...Anatomy of computer accounting frauds A. Seetharaman, M. Senthilvelmurugan and Rajan Periyanayagam Faculty of Management, Multimedia University, Malaysia Keywords Fraud, Corruption, Financial reporting, Whistleblowing, Internal control, Corporate governance Abstract This paper introduces fraud as asset misappropriations (85 per cent of cases), corruption and fraudulent statements. Symptoms include accounting anomalies, lack of internal control environment, lifestyle and behaviour. The most effective tools for fraud detection are internal audit review, specific investigation by management, and whistle-blowing. The paper details the fraud investigation process and the role of auditors as fraud examiners. The correlation of fraud perpetrators’ personality with the size of losses is examined. Personality is analysed into age, gender, position, educational background and collusion. A strong system of internal control is most effective in fraud prevention. Fraud prevention procedures, targeted goals and improvements to system weaknesses feature in the paper. Fraud impacts on accounting transactions in accounts receivable, receipts and disbursements, accounts payable, inventories and fixed assets, and financial reporting. The monetary impact resulting from fraud is analysed by the type of victim and the amount of loss. Internal control and good employment practices prevent fraud and mitigate loss. Computer accounting frauds 1055 Introduction Accounting fraud involves an intentional action...
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...Introduction This is a complex fraud and financial crime that has an element of collusion. The collusion is among individuals, Walt Palvo and his cohorts, within the organization. It is a fraud that involves a controller or sophisticated participant within the organization’s financial reporting structure. Palvo worked at MCI in the carrier’s financial unit and was one of a group of managers responsible for billing and collections for the carrier business segment. This is an organized crime and to a greater extent, a white collar crime, comprised of respected, business and professional men. These executive level individuals worked in concert (collusively) to override the system of internal controls through the sophisticated use of journal entries, other financial reporting choices and through material and unusual transactions. Due to the unique nature of this type of fraud, large dollars are involved and the damage can be devastating. 1. Discuss the internal control weaknesses that existed at MCI that contributed to the commission of this fraud. When complex fraud and financial crimes are involved, as in the case of MCI, the first thing that comes to mind is the internal control structure. This is the primary concern –that the internal controls are generally ineffective in preventing fraud and other financial crimes. MCI is not an exception. The internal control weaknesses that existed at MCI that contributed to the commission of this fraud can first of all be seen in the area...
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...Fraud Auditing and Different type of fraud Introduction Over the years, the role of auditors become increasingly important especially in a capitalist economy as the process of wealth creation and political stability depends heavily upon confidence in processes of accountability and how well the expected roles are being fulfilled. An auditor has the responsibility for the prevention, detection and reporting of fraud, other illegal acts and errors is one of the most controversial issues in auditing. The most frequently debated areas amongst auditors, politicians, media, regulators and the public is where the fraud is coming from and by whom. This disagreement has been especially tinted by the collapse of big corporations like Enron and WorldCom. The unforeseen fall of Enron and WorldCom traumatized the world as both of these companies received clean bills of health from their auditors immediately prior to their for bankruptcy. Type of fraud Fraud itself comprises a large variety of activities and includes bribery, political corruption, business and employee fraud, consumer theft; network hacking, bankruptcy and divorce fraud, and identity theft. Many find it helpful to separate between internal and external fraud. Internal fraud is usually found by internal auditors. In the Statement of Auditing Standards 99, it’s defines fraud as an intentional act that results in a material misstatement in financial statements. There are two types of fraud considered: misstatements arising...
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...Case 1: The Fraud Continues July 17, 2011 Abstract Focusing on the internal control weaknesses that existed at MCI, which contributed to the commission of Walt Pavlo’s famous multi-million dollar fraud. Discussing the approach that should have been taken if fraud was suspected and applying one theory related to crime causation of this case. As well as critiquing the ethical behavior of Pavlo and MCI – discussing what actions could have been taken to prevent the crime. 1. Discuss the internal control weaknesses that existed at MCI that contributed to the commission of this fraud. When we listen to Pavlo and outside sources, like ethics professor Stephen Henn in his book “Business Ethics,” we hear of employees concealing bad debt in Pavlo’s department. It seems that “unethical decisions were commonplace” (Henn 2009). We see an upper management that, when notified of large amounts of bad debt, completely denied any problem. Pavlo states, “I sent a memo to senior staff telling them that we had about $180 million of bad debt…. and asking how we were going to address it…The response was that the bad debt budget…was going to remain at $15 million and that we would just have to work through whatever issues we had.” (Jacka 2004) An ‘Internal Auditor” article from 2004 goes on to report that in one account “a customer who owed MCI US $100 million was allowed to sign a promissory note, which turned the receivable into a short-term asset.” These examples are perhaps the most...
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...accounting fraud in small business and narrowing the topic to two main factors that allow the fraud to take place. The presentation will be specifically informational in nature. Once I have finished my presentation, the audience will have a clear understanding of my central idea, which is why limited staff and family trust are reasons that small businesses are victims of accounting fraud. The ideal audience for my presentation would be a meeting of a small business alliance, chamber of commerce, entrepreneur club, and any other group or class that would benefit from learning about accounting fraud in small businesses. My topic would benefit a more specific group of people such as those that are interested in or work in the field of accounting or business. Since my intended audience are adults that are working in the field of accounting or business or have an interest in these fields; my topic is appropriate for the age range, interests and general knowledge of my audience. The importance of my presentation to the audience is significant since the individuals in the intended audience will be either working or interested in business or accounting and quite possibly be involved in a small business at some level. It will be important for them to know about the reasons small businesses are the most common victims of accounting fraud. Once informed about the reasons, they will be able to apply what they have learned from my presentation towards identifying possible fraud in the small...
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...Issues………………………………………………………………………………………………2 The Discovery of Fraud……………………………………………………………………..…..3-4 Corporate Governance of FCB……………………………………………………………………5 Auditor Dilemma……………………………………………………………………….……….5-7 Using the Fraud Triangle Model to analyze the situation in Flat Cargo Berhad……………..…8-9 Who is responsible in the fraud of Flat Cargo Berhad ……………………………………..…10-11 Prevention Measures for Fraud ……………………………………………………………….12-13 Detection Measures for Fraud…………………………………………………………...……14-15 Recommendation…………………………………………………………………….……….16-17 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………...……….18-19 References………………………………………………………………………………………..19 Introduction The case is related to one company known as Flat Cargo Berhad (FCB), FCB was one of the largest air freight companies in Malaysia which servicing several government linked companies including Freight Malaysia Berhad. FCB is a listed company and was registered as an investment holding company with several subsidiaries. Among its subsidiaries are FC Spare Sdn Bhd, Cargo Management Sdn Bhd, FCB (SPV) Ltd, Cargo Air Services Sdn Bhd and FC Air Ltd. FCB started its operations in 1997 with two aircrafts: a Boeing 737-200F and a Cessna Grand Caravan. FCB’s major shareholder in 1997 had been Bangor Berhad, which was part of a diversified international family owned conglomerate, the Miri Group. On September 2001 the company was listed in Bursa Malaysia. The main core business was to provide air freight transportation within the Asian...
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...to present the detailed findings of Kia Motors and the fraud that occurred in 2002 through a Balanced Scorecard (“BSC”), Document Flowchart Diagram (“DFD”), as well as the facts and role of the accountant, Cecile Campbell in the fraud committed on Kia Motors in 2002. The report consists of mainly three components. Firstly, a BSC that was developed using Kia Motors’ mission, vision and strategies that were identified and inferred from online research and Kia Motors’ financial statements and sustainability reports. Key information that was included in the BSC were Kia Motors’ performance and risk-based goals, initiatives, measures and their performance target. Secondly, a DFD was created to reflect one of Kia Motors’ key operations. The diagram that was drawn up was based on Kia Motors’ expenditure cycle. It showcased a detailed description of the relevant source documents involved, as well as their flow throughout the business process. The report further highlighted the key internal control strengths, the risk of material misstatements they serve to prevent as well as how the internal controls can be tested. The other thing that the report highlights is the control deficiencies within the business process and recommendations on internal controls that should be in placed to mitigate these deficiencies. Lastly, focus was placed on the Kia Motor’s accountant, Cecile Campbell and the scheme she used to perpetrate a fraud on Kia...
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...The Case of Kay Lemon Detect/Prevent Fraud in Financial Statements Professor K. Day Angela Born March 1, 2015 Case of Kay Lemon Lemon concealed her larceny by using the technique of false debits. These debits were made to the inventory account overvaluing the assets on the books. She used a billing scheme to cover her theft by inflating the amount of payment made to the vendor on the books. Per the books, the vendor was paid a larger amount than the actual invoiced amount and she was able to hide her theft. Her scheme was simple. However, as she continually debited the inventory account, the assets on the books increased year to year. The article stated the lighting store never took a physical inventory. Due to the lack of physical inventory, Lemon assumed she could hide her theft by inflating the inventory balance on the books. Each year, an external CPA prepared the tax returns each year for the small business. It is interesting that the CPA did not call attention to the increasing cost of goods sold compared to sales each year. A major read flag is a sudden increase in cost of goods sold and comparable sales to the year prior. Lemon was able to hide her fraud for eight years without being discovered despite numerous red flags. These red flags should have been readily seen by the CPA preparing the tax returns. The CPA never performed an audit of the company’s financials, but it would be assumed that the CPA would inform the company that their operating...
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...Case Study 1: And the Fraud Continues Forensic Accounting July 22, 2012 Abstract This case represents features of organized crime, occupational fraud and abuse. Most of these crimes involve many individuals and organizations as well as management and/or co-workers that are in a lot of social and financial pressures. Some of the crimes related with organize crime will be money laundering, mail and wire fraud, conspiracy and racketeering. With an internal control weakness employees would always look for opportunities to commit fraud or use company assets without permission. Within this case, we will see multiples internal control weaknesses that allowed Pavlo to perpetrate the fraud and how he used the tricks to mask the whole scam. We also are going to think on what was Wanserski position when Pavlo was performing the fraud. We will explore the investigation process and what type of procedures the auditor/investigator needs to follow in order to gather all the evidence. We will have the opportunity as readers to determine if MCI also had a fault by permitting or putting the pressure on his employees to comply with some guidelines instead of looking for ways to help employees to improve their work areas. Internal control is the method intended to ensure dependable financial reporting, effective and efficient department operations, and business compliance with related laws and regulations. Not having an effective internal control process will allow fraudsters like...
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...INTERNAL CONTROLS AND FRAUD PREVENTION IN NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WRITTEN BY DAVID SANNI Designed to provide information on key areas that can strengthen the internal control system of VI-MID-ISLAND SERVICE (VIMS) Submitted To VANESSA OLTMAN Faculty of Management Vancouver Island University Nanaimo, BC, Canada (Nov/15/2012) Table of Content 1.0 INTRODUCTION 3 2.0 NATURE OF FRAUD IN CANADIAN NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION 3 2.1 TYPE OF FRAUD IN NON PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS 3 2.2 PERPETRATORS OF FRAUD IN NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION 4 2.3 IMPACT OF FRAUD TO NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION 4 3.0 COMPREHENSIVE APROACHE TO REDUCE FRAUD 5 3.1 UNDERSTANDING INTERNAL CONTROL 5 3.2 BENEFIT OF INTERNAL CONTROL 5 3.3 LIMITATIONS OF INTERNAL CONTROL 6 3.4 CONTROL MEARSURES IN PREVENTING FRAUD 6 3.5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION……………………….………………….8 4.0 REFERENCE…… ……………………………………………………………9 1.0 INTRODUCTION The Canadian non profit sector has one of the largest populations in the world, accounting for over 7% GDP and creating 2 million full time jobs for Canadians. Further discoveries was made that 78% Canadians donates money to non profit Organization irrespective of all walks of life and income bracket. These donations are received to address core issues...
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...INTRODUCTION Internal control, the strength of every organization, has become of paramount importance today in Nigerian banks. The reason being that the control systems in any organization is a pillar for an efficient accounting system. The need for the internal control systems in the organizations, especially banks, cannot be undermined, due to the fact that the banking sector, which has a crucial role to play in the economic development of a nation is now being characterized by macro economic instability, slow growth in real economic activities, corruption and the risk of fraud. Fraud, which is the major reason for setting up on internal control system, has become a great pain in the neck of many Nigerian bank managers. It has also become an unfortunate staple in Nigeria’s international reputation. Fraud is really eating deep into the Nigerian banking system and that any bank with a weak internal control system, is dangerously exposed to bank fraud. The CBN reported that cases of attempted fraud and forgery in banks, as at half-year 2007 have surpassed what was recorded for the whole year 2006. The CBN half-year report for 2007, revealed a total of 741 cases of attempted fraud and forgery, involving 5.4 billion, $35,406.1, 150 Euros were reported as at June, 2007. In 2006, 1,193 cases were reported involving 4.6 billion, $1.8 million and 14,389.7 pound sterling. The CBN also reported that the backward development was attributable to weaknesses in the internal control systems...
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...FORENCIS ACCOUNTING | Case Study 1: And the Fraud Continues | SOLIAT KOSOKO | | Professor: Dr. Timothy Franklin Deleanor Brown | 1/20/2013 | Introduction This case demonstrates organized crime, occupational fraud and abuse. This crime is commonly seen among individuals and organizations that are in a lot of social and financial pressures. Some of the crimes involve organize crime are money laundering, mail and wire fraud, conspiracy and racketeering. Any organization that has weak or no internal control gives employees the opportunities to commit fraud or use company assets without permission. In this case there were multiple internal control weaknesses that allowed Pavlo to carry out the fraud and the different tricks he used to cover the whole scam. In this paper I would be discussing the internal control weaknesses that existed at MCI and contributed to the commission of this fraud, identifying and justifying the approach I would take if I suspected fraudulent activity within an organization, the ethical nature of Pavlo’s actions in this case and the theory related to crime causation to this case. Discuss the internal control weaknesses that existed at MCI that contributed to the commission of this fraud. Internal Controls is an integral part of any organization's financial and business policies and procedures. Internal controls consists of all the measures taken by the organization for the purpose of protecting its resources against waste, fraud, and inefficiency; ...
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...Non-For-Profit Fraud Authors’ Note This paper was prepared for Advanced Accounting, Summer 2013. OUTLINE 1. Introduction 2. The Reasons of Fraud in Nonprofits. 3. Types of Nonprofit Fraud. 4. Recent Fraud Cases: A. $1,000,000 Charity Scam by John Cody. B. ASPCA International and $27,000,000 Fraud. C. Fraud Committed by Anita Collins, Church Bookkeeper. D. Fraud Committed by Hugh Blackburn. 5. Fraud Prevention in Nonprofit Organizations. 6. Conclusion. Introduction. Most of us are familiar with the organization ASPCA (American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and some of us even donate or consider donating money or time. But not many of us know that only 5 cents of every dollar collected by ASPCA goes actually towards the organization’s primary goal, which is helping animals. Just a few months ago a disaster hit NYC and the areas around. It is hard to believe but it gave great opportunity for fraud. Consider the case of the couple John Sandberg and Christina Terrassino, who launched a charity website, The Hurricane Sandy Relief Foundation. According to DCA (Division of Consumer Affairs), they have solicited more than $600,000 from about 2,000 donors. However, less than 1 percent of the money was given to the victims of the hurricane (Rose, 2013). Beside, consider the case of Anita Collins, a 67-year old church bookkeeper. She is known for stealing approximately $1,000,000 from the church she worked in (Huffington...
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...4 | Page No.: 181-189 | | Impact of Internal Control System in Banking Sector in Nigeria | | Olaoye Clement Olatunji | | Abstract: The Central Bank of Nigeria reported that the backward development in Nigeria was attributable to weaknesses in the internal control systems of the banks. This has clearly pointed out the picture of how fraud has been penetrated in the financial strength of Nigerian Banks. In a nut-shell, the damage which this menace, called fraud has done to the banks is innumerable and needs urgent attention. Therefore, the attempt to put an end to this economic degradation, gave rise to the topic of this research study the impact of internal control in the banking sector in Nigeria with Wema Bank of Nigeria PLC as a case study. However, this study is aimed at verifying the conception that an effective and efficient internal control system is the best control measure for preventing and detecting fraud, especially in the banking sector. Data captured for this study, were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The descriptive analysis involves the use of percentages, tabulation and graphical presentation. While the inferential statistical method involved the use of the chi-square. The functions of fraud prevention, detection and control are interwoven, as the three works together to eliminate fraud and fraudulent tendencies. Therefore, internal control is highly significant in fraud detection and preventions in banking sector...
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...Case #3.4 – Sunbeam – Incentives and Pressure to Commit Fraud I. Technical Audit Guidance To maximize the knowledge acquired by students, this book has been designed to be read in conjunction with the post-Sarbanes-Oxley technical audit guidance. All of the post-Sarbanes-Oxley technical guidance is available for free at http://www.pcaobus.org/Standards/index.aspx. In addition, a summary of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is also available for free at http://thecaq.aicpa.org/Resources/Sarbanes+Oxley/Sarbanes-Oxley+–+The+Basics.htm. II. Recommended Technical Knowledge PCAOB Auditing Standard No. 5 Paragraph #9 Paragraph #11 Paragraphs #29-30 Paragraph #32 Paragraph #A8 (in Appendix A) III. Classroom Hints This case provides students with an opportunity to apply their technical knowledge about inherent risk and fraud risk to Sunbeam's business model during the 1990's. By providing details about Sunbeam business during this time, students are able to see the relationship between an audit client's business strategy and inherent risk assessment at the financial statement assertion level. In addition, this case provides students with an opportunity to think about fraud risk assessment during times of significant change at an audit client. To meet these objectives, this case illuminates a number of relevant issues about the development of Sunbeam. In particular, the case focuses on the changes that occurred at Sunbeam after hiring Albert J. Dunlap as...
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