Course Information
Fraud Risk After COVID-19
Course Description
Fraudsters love chaos because it provides opportunity. The situation with COVID has upended normal processes and activities leaving everyone, business and individuals, more susceptible to fraud. The ACFE recently reported research has found more that more than 4,000 coronavirus related domains have been registered since January 2020. It is expected many of these will be used in phishing schemes. Changes in organizational processes and professional interactions will create opportunity for fraud.
This course will examine the most likely and anticipated fraud schemes to occur as a result of COVID and how to prevent and detect new and emerging fraud and fraud risk. It will look at the changes in pressure and opportunity for fraud as related to the significant changes being experienced.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
· What’s changed and why it will provide opportunity for fraud
· What auditors, accountants, fraud examiners should be looking at in their organizations
· What individuals should be concerned about personally
· Things we can all do post COVID-19 to fight fraud
The Most Anticipated Fraud Schemes Due to COVID
· Business Email Compromise
· Third-party Schemes
· Government Stimulus Programs
· Charity and Fundraising
· Phishing and Smshing
· Cyberbreaches
· Unemployment
Understanding the Change in Opportunity for Fraud
· Changes to processes and the control environment
· “Short-term” workarounds, exceptions and adaptations
· Reduced oversight and governance
· Changes in supply change, vendor processes
Understanding the Change in Pressure to Commit Fraud
· Change in professional and personal interactions
· Fear – financial, health, job security
· Unrealistic expectations and goals
Fraud Prevention, Detection and Deterrence after COVID
· Training
· Anti-fraud programs
· Updating policies, procedures
· Monitoring and reversing short-term exceptions and workarounds
Instructors
Mary Breslin is the Founder of Verracy Training & Consulting and specializes in Internal Audit transformations, Operational and Financial Auditing, Fraud Auditing & Investigations, and Corporate Accounting.
Ms. Breslin’s career spans over 20 years in Internal Auditing, Management and Accounting for companies such as ConocoPhillips, Barclays Capital, Costco Wholesale, Jefferson Wells and Boart Longyear. With significant International experience, she has managed audit programs in more than 50 countries. Most recently, Ms. Breslin held the title of Vice President and Chief Audit Executive where she transformed a checklist audit function into a value-add audit department which regularly delivered measurable business results through the use of risk-based auditing, data analytics, continuous education and skill development for her leadership team and staff.
Mary was an early adopter of analytics for audit and has been utilizing data analytics in her career in both audit and fraud work for over 15 years. She has transformed the capabilities of audit functions using data analytics programs using ACL, IDEA and Arbutus Analyzer. Through her expertise and guidance, she has helped large global organizations leverage analytics to significantly increase coverage, automate continuous auditing and monitoring, and actively fight fraud.
Additionally, Ms. Breslin has extensive Fraud Audit and Investigation experience and has conducted major fraud investigations on multiple continents including large scale federal cases domestically. She has developed and implemented fraud auditing programs in various industries focused on both accounting and operations.
Ms. Breslin attended Rutgers University and received her BS in accounting, and an MBA from the University of Phoenix while living and working overseas. She is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). She maintains memberships in the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), ISACA, the Society of Corporate Compliance (SCCE), and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and is currently an instructor and conference speaker for the IIA, The ACFE and ISACA.
Additional Information
TAC Rule 523.142(g) requires the CPE Sponsor to monitor individual attendance and assign the correct number of CPE credits. Participants will be asked to document their time of arrival and departure in compliance with this Rule. Additionally, attendance will be monitored throughout the day and CPE certificates will reflect actual attendance of each participant.
If you are making travel plans to come to Austin, we recommend making "refundable" air and hotel reservations or waiting until 14 days before the class to actually book your reservations. Courses are occasionally canceled or rescheduled due to low enrollment. We determine whether a course has enough participants 16 days prior to the course date. If we cancel or reschedule, we will email the participant and his or her billing contact no later than 14 days before the original class date.
The course coordinator will contact you with parking information. Handicapped parking is free at the meters around the downtown area.
Vending machines with Coca-Cola products and various snack items are available. There is also a refrigerator and microwave in our coffee bar area. Feel free to bring in your own drinks and food if you prefer.
You might want to bring a light sweater or jacket, as room temperatures vary.
To see answers to our Frequently Asked Questions, visit http://www.sao.texas.gov/training/faq.html.