Factors that Contribute to Fraud
After presenting the results of a study by Certified
Fraud Examiners (CFE), your book discusses the
types of forces which can interact to inspire an
otherwise responsible person to commit fraud:
situational pressures, availability of opportunity,
personal characteristics. Read this material carefully.
Another approach to explaining fraud lists three
conditions:
1. necessary skills,
2. opportunity, and
3. a non-shareable problem.
Prevention of fraud by external auditors is very
difficult. Detection can occur if certain questions are
asked. See the discussion in the text.
B. Financial Losses from Fraud
Much information is reported from a 2002 study by
the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. First is
a discussion of the magnitude of losses. The
following sections describes the characteristics of
perpetrators.
C. The Perpetrators of Frauds
This section will be an eye-opener. Read carefully the
narrative that accompanies Tables 3-2 to 3-7, on
pages 129-131. In particular, consider the issues of
gender, position, age, education, and collusion.
D. Fraud Schemes
The discussion of types of fraud is organized
following the CFE categories: fraudulent statements,
corruption, and asset misappropriation. Many
examples are given. Regard this material as an eye
opener – not a “how to” chapter!
The issue of fraudulent statements should be very
familiar, given the recent notoriety of Enron,
WorldCom, and Adelphia. Four issue are key: lack of
auditor independence, lack of director independence,
questionable executive compensation schemes, and
inappropriate accounting practices. This leads to an
excellent discussion of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
passed in July 2002.