Accounting Fraud and Embezzlement: Case Studies from the Trenches

This course examines recent events involving the theft of company or public money and the circumstances that allowed the fraud to occur. We will be looking at a variety of case studies to illustrate these points. This course is ideal for CPAs, government finance personnel, all Internal Auditors, lawyers, governance professionals, accountants and human resource personnel.

Publication Date: August 2025

Topics Covered

• Reasons why fraud occurs
• Case studies of situations where embezzlement occurred
• Red flags indicating that an organization is at risk of defalcation.
• Steps to prevent fraud

Learning Objectives

• Identify the factors that create an environment for fraud to easily occur
• Identify areas where there could be an inadvertent failure to separate duties
• Explain the proper role of an external auditor and identify areas where independence can be compromised
• Identify the organization whose Code of Conduct states that members should follow the most restrictive rules when multiple standards apply
• Identify the principle that requires a member to carry out professional responsibilities with skill and careful attention
• Identify the medical school case study in which the finance director illegally bought and resold hardware worth over $40 million while falsifying records and communications

Level
Basic

Instructional Method
Self-Study

NASBA Field of Study
Regulatory Ethics (2 hours)

Program Prerequisites
None

Advance Preparation
None