational fraud is a global problem ā€“ trends in fraud schemes, perpetrator characteristics and
anti-fraud controls are similar regardless of where the fraud occurred.
ā€¢ Fraud reporting is a critical component of an effective fraud prevention and detection system.
ā€¢ Organizations over-rely on audits.
ā€¢ Employee education is the foundation of preventing and detecting occupational fraud. Most frauds
are detected by tips and anti-fraud training for employees and managers results in lower fraud
losses.
ā€¢ Surprise audits are an effective, yet underutilized, tool in the fight against fraud. Useful in detecting
fraud, but most important benefit is in preventing fraud by creating a perception of detection.
ā€¢ Small business are particularly vulnerable to fraud due to far fewer controls in place. Need to focus
on hotlines and setting an ethical tone.
ā€¢ Internal controls alone are insufficient to fully prevent occupational fraud.
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Conclusions & Recommendations
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ā€¢ Fraudsters exhibit behavioral warning signs of their misdeeds. For example:
ā€¢ Living beyond their means.
ā€¢ Financial difficulties.
ā€¢ Exhibiting control issues ā€“ unwillingness to share duties.
ā€¢ Unusually close relationship with vendor/customer.
ā€¢ Wheeler dealer attitude.
ā€¢ Family problems.
ā€¢ Irritability, suspiciousness or defensiveness.
ā€¢ Addiction problems.
ā€¢ Refusal to take vacation.
ā€¢ Etc.
ā€¢ Auditors and employees should be trained to recognize the common behavioral signs that a fraud
is occurring.
ā€¢ Effective fraud prevention measures are critical
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Conclusions & Recommendations
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Occupational Fraud Categories
& Schemes
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Source: 2016 ACFE Global Fraud Study
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ACFE Fraud Tree
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ā€¢ Most common category of occupational fraud ā€“
over 83% of cases reported.
ā€¢ Least costly ā€“ median loss of $125,000.
ā€¢ Billing schemes were most common and check
tampering the most costly (median loss of
$158,000)
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Overall Asset Misappropriation Findings
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ā€“ Check Tampering
ā€“ Billing
ā€“ Non-Cash
ā€“ Payroll
ā€“ Skimming
ā€“ Expense Reimbursements
ā€“ Cash Larceny
ā€“ Cash on Hand
ā€“ Cash Register Disbursements
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Asset Misappropriation Schemes
ā€¢ Steal employer funds by intercepting, forging or altering
a check drawn on employer bank account.
ā€¢ Examples:
ā€“ Steal blank check stock and make check out to self.
ā€“ Steal outgoing check to vendor and deposit into personal
account.
ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings
ā€“ 11.4% of cases.
ā€“ $158,000 median loss.
ā€“ 24 months median duration.
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Asset Misappropriation - Check Tampering
ā€¢ Cause employer to issue payment for fictitious goods or
services, inflated invoices or invoices for personal
purchases.
ā€¢ Examples:
ā€“ Create shell company and bill employer for services not
rendered.
ā€“ Purchase personal item and submit invoice to employer for
payment.
ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings:
ā€“ 22.2% of cases.
ā€“ $100,000 median loss.
ā€“ 24 months median duration.
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Asset Misappropriation - Billing
ā€¢ Employee steals or misuses any non-cash assets of the
organization.
ā€¢ Examples:
ā€“ Steal assets or inventory.
ā€“ Steal or misuse confidential organization or customer data.
ā€“ Misuse assets or equipment for personal use.
ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings:
ā€“ 19.2% of cases.
ā€“ $70,000 median loss.
ā€“ 15 months median duration.
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Asset Misappropriation - Non-Cash
ā€¢ Employee causes employer to issue a payment by
making false claims for compensation.
ā€¢ Examples:
ā€“ Claim overtime for hours not worked.
ā€“ Add ghost employees to payroll.
ā€“ Inflate wages.
ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings:
ā€“ 8.5% of cases.
ā€“ $90,000 median loss.
ā€“ 24 months median duration.
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Asset Misappropriation - Payroll
ā€¢ Employee steals an incoming payment from an
organization before it is recorded on the organizationā€™s
books and records.
ā€¢ Examples:
ā€“ Accept payment, donā€™t record sale and pocket the money.
ā€“ Steal payments on receivables and write-off the account.
ā€“ Conceal theft of previous receipts by applying payments from
current receipts (lapping).
ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings:
ā€“ 11.9% of cases.
ā€“ $53,000 median loss.
ā€“ 22 months median duration.
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Asset Misappropriation - Skimming
ā€¢ Employee makes a claim for reimbursement of fictitious
or inflated business expenses.
ā€¢ Examples:
ā€“ File a fraudulent expense report.
ā€“ Claiming personal travel.
ā€“ Nonexistent meals.
ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings:
ā€“ 14% of cases.
ā€“ $40,000 median loss.
ā€“ 24 months median duration.
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Asset Misappropriation - Expense Reimbursements
ā€¢ Employee steals cash receipts from an organization after
it has been recorded on the organizationā€™s books and
records.
ā€¢ Examples:
ā€“ Steal cash and checks from daily receipts before they can be
deposited in the bank.
ā€“ False voids or refunds.
ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings:
ā€“ 8.4% of cases.
ā€“ $90,000 median loss.
ā€“ 20 months median duration.
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Asset Misappropriation - Cash Larceny
ā€¢ Employee steals cash kept on hand at organization.
ā€¢ Examples:
ā€“ Steal cash from company vault.
ā€“ Steal from petty cash funds.
ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings:
ā€“ 11.5% of cases.
ā€“ $25,000 median loss.
ā€“ 15 months median duration.
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Asset Misappropriation - Cash on Hand
ā€¢ Employee makes false entries on a cash register to
conceal the fraudulent removal of cash.
ā€¢ Examples:
ā€“ Void a sale on the register and steal the cash .
ā€“ Ring up a false refund and pocket the cash.
ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings:
ā€“ 2.7% of cases.
ā€“ $30,000 median loss.
ā€“ 13 months median duration.
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Asset Misappropriation - Cash Register Disbursements
ā€¢ 35.4% of cases reported.
ā€¢ Median loss of $200,000.
ā€¢ Median duration ā€“ 18 months.
ā€¢ Employees acting alone or in collusion with
vendors/contractors.
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Overall Corruption Findings
ā€¢ Conflicts of Interest
ā€¢ Bribery
ā€¢ Illegal Gratuities
ā€¢ Economic Extortion
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Corruption Schemes
ā€¢ Employee/agent has an undisclosed personal or
economic interest in a matter that influences decisions
and undermines their professional responsibility to their
organization.
ā€¢ Types:
ā€“ Purchasing
ā€“ Sales
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Corruption - Conflicts of Interest
ā€¢ Undisclosed financial interest in a supplier or contractor.
ā€¢ Sets up a bogus contractor/vendor or buys through broker or middleman the
employee controls.
ā€¢ Involved in other business ventures with supplier or contractor.
ā€¢ Interest in competing business.
ā€¢ Accepts inappropriate gifts, travel, entertainment or fees (kickbacks) from
vendors.
ā€¢ Negotiates for or accepts employment with a supplier.
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Corruption - Conflicts of Interest - Purchasing
ā€¢ Underselling: Employee has hidden interest in an outside company to
which they sell goods or services at below market prices.
ā€¢ Writing off Sales: Employee tampers with organizations books to decrease
or write-off amounts owed by the company in which the employee has a
hidden interest.
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Corruption - Conflicts of Interest - Sales
ā€¢ Improper, undisclosed payments made to obtain
favorable treatment.
ā€¢ Collusion between external and internal parties = makes
it hard to detect.
ā€¢ Types:
ā€“ Invoice Kickbacks
ā€“ Bid Rigging
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Corruption - Bribery
ā€¢ Vendor submits false invoices that either overstate the
cost of goods/services or reflect fictitious sales.
ā€¢ Vendor pays kickback to employee of victim organization
who either:
ā€“ Has approval authority and approves payment of the invoice.
ā€“ Lacks approval authority, but circumvents accounts payable
controls.
ā€¢ Creating a fictitious purchase requisition and/or order.
ā€¢ Preparing a fraudulent invoice.
ā€¢ Preparing false vouchers.
ā€¢ Gaining access to a restricted password in order to authorize payments in
the payables system.
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Corruption ā€“ Bribery - Kickback
ā€¢ Employee receives kickback for directing business to a
vendor.
ā€¢ Vendor pays kickback to ensure a steady stream of
business.
ā€¢ Vendor does not have to compete for the business and is
no longer subject to economic pressures of the
marketplace.
ā€¢ Purchasing organization almost always overpays.
ā€¢ Vendor may even raise prices to cover cost of kickback.
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38
Corruption ā€“ Bribery ā€“ Bid Rigging
ā€¢ Giving or receiving something of value to reward a
business decision.
ā€¢ Examples:
ā€“ A Real Estate Director negotiated a land development deal with
a group of private investors. After the deal was approved, the
Director and his wife were rewarded with a free international
vacation.
ā€“ A Government Purchasing Manager awarded a Government
contract to a new supply company. After the contract was
approved, the Purchasing Manager received World Series
Tickets.
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39
Corruption - Illegal Gratuities
ā€¢ Employee, through the wrongful use of actual or
threatened force or fear, demands money or other form
of consideration to make a particular business decision.
ā€¢ Refusal to pay results in harm to the vendor.
ā€¢ ā€œPay up or elseā€¦..ā€
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Corruption - Economic Extortion
ā€¢ 10% of cases reported.
ā€¢ Median loss of $975,000.
ā€¢ Median duration ā€“ 24 months.
ā€¢ Occurs at higher levels/positions in the organization.
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Overall Financial Statement Findings
ā€¢ Fictitious Revenues
ā€¢ Timing Differences
ā€¢ Improper Asset Valuations
ā€¢ Concealed Liabilities and Expenses
ā€¢ Improper Disclosures
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Financial Statement Fraud Schemes
ā€¢ Recording of sales of goods or services that did not
occur.
ā€¢ Can involve fake or legitimate customers:
ā€“ Prepare fictitious invoice (not mailed) for legitimate customer
even though goods not delivered or services not rendered.
ā€“ Artificially inflate or alter invoices to reflect higher amounts than
actually sold.
ā€¢ Typical accounting entry:
Accounts Receivable (Debit) xxx,xxx
Sales (Credit) xxx,xxx
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43
Financial Statement - Fictitious Revenues
ā€¢ Recording of sales of revenues or expenses in improper
periods.
ā€¢ Types:
ā€“ Premature revenue recognition: recognize revenue before
realized or realizable and earned. One or more of the following
criteria not met:
ā€¢ Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists.
ā€¢ Delivery has occurred or services have been rendered.
ā€¢ The sellerā€™s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable.
ā€¢ Collectability is reasonable assured.
ā€“ Sales with Conditions: terms have not been completed or
rights and risks of ownership have not passed to the purchaser.
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Financial Statement - Timing Differences
ā€¢ Types (continued):
ā€“ Long-Term Contracts: Risk is with the percentage-of-
completion method for revenue recognition. Percentage-of-
completion method recognizes revenues and expenses as
measurable progress is made on a project and is vulnerable to
manipulation.
ā€“ Multiple Deliverables: Seller completes the earnings process
over a period of time and thus must recognize revenue over this
period as components are delivered (ex. Cell phone and 2 year
service). Managers can manipulate the estimated price of the
individual components to delay or accelerate revenue
recognition.
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45
Financial Statement - Timing Differences
ā€¢ Types (continued):
ā€“ Channel-Surfing: Sale of an unusually large quantity of a
product to distributors who are encouraged to overbuy through
the use of deep discounts or extended payment terms. Results
in increased short-term earnings. SEC has focused on this
scheme and has brought enforcement actions against major
U.S. corporations including Coca-Cola and McAfee.
ā€“ Recording Expenses in Wrong Period: Pressure to meet
budgets can expose organizations to the risk of not timely
recognizing expenses. This results in not properly matching
expenses against the revenue they produce = increased
earnings in the current period and depressed earnings in the
subsequent period.
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Financial Statement - Timing Differences
ā€¢ Manipulate the valuation of a companyā€™s assets to
strengthen the balance sheet and financial ratios.
ā€¢ Types:
ā€“ Inventory Valuation: Per GAAP, inventory must be valued at
the lower of cost or market. Overstated assets and mismatched
cost of goods sold with revenue could result by:
ā€¢ Failing to write down or off inventory.
ā€¢ Manipulation of physical inventory counts.
ā€¢ Inflation of unit costs.
ā€¢ Failure to adjust inventory for cost of goods sold.
ā€¢ Falsely reporting large values of inventory in transit.
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Financial Statement - Improper Asset Valuation
ā€¢ Types (continued):
ā€“ Accounts Receivable:
ā€¢ Fictitious accounts receivables.
ā€¢ Failure to write off accounts receivable as bad debt expenses.
ā€“ Business Combinations: Companies are required to allocate
the purchase price they have paid to acquire another business to
tangible and intangible assets. The following could occur:
ā€¢ Over allocation of purchase price to in-process research and development
assets which can be written off immediately.
ā€¢ Establish excessive reserves for various expenses at time of acquisition with
plans to release the excess reserves into earnings at a future date.
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48
Financial Statement - Improper Asset Valuation
ā€¢ Types (continued):
ā€“ Fixed Assets: Bogus fixed assets can be created by a variety of
methods:
ā€¢ Booking fictitious assets.
ā€¢ Misrepresenting the value of fixed assets.
ā€¢ Capitalizing non-asset costs (ex. interest and finance charges).
ā€“ Understating Assets: Additional funding could be base on asset
amounts (government regulated). Can be done directly or
through improper depreciation.
ā€“ Misclassifying Assets: Could be done to meet budget
requirements (ex. Fixed assets reclassified as current assets).
Skews financial ratios and could help with loan covenants or
other borrowing requirements.
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49
Financial Statement - Improper Asset Valuation
ā€¢ Understate liabilities and expenses to manipulate financial
statements to make a company appear more profitable.
ā€¢ Types:
ā€“ Liability/Expense Omissions: Fail to record liabilities or expenses.
ā€“ Improperly Capitalized Costs: Capitalizing expenses will overstate
income in current period and understate income in subsequent periods
due to depreciation expense.
ā€“ Returns and Allowances and Warranties:
ā€¢ Improper recording of sales returns and allowances = company fails to
properly record the expense associated with sales returns and allowances.
ā€¢ Improper warranty recording = warranty is offered and warranty expense is
not estimated and accrued.
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50
Financial Statement - Concealed Liabilities and Expenses
ā€¢ Types (Continued):
ā€“ Using Off-Balance Sheet Entities to Conceal Expenses and
Liabilities: Separate entity created to perform a single business
purpose on the parent companyā€™s behalf. Legal if accounted for
properly. However, not legal if used to hide massive amount of
debt for which parent company is responsible (ex. ENRON).
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Financial Statement - Concealed Liabilities and Expenses
ā€¢ Management has the responsibility to disclose all
significant (material) information appropriately in the
financial statements. In addition, the disclosed
information must not be misleading.
ā€¢ Types:
ā€“ Liability Omissions: Failure to disclose loan covenants or
contingent liabilities.
ā€“ Subsequent Events: Failure to disclose events occurring or
becoming known after the close of the period that could have a
significant effect on the financial position of the entity.
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52
Financial Statement - Improper Disclosures
ā€¢ Types (Continued):
ā€“ Management Fraud: Failure to disclose significant frauds
committed by officers, executives, and others in positions of
trust.
ā€“ Related Party Transactions: Failure to fully disclose when a
company does business with another entity whose management
or operating policies can be controlled or significantly influenced
by the company or by some other party in common.
ā€“ Accounting Changes: Failure to disclose accounting changes
related to accounting principles, estimates, or reporting entities.
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Financial Statement - Improper Disclosures
Red Flags of Fraud
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Fraud Triangle
ā€¢ Living beyond their means ā€“ 45.8%
ā€¢ Financial difficulties ā€“ 30%
ā€¢ Unusually close association with vendor/customer ā€“ 20.1%
ā€¢ Wheeler-Dealer attitude ā€“ 15.3%
ā€¢ Control issues/unwillingness to share duties ā€“ 15.3%
ā€¢ Divorce/Family problems ā€“ 13.4%
ā€¢ Irritability, suspiciousness, or defensiveness ā€“ 12.3%
ā€¢ Addiction problems ā€“ 10%
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Behavioral Red Flags ā€“ Top 8
ā€¢ Middle aged male, employed by the organization for a number of
years and in a position of trust.
ā€¢ Educated.
ā€¢ Works in the financial department.
ā€¢ Member of management.
ā€¢ Driven by money and opportunity.
IS THIS TRUE?????
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57
Typical Fraudster
Keys to Prevention & Detection
58
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Anti-Fraud Culture
Fraud Policy
Fraud
Awareness/Training
Hotline
Assess Fraud Risks
Review/Investigation
Improved Controls
ā€¢ Set the tone at the top = Lead by Example
ā€“ Responsibility of Directors and Officers
ā€“ Behave ethically and openly communicate expectations to employees
ā€“ Treat all employees equally
ā€“ Zero tolerance
ā€¢ Create a positive workplace environment
ā€“ Focus on employee morale
ā€“ Empower employees
ā€“ Communicate
ā€¢ Hire and promote appropriate employees
ā€“ Conduct background investigations before hiring or promoting
ā€“ Check candidateā€™s education, employment history, references
ā€“ Continuous and objective evaluation of compliance with entity values
ā€“ Violations addressed immediately
Anti-Fraud Culture
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ā€¢ Code of Conduct
ā€“ Formalized and founded on integrity
ā€“ Defines acceptable employee behavior
ā€“ Communicated to all employees
ā€“ All employees are held accountable for compliance
ā€¢ Discipline
ā€“ Sends a strong message throughout the entity
ā€“ Should be appropriate and consistent
ā€“ Consequences of committing fraud clearly communicated throughout
the entity
Anti-Fraud Culture
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ā€¢ Oversight Process
ā€“ Audit Committee or Board of Directors
ā€¢ Evaluate managementā€™s ā€œtone at the topā€, identification of fraud risks and
implementation of anti-fraud controls
ā€¢ Ensure that management implements anti-fraud measures
ā€¢ Consider the potential for management override of controls
ā€“ Management
ā€¢ Directs, implements and monitors anti-fraud controls
ā€¢ Sets the ethical tone
ā€¢ Trains employees
ā€“ Internal Auditor
ā€¢ Identifies fraud indicators
ā€¢ Assesses fraud risks
ā€¢ Evaluates anti-fraud controls
ā€¢ Recommends actions to mitigate risks
ā€¢ Investigates potential frauds
ā€¢ Discipline
ā€“ Sends a strong message throughout the entity
ā€“ Should be appropriate and consistent
ā€“ Consequences of committing fraud clearly communicated throughout
the entity
Anti-Fraud Culture
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ā€¢ Demonstrate commitment to combating fraud
ā€¢ Apply to all Directors, Management, employees,
consultants, vendors, contractors, etc.
ā€¢ Should include:
ā€“ Statement of organizationā€™s position on fraud
ā€“ Scope of the policy ā€“ who does it apply to
ā€“ Managementā€™s responsibility for prevention and detection of fraud
ā€“ Definition of fraud
ā€“ Actions constituting fraud
ā€“ Fraud reporting process/procedures
ā€“ Fraud investigation process/procedures
ā€“ Unit responsible for administration of the policy and investigating fraud
allegations
ā€“ Statement on anonymity/confidentiality
ā€“ Consequences
Fraud Policy
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ā€¢ Reviewed and updated regularly.
ā€¢ Signed off and agreed to by the CEO and Board Chair.
ā€¢ See the ACFE for an example Fraud Policy
http://www.acfe.com/uploadedFiles/ACFE_Website/Content/documents/Sa
mple_Fraud_Policy.pdf
Fraud Policy
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
ā€¢ All new employees should be trained at time of hiring
on the Code of Conduct and Fraud Policy.
ā€¢ Training should include:
ā€“ Their duty to communicate certain matters
ā€“ A list of the types of matters to be communicated along with examples
ā€“ How to communicate those matters
ā€“ Affirmation from senior management regarding employee expectations
and communication responsibilities
ā€¢ Refresher training periodically
Fraud Awareness/Training
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
ā€¢ Enable employees, vendors, customers and others to
communicate concerns about known or suspected
wrongdoing.
ā€¢ Telephone, email, internet.
ā€¢ Anonymous.
ā€¢ Adequately publicized.
ā€¢ Internal or External.
ā€¢ Complaint monitoring and investigation/resolution.
Hotline
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
ā€¢ Conduct an annual fraud risk assessment.
ā€“ Assists management in systematically identifying where and how fraud may
occur and who may be in a position to commit fraud
ā€“ Focus on fraud schemes and scenarios to determine the presence of internal
controls and whether or not the controls can be circumvented.
ā€“ General steps:
ā€¢ Identify areas and processes to assess
ā€¢ Identify potential fraud schemes in each area/process
ā€¢ Assess likelihood and significant of each scheme
ā€¢ Map existing anti-fraud controls to potential fraud schemes
ā€¢ Test operating effectiveness of antifraud controls
ā€¢ Identify any control gaps and/or deficiencies = Residual risks
ā€¢ Document and report on the fraud risk assessment
Assess Fraud Risks
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
ā€¢ Mitigate Fraud Risks
ā€“ Make changes to activities and/or processes = transfer or eliminate the risks
ā€“ Improve anti-fraud controls
ā€¢ Monitor Fraud Risks
ā€“ Develop data analytics for management to use to monitor fraud risks
ā€“ Utilize Internal Audit to conduct audits of risk areas.
Assess Fraud Risks
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
ā€¢ All concerns/suspicions of wrongdoing should be reviewed
and determination made whether a fraud investigation is
warranted.
ā€¢ Develop a policy for fraud reviews and investigations that
specifies:
ā€“ Who is responsible for the review/investigation
ā€“ Roles of Legal Counsel, Human Resources, Internal Audit, others
ā€“ Process for conducting the review/investigation
ā€“ Documentation requirements
ā€“ Reporting requirements
ā€“ When to involve law enforcement
Fraud Review/Investigation
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
ā€¢ Gather sufficient information and perform procedures
necessary to determine:
ā€“ Whether fraud has occurred
ā€“ Loss or exposure associated with the fraud
ā€“ Who was involved and how it happened
ā€¢ Must prepare, document and preserve evidence sufficient for
potential legal proceedings.
ā€¢ Include experts = Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Fraud Review/Investigation
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
ā€¢ Use lessons learned from any fraud reviews or investigations
to improve anti-fraud controls.
ā€¢ All fraud review and investigations should include a report to
management with recommendations for control
improvement.
Improved Controls
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
Essential Internal Controls
72
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
ā€¢ Utilize electronic payments.
ā€¢ Properly secure unused checks and equipment.
ā€¢ Utilize security features on checks.
ā€¢ Prohibit hand written checks.
ā€¢ Require two signatures on checks over a certain amount.
ā€¢ Segregate check preparation from signing.
ā€¢ Immediately mail checks after signing.
ā€¢ Establish positive pay controls with the bank.
ā€¢ Complete independent bank reconciliations timely.
ā€¢ Review checks issued to employees for irregularities.
ā€¢ Segregate vendor approval from disbursement responsibilities.
ā€¢ Perform periodic vendor master file maintenance and review for
irregularities.
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
73
Check Tampering Controls
ā€¢ Segregate purchasing from accounting and receiving departments.
ā€¢ Require management approval of purchase requisitions/orders.
ā€¢ Maintain a master vendor file.
ā€¢ Require competitive bids.
ā€¢ 3 way match by accounting of vendor invoice, receiving report and purchase
order.
ā€¢ Periodically review master vendor file for unusual vendors and addresses.
ā€¢ Implement automated controls to check for duplicate invoices and purchase
orders.
ā€¢ Verify vendors with post office boxes.
ā€¢ Review voucher payments for proper documentation.
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
74
Billing Controls
ā€¢ Asset policy and procedure manual.
ā€¢ Tag assets.
ā€¢ Maintain asset, supply and inventory records.
ā€¢ Conduct independent periodic inventories of assets, supplies and
inventories.
ā€¢ Reconcile the physical inventory to asset, supply and inventory records.
ā€¢ Properly secure and safeguard assets, supplies and inventories.
ā€¢ Implement an asset, supply and inventory removal policy.
ā€¢ Store high value items in secure and continuously monitored areas.
ā€¢ Secure organization, employee and customer data.
ā€¢ Maintain secure information systems.
ā€¢ Protect intellectual property, trade secrets, etc.
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
75
Non-Cash Controls
ā€¢ Maintain personnel records independent of payroll and timekeeping.
ā€¢ Utilize electronic payroll deposit.
ā€¢ Periodically review employee payroll list.
ā€¢ Review paid time off for compliance with policy.
ā€¢ Periodically compare payroll with personnel records.
ā€¢ Issue pre-numbered payroll checks in sequential order.
ā€¢ Payroll bank account reconciled by employee not involved in preparing,
signing or distributing checks.
ā€¢ Restrict access to payroll check stock and signature stamp.
ā€¢ Periodically review payroll withholdings.
ā€¢ Periodically review automatic payroll deposits for duplicates.
ā€¢ Require salary changes require more than one level of approval.
ā€¢ Require supervisor authorization of overtime.
ā€¢ Require supervisors review and approve time.
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
76
Payroll Controls
ā€¢ Periodic analytical review of revenue.
ā€¢ Periodic review of accounts receivable for write-offs.
ā€¢ Periodic review of cash accounts for irregular entries.
ā€¢ Segregate receipt of cash and checks from deposit and recording functions.
ā€¢ Restrict cashier from accounts receivable and customer records.
ā€¢ Immediately restrictively endorse all checks when received.
ā€¢ Utilize a lockbox service for cash receipts.
ā€¢ Maintain a safe with restricted access.
ā€¢ Utilize cameras in cashier areas.
ā€¢ Deposit cash and checks daily.
ā€¢ Issue receipts for all transactions.
ā€¢ Bond employees who handle cash.
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
77
Skimming Controls
ā€¢ Expense reimbursement policy.
ā€¢ Require detailed expense reports.
ā€¢ Supervisory review and approval of expense reimbursement claims.
ā€¢ Place limits on expenses.
ā€¢ Require original and detailed receipts.
ā€¢ Detailed review of expense reimbursement claims.
ā€¢ Credit/Procurement card policy with limits.
ā€¢ Safeguards credit/procurement cards.
ā€¢ Receive and review monthly automated statements from credit/procurement
card companies.
ā€¢ Require and review monthly detailed credit/procurement card reports from
employees.
ā€¢ Reconcile credit card statement to employee report.
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
78
Expense Reimbursement Controls
ā€¢ Independently reconcile cash register tape totals daily to the cash drawer.
ā€¢ Limit and monitor access to cash draw and safe.
ā€¢ Properly supervise cashiers.
ā€¢ Utilize cameras in cashier areas.
ā€¢ Segregate cash receipts, bank deposit, reconciliation, posting/accounting
and cash disbursement duties.
ā€¢ Periodic mandatory job rotation for employees who handle cash and
accounting duties.
ā€¢ Mandatory vacations.
ā€¢ Surprise cash counts.
ā€¢ Utilize point of sale system.
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
79
Cash Larceny Controls
ā€¢ Limit and monitor access:
ā€“ Safe.
ā€“ Cash handling areas.
ā€“ Cash drawer.
ā€“ Petty cash.
ā€¢ Properly supervise cashiers.
ā€¢ Utilize cameras in cash handling areas.
ā€¢ Periodic mandatory job rotation for employees who handle cash and
accounting duties.
ā€¢ Mandatory vacations.
ā€¢ Surprise cash counts.
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
80
Cash On Hand Controls
ā€¢ Management approval for refunds, voids, discounts.
ā€¢ Review refunds, voids and discounts on a periodic basis.
ā€¢ Require receipts to customers ā€“ post sign.
ā€¢ Record disbursements out of the register and independently reconcile.
ā€¢ Investigate missing or altered register tapes.
ā€¢ Daily reconciliation of cash register drawer by independent person.
ā€¢ Investigate over and short incidents.
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
81
Cash Register Disbursement Controls
ā€¢ Conflict of interest policy.
ā€¢ Policy addressing employee receipt of gifts, discounts, and services offered
by suppliers and customers.
ā€¢ Established procurement/bidding process.
ā€¢ Pre-Bid solicitation documents reviewed for restrictions on competition.
ā€¢ Bid solicitation packages numbered and controlled.
ā€¢ All bids kept confidential.
ā€¢ Bidder qualifications verified.
ā€¢ Contracts awarded based on predetermined criteria and documentation of
criteria assessment and award decision maintained.
ā€¢ Periodic review of purchases for:
ā€“ Unreasonable costs.
ā€“ Excessive purchases.
ā€“ Favored vendors.
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
82
Anti-Corruption Controls
ā€¢ Proper segregation of duties in purchasing and accounts payable as well as
sales and accounts receivable.
ā€¢ Purchasing account assignments rotated.
ā€¢ Periodic comparison of vendor information with employee information.
ā€¢ Vendors who employ former employees under increased scrutiny.
ā€¢ Reporting procedure for personnel and other vendors to report concerns
about vendors receiving favored treatment.
ā€¢ All employees required to complete annual disclosure document that
includes potential conflicts resulting from business ownership and
investment.
ā€¢ Audit clause in each contract allowing Internal Audit access to audit contract
records and documentation related to contract compliance and
performance.
ā€¢ Periodic contract audits conducted by Internal Audit.
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
83
Anti-Corruption Controls
ā€¢ Reduce situational pressures.
ā€¢ Reduce the opportunity to commit fraud.
ā€¢ Reduce the rationalization of fraud = strengthen employee personal
integrity.
ā€¢ Interviews.
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
84
Financial Statement Controls
ā€¢ Financial statement analysis
ā€“ Vertical: analyze relationships between items on an income statement, balance
sheet, or statement of cash flows by expressing components as a percentage of
a base value.
ā€“ Horizontal: analyze the percentage of change in individual financial statement
line items from one period to the next.
ā€“ Ratio: measuring the relationship between two different financial statement
amounts.
ā€¢ Current = Current Assets/Current Liabilities
ā€¢ Quick = (Cash + Securities + Receivables)/Current Liabilities
ā€¢ Accounts Receivable Turnover = Net Sales on Account/Average Net
Receivables
ā€¢ Collection = 365/Receivable Turnover
ā€¢ Inventory Turnover = Cost of Goods Sold/Average Inventory
ā€¢ Profit Margin = Net Income/Net Sales
ā€¢ Asset Turnover = Net Sales/Average Assets
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
85
Financial Statement Controls
Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
86
Questions????
Ron Steinkamp, CPA, CIA, CFE, CRMA, CGMA
Partner, Advisory Services
Brown Smith Wallace LLP
314.983.1238 (Direct)
rsteinkamp@bswllc.com
www.bswllc.com

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Ocupacional Fraud.pptx

  • 1. Fraud Detection & Prevention April 26, 2016
  • 2. ā€¢ Occupational Fraud Defined ā€¢ ACFE Fraud Study Results & Recommendations ā€¢ Occupational Fraud Categories & Schemes ā€¢ Red Flags of Fraud ā€¢ Keys to Prevention & Detection ā€¢ Essential Internal Controls 2 Agenda Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 3. Occupational Fraud Defined 3 Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 4. The use of oneā€™s occupation for personal enrichment through the deliberate misuse or application of the employing organizationā€™s resources or assets. Violation of trust Three general categories: ļƒ¼ Asset misappropriation ļƒ¼ Corruption ļƒ¼ Financial statement fraud 4 Definition Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 5. Perpetrator steals or misuses an organizationā€™s resources. Examples: a. Clerk stealing cash receipts. b. Payroll Clerk creating a ghost employee. c. Purchasing Clerk creating a fictitious vendor and false invoice. d. Employees ā€œborrowingā€ equipment, tools, etc. e. Sales person purchasing personal items on the Company credit card. f. Falsified expense reports. 5 Asset Misappropriation Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 6. Employeeā€™s use of influence in business transactions in a way that violates duty to the employer for the purpose of obtaining benefit for self or someone else. Examples: a. Purchasing Department Manager awarding a contract to a vendor for a kickback. b. Human Resources Director hiring unqualified ā€œfriendsā€ to fill positions. c. City Council member trading votes for personal favors. 6 Corruption Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 7. Intentional misstatement or omission of material information in the organizationā€™s financial reports. Examples: a. Inflating revenues on the financial statements. b. Concealing liabilities and expenses. c. Improperly valuing assets 7 Financial Statement Fraud Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 8. 2016 ACFE Fraud Study Results & Recommendations 8 Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 9. Worldā€™s largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education. Over 75,000 members in more than 140 countries. Provides educational tools and practical solutions for anti-fraud professionals. Offers its members the opportunity for professional certification ā€“ the CFE credential is preferred by businesses and government entities around the world and indicates expertise in fraud prevention and detection. 9 About the ACFE Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 10. Online survey distributed to over 41,000 CFEs. Received 2,410 usable responses for purposes of the report. Respondents were asked to provide a detailed narrative of the single largest fraud case they investigated since January 2014. Respondents were also presented with 81 questions to answer. Survey respondents had a median of 10 years of experience in fraud examination. 10 Study Methodology Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 11. ā€¢ Estimated organizations lose 5% of annual revenue to fraud ā€“ applied to 2014 estimated Gross World Product, this translates to potential fraud loss of up to $3.7 trillion worldwide. ā€¢ Median loss in the study was $150,000 with more than 23.2% of the cases involving losses over $1 million. ā€¢ Fraud lasted a median of 18 months, losses rose with duration of scheme. ā€¢ Asset misappropriation schemes (fraudulent disbursements, theft of cash receipts, other asset misappropriations) were the most common form of fraud, representing 83% of the cases and least costly at a median loss of $125,000. ā€¢ Financial statement fraud schemes were the least common form of fraud, representing less than 10% of the cases and most costly at a median loss at $975,000. 11 Summary of Findings Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 12. ā€¢ Corruption schemes fell in the middle, comprising just over 35% of cases and causing a median loss of $200,000. ā€¢ Occupational frauds are most likely to be detected by tips (40%) followed by management review (13%) and Internal Audit (16%). ā€¢ Small organizations are disproportionately victimized by occupational fraud. ā€¢ Banking/financial services, manufacturing and government/public administration were the most commonly victimized industries. ā€¢ Anti-fraud controls appear to help reduce the cost and duration of occupational fraud schemes. ā€¢ High-level perpetrators cause the greatest damage to their organizations. 12 Summary of Findings Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 13. ā€¢ More than 75% of frauds were committed by individuals in one of six departments: ā€¢ Accounting/Finance ā€¢ Operations ā€¢ Sales ā€¢ Executive/upper management ā€¢ Customer service ā€¢ Purchasing ā€¢ First-time offenders - More than 85% of fraudsters had never been previously charged or convicted for a fraud-related offense. ā€¢ Fraud perpetrators often display warning signs ā€“ most common behavioral red flag reported in the survey were perpetrators living beyond their means (45%) and experiencing financial difficulty (30%). ā€¢ Nearly half of victim organizations do not recover any losses that they suffer due to fraud. 13 Summary of Findings Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 14. 14 How Are Frauds Detected? Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 15. 15 Source of Tips Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 16. ā€¢ Occupational fraud is a global problem ā€“ trends in fraud schemes, perpetrator characteristics and anti-fraud controls are similar regardless of where the fraud occurred. ā€¢ Fraud reporting is a critical component of an effective fraud prevention and detection system. ā€¢ Organizations over-rely on audits. ā€¢ Employee education is the foundation of preventing and detecting occupational fraud. Most frauds are detected by tips and anti-fraud training for employees and managers results in lower fraud losses. ā€¢ Surprise audits are an effective, yet underutilized, tool in the fight against fraud. Useful in detecting fraud, but most important benefit is in preventing fraud by creating a perception of detection. ā€¢ Small business are particularly vulnerable to fraud due to far fewer controls in place. Need to focus on hotlines and setting an ethical tone. ā€¢ Internal controls alone are insufficient to fully prevent occupational fraud. 16 Conclusions & Recommendations Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 17. ā€¢ Fraudsters exhibit behavioral warning signs of their misdeeds. For example: ā€¢ Living beyond their means. ā€¢ Financial difficulties. ā€¢ Exhibiting control issues ā€“ unwillingness to share duties. ā€¢ Unusually close relationship with vendor/customer. ā€¢ Wheeler dealer attitude. ā€¢ Family problems. ā€¢ Irritability, suspiciousness or defensiveness. ā€¢ Addiction problems. ā€¢ Refusal to take vacation. ā€¢ Etc. ā€¢ Auditors and employees should be trained to recognize the common behavioral signs that a fraud is occurring. ā€¢ Effective fraud prevention measures are critical 17 Conclusions & Recommendations Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 18. Occupational Fraud Categories & Schemes 18 Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP Source: 2016 ACFE Global Fraud Study
  • 19. 19 ACFE Fraud Tree Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 20. ā€¢ Most common category of occupational fraud ā€“ over 83% of cases reported. ā€¢ Least costly ā€“ median loss of $125,000. ā€¢ Billing schemes were most common and check tampering the most costly (median loss of $158,000) 20 Overall Asset Misappropriation Findings Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 21. ā€“ Check Tampering ā€“ Billing ā€“ Non-Cash ā€“ Payroll ā€“ Skimming ā€“ Expense Reimbursements ā€“ Cash Larceny ā€“ Cash on Hand ā€“ Cash Register Disbursements Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 21 Asset Misappropriation Schemes
  • 22. ā€¢ Steal employer funds by intercepting, forging or altering a check drawn on employer bank account. ā€¢ Examples: ā€“ Steal blank check stock and make check out to self. ā€“ Steal outgoing check to vendor and deposit into personal account. ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings ā€“ 11.4% of cases. ā€“ $158,000 median loss. ā€“ 24 months median duration. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 22 Asset Misappropriation - Check Tampering
  • 23. ā€¢ Cause employer to issue payment for fictitious goods or services, inflated invoices or invoices for personal purchases. ā€¢ Examples: ā€“ Create shell company and bill employer for services not rendered. ā€“ Purchase personal item and submit invoice to employer for payment. ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings: ā€“ 22.2% of cases. ā€“ $100,000 median loss. ā€“ 24 months median duration. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 23 Asset Misappropriation - Billing
  • 24. ā€¢ Employee steals or misuses any non-cash assets of the organization. ā€¢ Examples: ā€“ Steal assets or inventory. ā€“ Steal or misuse confidential organization or customer data. ā€“ Misuse assets or equipment for personal use. ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings: ā€“ 19.2% of cases. ā€“ $70,000 median loss. ā€“ 15 months median duration. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 24 Asset Misappropriation - Non-Cash
  • 25. ā€¢ Employee causes employer to issue a payment by making false claims for compensation. ā€¢ Examples: ā€“ Claim overtime for hours not worked. ā€“ Add ghost employees to payroll. ā€“ Inflate wages. ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings: ā€“ 8.5% of cases. ā€“ $90,000 median loss. ā€“ 24 months median duration. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 25 Asset Misappropriation - Payroll
  • 26. ā€¢ Employee steals an incoming payment from an organization before it is recorded on the organizationā€™s books and records. ā€¢ Examples: ā€“ Accept payment, donā€™t record sale and pocket the money. ā€“ Steal payments on receivables and write-off the account. ā€“ Conceal theft of previous receipts by applying payments from current receipts (lapping). ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings: ā€“ 11.9% of cases. ā€“ $53,000 median loss. ā€“ 22 months median duration. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 26 Asset Misappropriation - Skimming
  • 27. ā€¢ Employee makes a claim for reimbursement of fictitious or inflated business expenses. ā€¢ Examples: ā€“ File a fraudulent expense report. ā€“ Claiming personal travel. ā€“ Nonexistent meals. ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings: ā€“ 14% of cases. ā€“ $40,000 median loss. ā€“ 24 months median duration. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 27 Asset Misappropriation - Expense Reimbursements
  • 28. ā€¢ Employee steals cash receipts from an organization after it has been recorded on the organizationā€™s books and records. ā€¢ Examples: ā€“ Steal cash and checks from daily receipts before they can be deposited in the bank. ā€“ False voids or refunds. ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings: ā€“ 8.4% of cases. ā€“ $90,000 median loss. ā€“ 20 months median duration. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 28 Asset Misappropriation - Cash Larceny
  • 29. ā€¢ Employee steals cash kept on hand at organization. ā€¢ Examples: ā€“ Steal cash from company vault. ā€“ Steal from petty cash funds. ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings: ā€“ 11.5% of cases. ā€“ $25,000 median loss. ā€“ 15 months median duration. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 29 Asset Misappropriation - Cash on Hand
  • 30. ā€¢ Employee makes false entries on a cash register to conceal the fraudulent removal of cash. ā€¢ Examples: ā€“ Void a sale on the register and steal the cash . ā€“ Ring up a false refund and pocket the cash. ā€¢ ACFE Global Fraud Study Findings: ā€“ 2.7% of cases. ā€“ $30,000 median loss. ā€“ 13 months median duration. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 30 Asset Misappropriation - Cash Register Disbursements
  • 31. ā€¢ 35.4% of cases reported. ā€¢ Median loss of $200,000. ā€¢ Median duration ā€“ 18 months. ā€¢ Employees acting alone or in collusion with vendors/contractors. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 31 Overall Corruption Findings
  • 32. ā€¢ Conflicts of Interest ā€¢ Bribery ā€¢ Illegal Gratuities ā€¢ Economic Extortion Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 32 Corruption Schemes
  • 33. ā€¢ Employee/agent has an undisclosed personal or economic interest in a matter that influences decisions and undermines their professional responsibility to their organization. ā€¢ Types: ā€“ Purchasing ā€“ Sales Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 33 Corruption - Conflicts of Interest
  • 34. ā€¢ Undisclosed financial interest in a supplier or contractor. ā€¢ Sets up a bogus contractor/vendor or buys through broker or middleman the employee controls. ā€¢ Involved in other business ventures with supplier or contractor. ā€¢ Interest in competing business. ā€¢ Accepts inappropriate gifts, travel, entertainment or fees (kickbacks) from vendors. ā€¢ Negotiates for or accepts employment with a supplier. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 34 Corruption - Conflicts of Interest - Purchasing
  • 35. ā€¢ Underselling: Employee has hidden interest in an outside company to which they sell goods or services at below market prices. ā€¢ Writing off Sales: Employee tampers with organizations books to decrease or write-off amounts owed by the company in which the employee has a hidden interest. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 35 Corruption - Conflicts of Interest - Sales
  • 36. ā€¢ Improper, undisclosed payments made to obtain favorable treatment. ā€¢ Collusion between external and internal parties = makes it hard to detect. ā€¢ Types: ā€“ Invoice Kickbacks ā€“ Bid Rigging Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 36 Corruption - Bribery
  • 37. ā€¢ Vendor submits false invoices that either overstate the cost of goods/services or reflect fictitious sales. ā€¢ Vendor pays kickback to employee of victim organization who either: ā€“ Has approval authority and approves payment of the invoice. ā€“ Lacks approval authority, but circumvents accounts payable controls. ā€¢ Creating a fictitious purchase requisition and/or order. ā€¢ Preparing a fraudulent invoice. ā€¢ Preparing false vouchers. ā€¢ Gaining access to a restricted password in order to authorize payments in the payables system. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 37 Corruption ā€“ Bribery - Kickback
  • 38. ā€¢ Employee receives kickback for directing business to a vendor. ā€¢ Vendor pays kickback to ensure a steady stream of business. ā€¢ Vendor does not have to compete for the business and is no longer subject to economic pressures of the marketplace. ā€¢ Purchasing organization almost always overpays. ā€¢ Vendor may even raise prices to cover cost of kickback. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 38 Corruption ā€“ Bribery ā€“ Bid Rigging
  • 39. ā€¢ Giving or receiving something of value to reward a business decision. ā€¢ Examples: ā€“ A Real Estate Director negotiated a land development deal with a group of private investors. After the deal was approved, the Director and his wife were rewarded with a free international vacation. ā€“ A Government Purchasing Manager awarded a Government contract to a new supply company. After the contract was approved, the Purchasing Manager received World Series Tickets. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 39 Corruption - Illegal Gratuities
  • 40. ā€¢ Employee, through the wrongful use of actual or threatened force or fear, demands money or other form of consideration to make a particular business decision. ā€¢ Refusal to pay results in harm to the vendor. ā€¢ ā€œPay up or elseā€¦..ā€ Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 40 Corruption - Economic Extortion
  • 41. ā€¢ 10% of cases reported. ā€¢ Median loss of $975,000. ā€¢ Median duration ā€“ 24 months. ā€¢ Occurs at higher levels/positions in the organization. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 41 Overall Financial Statement Findings
  • 42. ā€¢ Fictitious Revenues ā€¢ Timing Differences ā€¢ Improper Asset Valuations ā€¢ Concealed Liabilities and Expenses ā€¢ Improper Disclosures Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 42 Financial Statement Fraud Schemes
  • 43. ā€¢ Recording of sales of goods or services that did not occur. ā€¢ Can involve fake or legitimate customers: ā€“ Prepare fictitious invoice (not mailed) for legitimate customer even though goods not delivered or services not rendered. ā€“ Artificially inflate or alter invoices to reflect higher amounts than actually sold. ā€¢ Typical accounting entry: Accounts Receivable (Debit) xxx,xxx Sales (Credit) xxx,xxx Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 43 Financial Statement - Fictitious Revenues
  • 44. ā€¢ Recording of sales of revenues or expenses in improper periods. ā€¢ Types: ā€“ Premature revenue recognition: recognize revenue before realized or realizable and earned. One or more of the following criteria not met: ā€¢ Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists. ā€¢ Delivery has occurred or services have been rendered. ā€¢ The sellerā€™s price to the buyer is fixed or determinable. ā€¢ Collectability is reasonable assured. ā€“ Sales with Conditions: terms have not been completed or rights and risks of ownership have not passed to the purchaser. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 44 Financial Statement - Timing Differences
  • 45. ā€¢ Types (continued): ā€“ Long-Term Contracts: Risk is with the percentage-of- completion method for revenue recognition. Percentage-of- completion method recognizes revenues and expenses as measurable progress is made on a project and is vulnerable to manipulation. ā€“ Multiple Deliverables: Seller completes the earnings process over a period of time and thus must recognize revenue over this period as components are delivered (ex. Cell phone and 2 year service). Managers can manipulate the estimated price of the individual components to delay or accelerate revenue recognition. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 45 Financial Statement - Timing Differences
  • 46. ā€¢ Types (continued): ā€“ Channel-Surfing: Sale of an unusually large quantity of a product to distributors who are encouraged to overbuy through the use of deep discounts or extended payment terms. Results in increased short-term earnings. SEC has focused on this scheme and has brought enforcement actions against major U.S. corporations including Coca-Cola and McAfee. ā€“ Recording Expenses in Wrong Period: Pressure to meet budgets can expose organizations to the risk of not timely recognizing expenses. This results in not properly matching expenses against the revenue they produce = increased earnings in the current period and depressed earnings in the subsequent period. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 46 Financial Statement - Timing Differences
  • 47. ā€¢ Manipulate the valuation of a companyā€™s assets to strengthen the balance sheet and financial ratios. ā€¢ Types: ā€“ Inventory Valuation: Per GAAP, inventory must be valued at the lower of cost or market. Overstated assets and mismatched cost of goods sold with revenue could result by: ā€¢ Failing to write down or off inventory. ā€¢ Manipulation of physical inventory counts. ā€¢ Inflation of unit costs. ā€¢ Failure to adjust inventory for cost of goods sold. ā€¢ Falsely reporting large values of inventory in transit. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 47 Financial Statement - Improper Asset Valuation
  • 48. ā€¢ Types (continued): ā€“ Accounts Receivable: ā€¢ Fictitious accounts receivables. ā€¢ Failure to write off accounts receivable as bad debt expenses. ā€“ Business Combinations: Companies are required to allocate the purchase price they have paid to acquire another business to tangible and intangible assets. The following could occur: ā€¢ Over allocation of purchase price to in-process research and development assets which can be written off immediately. ā€¢ Establish excessive reserves for various expenses at time of acquisition with plans to release the excess reserves into earnings at a future date. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 48 Financial Statement - Improper Asset Valuation
  • 49. ā€¢ Types (continued): ā€“ Fixed Assets: Bogus fixed assets can be created by a variety of methods: ā€¢ Booking fictitious assets. ā€¢ Misrepresenting the value of fixed assets. ā€¢ Capitalizing non-asset costs (ex. interest and finance charges). ā€“ Understating Assets: Additional funding could be base on asset amounts (government regulated). Can be done directly or through improper depreciation. ā€“ Misclassifying Assets: Could be done to meet budget requirements (ex. Fixed assets reclassified as current assets). Skews financial ratios and could help with loan covenants or other borrowing requirements. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 49 Financial Statement - Improper Asset Valuation
  • 50. ā€¢ Understate liabilities and expenses to manipulate financial statements to make a company appear more profitable. ā€¢ Types: ā€“ Liability/Expense Omissions: Fail to record liabilities or expenses. ā€“ Improperly Capitalized Costs: Capitalizing expenses will overstate income in current period and understate income in subsequent periods due to depreciation expense. ā€“ Returns and Allowances and Warranties: ā€¢ Improper recording of sales returns and allowances = company fails to properly record the expense associated with sales returns and allowances. ā€¢ Improper warranty recording = warranty is offered and warranty expense is not estimated and accrued. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 50 Financial Statement - Concealed Liabilities and Expenses
  • 51. ā€¢ Types (Continued): ā€“ Using Off-Balance Sheet Entities to Conceal Expenses and Liabilities: Separate entity created to perform a single business purpose on the parent companyā€™s behalf. Legal if accounted for properly. However, not legal if used to hide massive amount of debt for which parent company is responsible (ex. ENRON). Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 51 Financial Statement - Concealed Liabilities and Expenses
  • 52. ā€¢ Management has the responsibility to disclose all significant (material) information appropriately in the financial statements. In addition, the disclosed information must not be misleading. ā€¢ Types: ā€“ Liability Omissions: Failure to disclose loan covenants or contingent liabilities. ā€“ Subsequent Events: Failure to disclose events occurring or becoming known after the close of the period that could have a significant effect on the financial position of the entity. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 52 Financial Statement - Improper Disclosures
  • 53. ā€¢ Types (Continued): ā€“ Management Fraud: Failure to disclose significant frauds committed by officers, executives, and others in positions of trust. ā€“ Related Party Transactions: Failure to fully disclose when a company does business with another entity whose management or operating policies can be controlled or significantly influenced by the company or by some other party in common. ā€“ Accounting Changes: Failure to disclose accounting changes related to accounting principles, estimates, or reporting entities. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 53 Financial Statement - Improper Disclosures
  • 54. Red Flags of Fraud 54 Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 55. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 55 Fraud Triangle
  • 56. ā€¢ Living beyond their means ā€“ 45.8% ā€¢ Financial difficulties ā€“ 30% ā€¢ Unusually close association with vendor/customer ā€“ 20.1% ā€¢ Wheeler-Dealer attitude ā€“ 15.3% ā€¢ Control issues/unwillingness to share duties ā€“ 15.3% ā€¢ Divorce/Family problems ā€“ 13.4% ā€¢ Irritability, suspiciousness, or defensiveness ā€“ 12.3% ā€¢ Addiction problems ā€“ 10% Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 56 Behavioral Red Flags ā€“ Top 8
  • 57. ā€¢ Middle aged male, employed by the organization for a number of years and in a position of trust. ā€¢ Educated. ā€¢ Works in the financial department. ā€¢ Member of management. ā€¢ Driven by money and opportunity. IS THIS TRUE????? Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 57 Typical Fraudster
  • 58. Keys to Prevention & Detection 58 Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 59. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP Anti-Fraud Culture Fraud Policy Fraud Awareness/Training Hotline Assess Fraud Risks Review/Investigation Improved Controls
  • 60. ā€¢ Set the tone at the top = Lead by Example ā€“ Responsibility of Directors and Officers ā€“ Behave ethically and openly communicate expectations to employees ā€“ Treat all employees equally ā€“ Zero tolerance ā€¢ Create a positive workplace environment ā€“ Focus on employee morale ā€“ Empower employees ā€“ Communicate ā€¢ Hire and promote appropriate employees ā€“ Conduct background investigations before hiring or promoting ā€“ Check candidateā€™s education, employment history, references ā€“ Continuous and objective evaluation of compliance with entity values ā€“ Violations addressed immediately Anti-Fraud Culture Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 61. ā€¢ Code of Conduct ā€“ Formalized and founded on integrity ā€“ Defines acceptable employee behavior ā€“ Communicated to all employees ā€“ All employees are held accountable for compliance ā€¢ Discipline ā€“ Sends a strong message throughout the entity ā€“ Should be appropriate and consistent ā€“ Consequences of committing fraud clearly communicated throughout the entity Anti-Fraud Culture Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 62. ā€¢ Oversight Process ā€“ Audit Committee or Board of Directors ā€¢ Evaluate managementā€™s ā€œtone at the topā€, identification of fraud risks and implementation of anti-fraud controls ā€¢ Ensure that management implements anti-fraud measures ā€¢ Consider the potential for management override of controls ā€“ Management ā€¢ Directs, implements and monitors anti-fraud controls ā€¢ Sets the ethical tone ā€¢ Trains employees ā€“ Internal Auditor ā€¢ Identifies fraud indicators ā€¢ Assesses fraud risks ā€¢ Evaluates anti-fraud controls ā€¢ Recommends actions to mitigate risks ā€¢ Investigates potential frauds ā€¢ Discipline ā€“ Sends a strong message throughout the entity ā€“ Should be appropriate and consistent ā€“ Consequences of committing fraud clearly communicated throughout the entity Anti-Fraud Culture Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 63. ā€¢ Demonstrate commitment to combating fraud ā€¢ Apply to all Directors, Management, employees, consultants, vendors, contractors, etc. ā€¢ Should include: ā€“ Statement of organizationā€™s position on fraud ā€“ Scope of the policy ā€“ who does it apply to ā€“ Managementā€™s responsibility for prevention and detection of fraud ā€“ Definition of fraud ā€“ Actions constituting fraud ā€“ Fraud reporting process/procedures ā€“ Fraud investigation process/procedures ā€“ Unit responsible for administration of the policy and investigating fraud allegations ā€“ Statement on anonymity/confidentiality ā€“ Consequences Fraud Policy Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 64. ā€¢ Reviewed and updated regularly. ā€¢ Signed off and agreed to by the CEO and Board Chair. ā€¢ See the ACFE for an example Fraud Policy http://www.acfe.com/uploadedFiles/ACFE_Website/Content/documents/Sa mple_Fraud_Policy.pdf Fraud Policy Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 65. ā€¢ All new employees should be trained at time of hiring on the Code of Conduct and Fraud Policy. ā€¢ Training should include: ā€“ Their duty to communicate certain matters ā€“ A list of the types of matters to be communicated along with examples ā€“ How to communicate those matters ā€“ Affirmation from senior management regarding employee expectations and communication responsibilities ā€¢ Refresher training periodically Fraud Awareness/Training Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 66. ā€¢ Enable employees, vendors, customers and others to communicate concerns about known or suspected wrongdoing. ā€¢ Telephone, email, internet. ā€¢ Anonymous. ā€¢ Adequately publicized. ā€¢ Internal or External. ā€¢ Complaint monitoring and investigation/resolution. Hotline Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 67. ā€¢ Conduct an annual fraud risk assessment. ā€“ Assists management in systematically identifying where and how fraud may occur and who may be in a position to commit fraud ā€“ Focus on fraud schemes and scenarios to determine the presence of internal controls and whether or not the controls can be circumvented. ā€“ General steps: ā€¢ Identify areas and processes to assess ā€¢ Identify potential fraud schemes in each area/process ā€¢ Assess likelihood and significant of each scheme ā€¢ Map existing anti-fraud controls to potential fraud schemes ā€¢ Test operating effectiveness of antifraud controls ā€¢ Identify any control gaps and/or deficiencies = Residual risks ā€¢ Document and report on the fraud risk assessment Assess Fraud Risks Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 68. ā€¢ Mitigate Fraud Risks ā€“ Make changes to activities and/or processes = transfer or eliminate the risks ā€“ Improve anti-fraud controls ā€¢ Monitor Fraud Risks ā€“ Develop data analytics for management to use to monitor fraud risks ā€“ Utilize Internal Audit to conduct audits of risk areas. Assess Fraud Risks Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 69. ā€¢ All concerns/suspicions of wrongdoing should be reviewed and determination made whether a fraud investigation is warranted. ā€¢ Develop a policy for fraud reviews and investigations that specifies: ā€“ Who is responsible for the review/investigation ā€“ Roles of Legal Counsel, Human Resources, Internal Audit, others ā€“ Process for conducting the review/investigation ā€“ Documentation requirements ā€“ Reporting requirements ā€“ When to involve law enforcement Fraud Review/Investigation Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 70. ā€¢ Gather sufficient information and perform procedures necessary to determine: ā€“ Whether fraud has occurred ā€“ Loss or exposure associated with the fraud ā€“ Who was involved and how it happened ā€¢ Must prepare, document and preserve evidence sufficient for potential legal proceedings. ā€¢ Include experts = Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) Fraud Review/Investigation Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 71. ā€¢ Use lessons learned from any fraud reviews or investigations to improve anti-fraud controls. ā€¢ All fraud review and investigations should include a report to management with recommendations for control improvement. Improved Controls Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 72. Essential Internal Controls 72 Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP
  • 73. ā€¢ Utilize electronic payments. ā€¢ Properly secure unused checks and equipment. ā€¢ Utilize security features on checks. ā€¢ Prohibit hand written checks. ā€¢ Require two signatures on checks over a certain amount. ā€¢ Segregate check preparation from signing. ā€¢ Immediately mail checks after signing. ā€¢ Establish positive pay controls with the bank. ā€¢ Complete independent bank reconciliations timely. ā€¢ Review checks issued to employees for irregularities. ā€¢ Segregate vendor approval from disbursement responsibilities. ā€¢ Perform periodic vendor master file maintenance and review for irregularities. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 73 Check Tampering Controls
  • 74. ā€¢ Segregate purchasing from accounting and receiving departments. ā€¢ Require management approval of purchase requisitions/orders. ā€¢ Maintain a master vendor file. ā€¢ Require competitive bids. ā€¢ 3 way match by accounting of vendor invoice, receiving report and purchase order. ā€¢ Periodically review master vendor file for unusual vendors and addresses. ā€¢ Implement automated controls to check for duplicate invoices and purchase orders. ā€¢ Verify vendors with post office boxes. ā€¢ Review voucher payments for proper documentation. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 74 Billing Controls
  • 75. ā€¢ Asset policy and procedure manual. ā€¢ Tag assets. ā€¢ Maintain asset, supply and inventory records. ā€¢ Conduct independent periodic inventories of assets, supplies and inventories. ā€¢ Reconcile the physical inventory to asset, supply and inventory records. ā€¢ Properly secure and safeguard assets, supplies and inventories. ā€¢ Implement an asset, supply and inventory removal policy. ā€¢ Store high value items in secure and continuously monitored areas. ā€¢ Secure organization, employee and customer data. ā€¢ Maintain secure information systems. ā€¢ Protect intellectual property, trade secrets, etc. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 75 Non-Cash Controls
  • 76. ā€¢ Maintain personnel records independent of payroll and timekeeping. ā€¢ Utilize electronic payroll deposit. ā€¢ Periodically review employee payroll list. ā€¢ Review paid time off for compliance with policy. ā€¢ Periodically compare payroll with personnel records. ā€¢ Issue pre-numbered payroll checks in sequential order. ā€¢ Payroll bank account reconciled by employee not involved in preparing, signing or distributing checks. ā€¢ Restrict access to payroll check stock and signature stamp. ā€¢ Periodically review payroll withholdings. ā€¢ Periodically review automatic payroll deposits for duplicates. ā€¢ Require salary changes require more than one level of approval. ā€¢ Require supervisor authorization of overtime. ā€¢ Require supervisors review and approve time. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 76 Payroll Controls
  • 77. ā€¢ Periodic analytical review of revenue. ā€¢ Periodic review of accounts receivable for write-offs. ā€¢ Periodic review of cash accounts for irregular entries. ā€¢ Segregate receipt of cash and checks from deposit and recording functions. ā€¢ Restrict cashier from accounts receivable and customer records. ā€¢ Immediately restrictively endorse all checks when received. ā€¢ Utilize a lockbox service for cash receipts. ā€¢ Maintain a safe with restricted access. ā€¢ Utilize cameras in cashier areas. ā€¢ Deposit cash and checks daily. ā€¢ Issue receipts for all transactions. ā€¢ Bond employees who handle cash. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 77 Skimming Controls
  • 78. ā€¢ Expense reimbursement policy. ā€¢ Require detailed expense reports. ā€¢ Supervisory review and approval of expense reimbursement claims. ā€¢ Place limits on expenses. ā€¢ Require original and detailed receipts. ā€¢ Detailed review of expense reimbursement claims. ā€¢ Credit/Procurement card policy with limits. ā€¢ Safeguards credit/procurement cards. ā€¢ Receive and review monthly automated statements from credit/procurement card companies. ā€¢ Require and review monthly detailed credit/procurement card reports from employees. ā€¢ Reconcile credit card statement to employee report. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 78 Expense Reimbursement Controls
  • 79. ā€¢ Independently reconcile cash register tape totals daily to the cash drawer. ā€¢ Limit and monitor access to cash draw and safe. ā€¢ Properly supervise cashiers. ā€¢ Utilize cameras in cashier areas. ā€¢ Segregate cash receipts, bank deposit, reconciliation, posting/accounting and cash disbursement duties. ā€¢ Periodic mandatory job rotation for employees who handle cash and accounting duties. ā€¢ Mandatory vacations. ā€¢ Surprise cash counts. ā€¢ Utilize point of sale system. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 79 Cash Larceny Controls
  • 80. ā€¢ Limit and monitor access: ā€“ Safe. ā€“ Cash handling areas. ā€“ Cash drawer. ā€“ Petty cash. ā€¢ Properly supervise cashiers. ā€¢ Utilize cameras in cash handling areas. ā€¢ Periodic mandatory job rotation for employees who handle cash and accounting duties. ā€¢ Mandatory vacations. ā€¢ Surprise cash counts. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 80 Cash On Hand Controls
  • 81. ā€¢ Management approval for refunds, voids, discounts. ā€¢ Review refunds, voids and discounts on a periodic basis. ā€¢ Require receipts to customers ā€“ post sign. ā€¢ Record disbursements out of the register and independently reconcile. ā€¢ Investigate missing or altered register tapes. ā€¢ Daily reconciliation of cash register drawer by independent person. ā€¢ Investigate over and short incidents. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 81 Cash Register Disbursement Controls
  • 82. ā€¢ Conflict of interest policy. ā€¢ Policy addressing employee receipt of gifts, discounts, and services offered by suppliers and customers. ā€¢ Established procurement/bidding process. ā€¢ Pre-Bid solicitation documents reviewed for restrictions on competition. ā€¢ Bid solicitation packages numbered and controlled. ā€¢ All bids kept confidential. ā€¢ Bidder qualifications verified. ā€¢ Contracts awarded based on predetermined criteria and documentation of criteria assessment and award decision maintained. ā€¢ Periodic review of purchases for: ā€“ Unreasonable costs. ā€“ Excessive purchases. ā€“ Favored vendors. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 82 Anti-Corruption Controls
  • 83. ā€¢ Proper segregation of duties in purchasing and accounts payable as well as sales and accounts receivable. ā€¢ Purchasing account assignments rotated. ā€¢ Periodic comparison of vendor information with employee information. ā€¢ Vendors who employ former employees under increased scrutiny. ā€¢ Reporting procedure for personnel and other vendors to report concerns about vendors receiving favored treatment. ā€¢ All employees required to complete annual disclosure document that includes potential conflicts resulting from business ownership and investment. ā€¢ Audit clause in each contract allowing Internal Audit access to audit contract records and documentation related to contract compliance and performance. ā€¢ Periodic contract audits conducted by Internal Audit. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 83 Anti-Corruption Controls
  • 84. ā€¢ Reduce situational pressures. ā€¢ Reduce the opportunity to commit fraud. ā€¢ Reduce the rationalization of fraud = strengthen employee personal integrity. ā€¢ Interviews. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 84 Financial Statement Controls
  • 85. ā€¢ Financial statement analysis ā€“ Vertical: analyze relationships between items on an income statement, balance sheet, or statement of cash flows by expressing components as a percentage of a base value. ā€“ Horizontal: analyze the percentage of change in individual financial statement line items from one period to the next. ā€“ Ratio: measuring the relationship between two different financial statement amounts. ā€¢ Current = Current Assets/Current Liabilities ā€¢ Quick = (Cash + Securities + Receivables)/Current Liabilities ā€¢ Accounts Receivable Turnover = Net Sales on Account/Average Net Receivables ā€¢ Collection = 365/Receivable Turnover ā€¢ Inventory Turnover = Cost of Goods Sold/Average Inventory ā€¢ Profit Margin = Net Income/Net Sales ā€¢ Asset Turnover = Net Sales/Average Assets Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 85 Financial Statement Controls
  • 86. Ā© 2016 All Rights Reserved Brown Smith Wallace LLP 86 Questions???? Ron Steinkamp, CPA, CIA, CFE, CRMA, CGMA Partner, Advisory Services Brown Smith Wallace LLP 314.983.1238 (Direct) rsteinkamp@bswllc.com www.bswllc.com