Performing Anti-Fraud Audits in Purchasing and Accounts Payable

The Purchasing and Accounts Payable cycles create a multitude of data that can be analyzed and tested for certain elements of possible fraud. Accounts Payable is considered the "checkbook" of the organization and therefore creates an area that without the proper control environment can be ripe for fraud. Internal Audit organizations have the ability to spend resources to analyze the data that comes out of the process to enable the organization to feel comfortable that controls are in place and functioning properly or that there may be fraud occurring. There are simple ways to analyze large volumes of data that come from paying invoices. Understanding the data is the first step toward knowing what to look for. The course will spend some time discussing the use of Audit Control Language (ACL) and how this tool and other tools like it (IDEA) are helpful in the analysis of Accounts Payable and Purchasing data.

• The fraud triangle and statistics from the ACFE
• A basic understanding of fraud and the different types of fraud that can occur
• Understanding the data that A/P or IT can provide for analysis
• Different data analysis tools that can be utilized (ACL vs. IDEA or just Excel)

• Examples of proactive accounts payable anti-fraud reviews
• Different data analysis tests that can be performed on accounts payable data
• Different data analysis tests that can be performed on purchasing data

With an increased awareness of fraud and the ongoing cost to organizations, taking a proactive stance on performing anti-fraud audits in Purchasing and Accounts Payable is imperative to most organizations. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) "Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse" published in 2012, it predicted that 5% of an organization's revenue is lost to fraud. This course will provide you with a basic understanding of fraud, different data analyses that can be utilized, proactive accounts payable Anti-Fraud examples of reviews that can be conducted, and different data analysis tests that can be performed. Some knowledge and use of ACL or IDEA is suggested but not required.

• Internal Audit personnel involved in Fraud related activities
• Internal Audit Management is interested in performing anti-fraud audits of Accounts Payable and Purchasing Cycles
• Professionals responsible for or interested in performing anti-fraud audits
• Risk/Compliance Officer in any industry

Marna Steuart has been in the audit industry for over twenty years. Ms. Steuart began her career with a big four firm as an external auditor, then as an internal auditor in different capacities in various industries. Ms. Steuart has performed collective bargaining contracts, and construction contract audits of several third-party contracts. She has also performed vendor contract audits of purchase power contracts and third-party vendor contracts for services throughout her career as an internal auditor. She has firsthand knowledge of where to look in a contract for possible risks and of case studies that would save thousands of dollars’ for organizations.