...Forensic accounting is the specialty practice area of accountancy that describes engagements that result from actual or anticipated disputes or litigation. "Forensic" means "suitable for use in a court of law", and it is to that standard and potential outcome that forensic accountants generally have to work. Forensic accountants, also referred to as forensic auditors or investigative auditors, often have to give expert evidence at the eventual trial. There are several organizations worldwide that provide continuing education and certification for forensic accountants. There has been a growing need for this specialized field with recent company scandals that have occurred. Forensic accountants utilize an understanding of business information and financial reporting systems, accounting and auditing standards and procedures, evidence gathering and investigative techniques, and litigation processes and procedures to perform their work. The main goal of their engagements is to provide the answers to the how, where, what, why, and who committed the alleged allegations. They will use the same basic procedures for obtaining evidence of the crimes that they investigate. They will examine records and interview suspects to determine the answers to these questions. Forensic accountants are also increasingly playing more proactive risk reduction roles by designing and performing extended procedures as part of the statutory audit, acting as advisers to audit committees, fraud deterrence...
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...Running head: THE FORENSIC ACCOUNTANT FORENSIC ACCOUNTING IN PRACTICE Tanon Patrick Contemporary Business - BUS 508 Dr. Ronnie A. Jones December 20, 2013 Abstract Accounting is the systematic process of identifying, recording, measuring, classifying, verifying, summarizing, interpreting and communicating financial information. It reveals profit or loss for a given period, and the value and nature of a firm's assets, liabilities and owners' equity (Business Dicitionary.com). Accountants take a vow to ensure the accuracy of all financial records for the company they work for. When a company suspects fraudulent activity they often call in a forensic accountant to help with the investigation. The forensic accountant has the skills to investigate what happened, to measure damages, and to provide litigation support to corporate and outside counsel (Flexstudy.com). FORENSIC ACCOUNTING IN PRACTICE Determine the most important five (5) skills that a forensic accountant needs to possess and evaluate the need for each skill. This paper will give some incite on the different levels of responsibility and skills that the forensic accountant must have to provide quality service. “Accounting professionals work in a variety of areas in and for business firms, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations. They can be classified as public, management, government, and not-for-profit accountants” (L.E. Boone...
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...Forensic Accounting Practice Bradford Clark Professor Dr. Hanners Lithonia Campus BUS 508 – Contemporary Business March 1, 2012 Strayer University Determine the most important five (5) skills that a forensic accountant needs to possess and evaluate the need for each skill. Be sure to include discussion regarding the relationship between the skill and its application to business operations. A forensic accountant is a specialist in accounting and financial systems that is trained to detect white collar fraud. Forensic Accounting is a fast growing field in the in the field of accounting. Although it has been around for a long time, it has become increasingly popular in the past few years as there have been a number of corporate scandals, stricter reporting, and internal control regulations involving public awareness and importance in the business world. With the state of the world’s economy forensic accountants are in high demand. Forensic accountants should at least possess a Bachelor degree in accounting. They should also be a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and may possess other certifications such as Certified Forensic Accountant (CrFA) and Certified Forensic Accounting Professional (CFAP). The skills needed to become a forensic accountant include strategic critical thinking, problem solving/decision making, leadership, interpersonal and communication skills, and professional and ethical behavior. Strategic critical thinking is the ability to link data, knowledge...
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...Using Teams in Production and Operations Management: Forensic Accountants: Fraud Busters. By: For: Class: Bus 508: Contemporary Business Date: 13 November 2012 Abstract: A case study for the Strayer University, Woodbridge, VA, Business 508 class, this paper provides for a brief review of 1) The skills that a forensic accountant requires; 2) The role of the forensic accountant in the courtroom; 3) The legal responsibilities of the forensic accountant; and lastly, 4) The role of the forensic accountant in a couple of major accounting fraud scandals. The world of Accounting has seen several major scandals since the early 1990s. These include major accounting failures such as Enron, WorldCom, Adelphia, Tyco, Phar-Mor, Cendant, Computer Associates, AOL, Freddie Mac, ImClone, Qwest Communications, Royal Ahold, Health South Corporation, AIG, Lehman Brothers, and most recently the Olympus Corporation. Some of these have resulted in the collapse and dissolution of the company – Enron, Adelphia; others have resulted in a major restructuring of the company – AOL, AIG, Freddie Mac. Whatever the result, they have all been caused by accounting fraud – either “cooking the books” to hide major losses or to hide the theft of funds. It has also resulted in the failure and absorption of the one of the Big Five Accounting firms – Arthur Anderson. Besides the whistle blower who brought most of these to public view and the lawyers who have been involved their dismantling...
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...Journal of Forensic & Investigative Accounting Vol. 4, Issue 2, 2012 The Obvious Fraud: A Short, Problem-Based Case Study to Highlight Inappropriate Fraud Examination Techniques David O’Bryan Jeffrey J. Quirin* INTRODUCTION Assume you are an internal auditor for a large, multinational, manufacturing organization with a division in Mexico. One of your responsibilities is to investigate allegations made on the company’s fraud hotline. When you arrive at work one morning you learn an anonymous tip was left on the hotline that alleges fraud involving the division manager. “Pat’s significant other is a fraudulent vendor,” was the anonymous tip left on your company’s fraud hotline. Pat is a division manager at your company. “Wow. I can’t believe this guy is so blatant,” you’re thinking as you review some accounts payable invoices while following up on this anonymous tip. The invoice that caught your attention is shown in Table 1. A quick search of the AP file reveals a total of three invoices like the one in Table 1, all for identical amounts but on different dates. The division manager, Pat, has the authority to approve payment of invoices for less than $10,000. It is obvious to you that the manager has a created a shell company. You happen to know that Pat’s significant other is named Kim, hence the name Kimco Marketing. There is no documentation to support these transactions other than the invoices, all of which are purportedly for marketing services. * The authors are, respectively...
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...Assignment #3 Forensic Accounting in Practice Professor Demetrius Carolina, Sr. Bus 508-Contemporary Business February 16, 2013 The purpose of my paper is to explore Forensic Accounting and the many aspects surrounding the field. I will determine the skills necessary to be a forensic accountant and its application to business operations. I will also describe the role the forensic accountant plays in a courtroom environment and the role played by the forensic accountant in the litigation process. I will also provide case examples where forensic accountants are used and have provided vital evidence in the case. Today, forensic accounting is a rapidly growing segment of the accounting practice, and the current demand for forensic accountants far outstrips the current supply. Determine the most important five (5) skills that a forensic accountant needs to possess and evaluate the need for each skill. Be sure to include discussion regarding the relationship between the skill and its application to business operations. Have you ever been cheated, robbed or financially hurt by actions of others? Well, out of those feelings civil lawsuits arise based on the desire to reclaim what one perceives he/she has lost unjustly. Financial loss isn’t always easy to define or measure. So, the important task of investigating and quantifying the financial loss normally requires the expertise of a forensic accountant. A forensic accountant is a professional who uses a unique...
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...Forensic Accounting in Practice Twana Bethea BUS 508 May 21, 2013 Dr. Phyllis Praise Abstract Forensic Accounting is the application of the skills and training of a chartered accountant to disputes and investigations. Fraud is usually hidden in the accounting systems of organizations and that’s where forensic accountants play a critical role. Forensic accountants are contacted by companies when they need to figure out where a fraud was committed in their company. The accountants interview witnesses, analyze evidence such as email traffic between all parties involved. They will also freeze bank accounts if needed. They are hired to find out what happen and who was involved. If the case goes to trial they can be called to testify. The key skill of the forensic accountant is communicating complex financial transaction or data in a concise manner using images, graphs and languages that can be easily understood by non-accountants, the judiciary, and juries. With the growing complexity of business related investigations, Forensic Accounting professionals are increasing and the need is as well for investigations of business and financial issues. Forensic Accounting Practices Forensic Accounting has been in exist for many years, today there have been an increase in the need for this type of profession. Forensic accounting is the practice of integration of accounting, auditing and investigative skills. The accountings provide a court with an accounting analysis on the basis...
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...Forensic Accounting in Practice: Forensic Accountants: Fraud Busters A forensic accountant is part investigator, part auditor, part attorney, and part accountant (Levanti, T.). Due to the increase in high-profile cases of companies and individuals, forensic accounting is a growing and popular field in the business and forensic subjects. A forensic accountant is someone who is often retained to analyze, interpret, summarize, interviews and present complex financial and business related issues in a manner that is both understandable and properly supported (Zysman, A.). Forensic accountants usually work in a public practice or are employed by insurance companies, banks, police or government agencies. They are to investigate and analyze any financial evidence, communicate their findings in reports or documents and assist in legal proceedings, such as testifying in court as an expert witness (Zysman, A.). Determine the most important five (5) skills that a forensic accountant needs to possess and evaluate the need for each skill. Be sure to include discussion regarding the relationship between the skill and its application to business operations. I think the five most important skills that a forensic accountant needs to posses are to be: (1) analytical, (2) detail-oriented, (3) ethical, (4) responsive, and (5) insightful (Davis, Farrell & Ogilby). Analytical The need to be analytical in a forensic accounting engagement may be the most important overall characteristic, without...
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...Forensic Accounting In Practice Herbert Lee | Bus 508 Professor Badger Fardanesh 1. May 16, 2013 Forensic Accounting Defined According to Crumbley (2009)“ Forensic Accounting” is reducing the complexity of accounting practices by distilling information and slicing away at deceptions to help a judge or jury to see the essence of financial disputes. It is a practice that goes beyond auditing and analyzing accounting information. With accounting practice and standards at its core Forensic accounting goes above and beyond what the auditor does. Crumbley (2009) contends that a forensic accountant may take on fraud auditing engagements but will use other accounting, consulting and legal skills to broaden their engagements. The discipline of forensic accounting is being utilized not only in a courtroom setting but also in public discussions, debates, civil matters like divorces, insurance companies, banks and the business community at large. From a general perspective forensic accounting focuses on digging into the final accounts but will follow a lead into records of original entries. These accountants cover the areas of litigation support and investigative accounting. They are seeking out the cause and effect and according to the article FTB Tax Services (2011) it states that the primary orientation of forensic accounting is the explanatory analysis of phenomena- including possibly the discovery of deception, and its effect- introduced into an accounting system domain...
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...different industries. With the need for Accountants on the rise, several industries have accounting positions that need to be filled. The two industries that I researched were Criminal Justice and Environment. The first industry that I researched was Criminal Justice. This industry interested me because I watch TV shows and movies that are all about catching criminals. Looking for suspicious transactions of a criminal to help police catch the individual would also be very interesting. The main job title that an Accountant could hold in this industry is a Forensic Accountant. One job duty that a Forensic Accountant would have to do is search through financial reports, bank statements,...
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...dealing and murder take the first seat on America’s top crime list, one is gaining awareness at an increasing rate-white collar crime. Enter in Forensic Accounting. Thanks to popular TV shows like CSI, Bones and Criminal Minds, when people hear the term “forensic” they often think of the forensics that’s involved in the investigations of crime scenes. While that is true, forensic really refers to any investigation methods or techniques that produce results that a court of law will accept as evidence. That is why forensic accounting is a great career option. According to Kreuter (2017), “Forensic accounting is essentially litigation support involving accounting” (p. 6-8). Forensic accountants use their accounting skills to examine financial information and documents for use in legal cases to investigate fraud or embezzlement. The job requires technical skills in accounting, both investigative and legal. Forensic accounting is important because it represents the only truthful approach to gaining a deeper understanding on what exactly is going on behind the scenes of a business’s finances. There are four main types of forensic accounting services. The first and most popular is criminal investigation services. A lot of people would assume that the auditor would perform fraud or criminal investigations, but...
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...Careers Microcomputer Accounting II April 8, 2011 Find Out About Yourself I took the Career Interest Game. The three categories I selected were Conventional, Realistic, and Investigative which makes me CRI. My first choice was the Conventional otherwise known as “The Organizers.” I can relate to most of the list under the “Are You?” category. I am well organized, accurate, and efficient in most everything I set out to accomplish. I like things to be structured and organized. I always try to be polite but yet persistent in every task I pursue. I am practical and orderly and I like working with numbers. The methodical, thrifty and ambitious are probably the ones I do not agree pertain to me as a person. I agree with everything listed under the “Can You?” category since I do work with a lot of paperwork in a short period of time. My current position requires me to constantly work on a computer terminal and keep accurate records. I am also required to write business correspondence often and work in a team setting as well as individually. My job requires me to follow certain procedures and pay attention to detail. There is also a great deal of typing and data entry involved in my daily tasks. I also have to collect information and organize it in a specific manner. My work revolves around numbers and currency figures. The only thing on the list that I do not agree with is shorthand; I never took a class for it nor have I ever used it. Under the Conventional category...
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...Forensic Accounting in Practice Brittany Baskin Dr. John Theodore Contemporary Business November 18, 2012 When you think of the term forensics, what comes to mind? For younger readers CSI probably rings a bell, while the elder crowd would probably think of Quincy. Both TV shows glorified the acts of forensics in a medical sense. But a lesser-known form of forensics has been growing in use around the world. In light of recent accounting scandals throughout the world, investors and regulators have searched for various different methods to improve the safety of investors through more diligent accounting reporting practices. Until recently, detecting fraud was thought to be a part of the responsibility of the accountant. Fraud was something the internal or external auditors were expected to guard against by their periodic audits. We now know that auditors can only check for compliance of a company’s books to the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAPs) and to company policy; therefore, a new category of accounting had to be established, one which revealed the fraud for companies with suspected fraudulent transactions. This new area of accounting is known as forensic accounting. To fully understand the definition of forensic accounting, we can use parts of the definition of forensic medicine and accounting, both taken from Webster’s Dictionary, to produce a clear definition. Forensic medicine is a “science that deals with the relation and application...
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...There are fraudulent accounting procedures taking place in many businesses all across the world, and many companies have been going a number of years covering up the real financial value of their company. Forensic accountants are becoming much needed as accounting frauds, financial scams, and various economic scandals are beginning to increase globally. This type of accountant does more than the typical accountant of a business or corporation, because their objective is to investigate fraudulent activities being used in the accounting departments of these companies. The amount of fraud being used by companies globally is most likely going to increase in the future as technology is evolving and scammers are getting more creative. This will also lead to a gradual decrease in the investment rates in companies, because the risks of investing in a corrupt business world will outweigh the benefits. Potential investors in companies using creative accounting techniques will increasingly become more at risk if there is no exponential growth in the field of investigative accounting. Accounting scams are becoming a part of the normal occurrence of day to day activities as this type of fraudulent activity is frequently gaining exposure in the daily news worldwide. As owners and managers conceal the financial state of their companies by manipulating their financial statements, the reliability and trust of these statements by investors are decreasing. Illegal accounting procedures are not being...
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...Assignment 1: Careers in Accounting Isaac I. Huff Strayer University Assignment 1: Careers in Accounting When it comes to pursuing a career in the accounting field, there are many options. According to AccountingEDU.org there are four primary fields in the arena of accounting. Public accounting, Management accounting, Governmental accounting, and internal auditing are the primary fields with many sub-fields that can be entered into. Accounting, of all types, is a constant demand field. A brief search with the term “accountant” yielded over 500 results on USAJobs.gov alone. Two of the accounting fields that interest me most are Forensic Accounting, and Tax Accounting. These two areas appear to be the most involved and ever changing areas in accounting. A Tax accountant is accountable for the collection of tax-related information, reporting to taxation authorities at the federal, state, county, and local levels in a timely manner, and advising management on the tax impact of various corporate strategies. And a Forensic Accounting is the examination of financial records that will lead to or result from litigation. The results of a forensic accounting investigation can be used as evidence in court, and so are usually heavily documented. With the ever-changing US tax code and the increased scrutiny that business is beginning to face, due to things like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, these two areas can be the difference between jail and smooth operation. Forensic Accounting is a field that...
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