A86041 Forensic Accounting

Scuola di Economia e Management
Syllabus
Academic Year 2016/17 Second Semester

Learning Objectives

At the end of the course the student will be able to:
a)    Evaluate risks of fraud or situations more likely to result in fraudulent activity within an organization, identify and rank Fraud Risk Factors.
b)    Describe the components of the control environment, risk assessment and control activities, implement and review internal accounting controls, understanding why they are important in preventing fraud, and how the lack of such controls create an atmosphere conducive to fraud.
c)    Use some important and common evaluative methods used in fraud investigation to assess whether there is a heightened likelihood of fraud.
d)    Survey financial ratios and other tools for financial statement analysis in searching for financial statement irregularities, demonstrate an understanding of how money-laundering schemes are used to hide the proceeds of criminal activity and to finance terrorist activities, identify and describe procedures and methods used in tracing assets.
e)    Describe the various dispute resolution alternatives available to resolve disputes.
f)    Apply the knowledge, tools and methods of fraud detection to a practical case.  
 

Learning targets

At the end of the course the student will be able to:
a)    Identify particular areas where fraud commonly occurs, learning specific fraud detection methods for those situations and the symptoms of fraud in various schemes.  
b)    Understand how computers are used to commit fraud or to detect fraud.
c)    Understand the nature of fraud prosecutions, the legal process for fraud prosecutions, how to maintain and safeguard evidence for prosecution and recognize concerns in the collection and presentation of the evidence.
d)    Understand the nature of fraud examination and the interviewing process in gathering and evaluating evidence.
e)    Compare, assess and recognize the roles of persons or groups involved in fraud investigation, fraud prevention, anti-fraud policy development, and fraud prosecution. 

Course Content

Forensic Accounting has been developed specifically to equip accountants, attorneys, and financial managers with the skills they need to uncover financial fraud.
As one of the fastest growing areas of accounting, "Forensic" means legal and investigative. Hence the program focuses on fraud investigation and prevention, dispute resolution, litigation support, business valuation and quantification of damages, expert testimony and money-laundering and other criminal investigations.
This course therefore aims to provide a progressive, challenging and stimulating framework of study giving a comprehensive range of skills covering the three core areas of forensic accounting:
-    fraud examination
-    expert witnessing
-    litigation support
through the application of professional forensic accounting tools, models, techniques and knowledge.
The course will allow to develop accounting skills for use in litigation - civil, criminal and corporate (including business valuation, assessment of economic damages, proceeds of crime, fraud and money laundering).
Alongside processes and procedures and through an extensive use of case studies, students will learn how to investigate a case, gather evidence, prepare expert reports and provide evidence.

 

Course Delivery

This course will use a variety of teaching methods including lectures, readings, PowerPoint presentations, case studies and statement analysis. There will be a number of guest speakers who will share their on field experience and knowledge.
Lectures are held throughout the entire semester. Students are responsible for learning the material before coming to class and for providing a meaningful contribution to the discussion led by the instructor. It means to be able to provide accurate and sensible answers and comments whenever personally quizzed by the instructor (it will happen several time during each lecture) and to contribute new and original ideas.
While the content has been designed for an international audience, a light tilt towards the Italian regulatory setting as designed by laws, exchange norms, authority rules and self regulation may still be present.
Students are responsible for consulting on a regular basis the website of the course on “http://my.liuc.it”  where updates, additional material and slides about the course are posted. No excuse accepted for any failure during the course students may incur into due to a delayed consultation of the website.
Students are expected to participate actively in class discussions and activities, so they should make every effort to attend all the classes. If a student must miss any class for any reason, a brief e-mail to inform the instructors would be appreciated. Since the class meets once a week, it is important that students don’t miss any class.
Excessive absences will result in a reduction in the points awarded for “Class Participation”.
 

Course Evaluation

For students attending classes, grade is based on class participation (20%) and two written tests (40% mid term test / 40% end term test). Sufficiency in both test is required to pass the exam.
All other students should pass a written exam.
 

Syllabus

Session 1
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: S. Tedesco

Topics:

•    Introduction to forensic accounting
•    Fraud investigation basics:
overview of the methods used to detect and prevent fraud, and of the different roles of anti-fraud professionals
 

Readings:

•    Teaching material on the course website

Session 2
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: S. Tedesco

Topics:

•    Fraud and the business environment:
basic accounting practices, the roles of various organizational groups that work together to combat fraud in the workplace, fraud rich environments
 

Readings:

•    Teaching material on the course website

Session 3
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: S. Tedesco

Topics:

•    Money laundering and asset tracing:
international controls and regulations designed to combat money laundering; recent developments and trends, various methods of tracing assets, also across international boundaries
 

Readings:

•    Teaching material on the course website

Session 4
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: A. Peronace

Topics:

•    Legal aspects of fraud:
rules of evidence, the impact of privacy legislation on the fraud examiner, and the rights of the accused, and the legal ramifications of fraud investigations
 

Readings:

•    Teaching material on the course website

Session 5
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: S. Tedesco

Topics:

•    Fraud investigation – advanced:
identify fraud schemes; document, control and manage evidence. How to reconstruct income, identify and use sources of information. Analysis of procurement, bankruptcy, financial institution and other recurrent fraud schemes.
 

Readings:

•    Teaching material on the course website

Session 6
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: S. Tedesco

Topics:

•    Fraud investigation – advanced:
identifying fraud schemes, continued; anatomy of a fraud investigation.
 

Readings:

•    Teaching material on the course website

Session 7
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: A. Peronace

Topics:

•    Employment issues, business valuation and quantification of damages:
applying key concepts to forensic investigations and fraud cases
 

Readings:

•    Teaching material on the course website

Session 8
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: S. Tedesco

Topics:

•    Review session / Midterm test

Readings:

NONE

Session 9
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: S. Tedesco

Topics:

•    Fraud prevention and detection:
prevention through effective internal control. The roles and responsibilities of corporate Boards of Directors and management in directing effective anti-fraud programs. Recent legislation such as the Italian legislative decree 231/2001.
 

Readings:

•    Teaching material on the course website

Session 10
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: S. Tedesco

Topics:

•    Fraud prevention and detection:
enterprise risk management and the internal control environment, ethics, and professional standards. Proactive and reactive approach to fraud risk.
 

Readings:

•    Teaching material on the course website

Session 11
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: S. Tedesco

Topics:

•    Computer forensics and data mining:
the value of computers in conducting forensic investigations. Computer applications that will enhance the ability to identify unusual transactions and other irregularities. Analysis techniques, document management and retention systems
 

Readings:

•    Teaching material on the course website

Session 12
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: S. Tedesco

Topics:

•    Litigation support:
shareholder disputes, breach of contract, negligence, tort and divorce. Research techniques, financial modeling, taxation issues, and loss quantification under various scenarios. Fundamentals of arbitration and mediation methods of alternative dispute resolution
 

Readings:

•    Teaching material on the course website

Session 13
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: S. Tedesco

Topics:

•    Financial statement fraud:
methods of identifying misstatements of revenue, concealed liabilities and expenses and similar improper disclosures. Asset valuation and inventory losses
 

Readings:

•    Teaching material on the course website

Session 14
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: S. Tedesco

Topics:

•    Serving as an Expert Witness / Communication:
presentation of  evidence to the Courts in an expert report. The common pitfalls of testifying. How to critique opposing expert reports
 

Readings:

•    Teaching material on the course website

Session 15
Hours of lesson: 3
Instructor: S. Tedesco

Topics:

•    Catch up, review, Q&A / Final test

Readings:

NONE


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