Big Data is becoming a resource in the fraud fighter’s arsenal as more companies are using data analytic software to look for anomalous patterns in internal data. This method has helped some companies monitor more data sources, cutting the time for detection and reducing the costs of fraud.

A recent post by Peter Goldmann of ACFE reports on the rate of adoption of data analytic technology, finding that the largest group is companies that have no data analysis program at all (almost 30%–see the bar graph). … Continue reading

Despite the wealth of well-publicized information about the high prevalence of organizational fraud and the high costs of fraud, it is always surprising to learn that so many companies operate without systematic fraud prevention programs, or fail to review their programs on a regular basis.

In fact, there are very important reasons fraud prevention is worth the effort. Here are some of them: … Continue reading

Preventing organizational fraud demands systematic planning and implementation. This entire process, from inception and assessment to performance evaluation is complex, even in smaller organizations. Yet, the payoff for the effort can be huge.

In this post, we offer an overview of the elements of a fraud prevention program that would be useful in any organization. Summarized from, Managing the Business Risk of Fraud: A Practical Guide, produced by a consortium of associations, the guidelines point to specific steps managers can take to implement an effective fraud prevention program. … Continue reading

All organizations are vulnerable to occupational fraud, and that fraud costs an enormous amount of money ($652 billion a year in the US according to ACFE research as summarized in this occupational fraud infographic).  As a result, a comprehensive fraud risk management policy is an essential component of an overarching enterprise risk management plan.

Your fraud risk management policy stems from the risk analysis that must underlie the policy.  That is, identifying the concrete organization-specific fraud risks that must be mitigated.

Systematic planning and implementation across these five basic areas will put your fraud risk management program on the path to success.

1. Identify a “risk owner” in your organization.

Upper management must be engaged in policies aimed to mitigate risk.  Part of this is that responsibility has to be clear – wishful groupthink won’t cut it.  With respect to fraud risks in particular, a member of upper management should be charged to organize and carry out the risk analysis, including how identified risks should be managed.  As with every important management function, this function will include process definition, goal setting, measurement, and reporting on a timely basis. … Continue reading