Fraud examination is a specialized methodology for resolving allegations of wrongdoing. The author states that traditional auditing techniques are insufficient for uncovering fraud in business and government, and offers an alternative approach. Fraud examination consists of specialized knowledge from four fields: accounting and auditing, investigation, law, and criminology. Each of these fields are covered in detail as they relate to fraud and white-collar crime, thereby increasing the knowledge necessary to fight the ever-increasing fraud problem. The professional interested in uncovering or documenting fraud must not only know how to discover it in the books and records. He or she must know how to recognize fraud symptoms; how to obtain evidence, take statements and write reports; to testify to findings; and to assist in the prevention and detection of fraud.

According to most authorities, fraud in business and government is at an all-time high. The responsibilities of the auditor and accountant to detect and deter fraud and white-collar crime are increasing, and yet they catch few frauds before devastating losses occur. In the view of Joseph T. Wells, this is because accountants and auditors wrongfully assume fraud can be detected and prevented through traditional audit techniques. Instead, the author suggests that auditors, accountants, and loss prevention professionals must find a new approach. Fraud examination is defined as the skills necessary to resolve allegations of fraud from inception to disposition; to obtain evidence, take statements and write reports; to testify to findings; and to assist in the detection and prevention of fraud. Fraud examination consists of specialized knowledge from four fields: accounting and auditing, investigation, law, and criminology.

The book begins with a section on criminology, which explains the various theories of why some persons commit crimes and others do not. A special emphasis is given to the theories of the white-collar offender. The next section, law, gives the reader a broad knowledge of the courts, how they operate, and the various procedures for proving fraud matters. It also details the various criminal and civil statutes by which fraud offenders are punished. The third section, auditing, provides the reader with specific techniques to examine books and records for fraudulent activity. Net worth analysis, a methodology for proving ill-gotten gains, is explored in detail. The final section, investigation, provides techniques on how best to obtain information through interview methods. It also covers confidential sources of information, as well as writing reports in fraud-related cases. This book is specifically designed for the person who not only wants to know about fraud, but what to do with it in the event it is suspected.

Delve into the mind of a fraudster to beat them at their own game Corporate Fraud Handbook details the many forms of fraud to help you identify red flags and prevent fraud before it occurs. Written by the founder and chairman of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), this book provides indispensable guidance for auditors, examiners, managers, and criminal investigators: from asset misappropriation, to corruption, to financial statement fraud, the most common schemes are dissected to show you where to look and what to look for. This new fifth edition includes the all-new statistics from the ACFE 2016 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse, providing a current look at the impact of and trends in fraud. Real-world case studies submitted to the ACFE by actual fraud examiners show how different scenarios play out in practice, to help you build an effective anti-fraud program within your own organization. This systematic examination into the mind of a fraudster is backed by practical guidance for before, during, and after fraud has been committed; you'll learn how to stop various schemes in their tracks, where to find evidence, and how to quantify financial losses after the fact. Fraud continues to be a serious problem for businesses and government agencies, and can manifest in myriad ways. This book walks you through detection, prevention, and aftermath to help you shore up your defenses and effectively manage fraud risk. * Understand the most common fraud schemes and identify red flags * Learn from illustrative case studies submitted by anti-fraud professionals * Ensure compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley and other regulations * Develop and implement effective anti-fraud measures at multiple levels Fraud can be committed by anyone at any level employees, managers, owners, and executives and no organization is immune. Anti-fraud regulations are continually evolving, but the magnitude of fraud's impact has yet to be fully realized. Corporate Fraud Handbook provides exceptional coverage of schemes and effective defense to help you keep your organization secure.