Why Auditors Fail To Detect Fraud
Overview
Prior to the original SAS No. 82 on Consideration of Fraud In A Financial Statement Audit (now codified as SAS No. 122, AU 240), the word fraud never appeared in a single SAS, nor was it described anywhere. SAS No. 82 stated that auditors failed to detect fraud for two reasons: 1) They did not know what it looked like and 2) They had not been trained to look for it. Although the SASs did not provide any guidance, auditors have always been responsible for the detection of anything that would cause a material misstatement of the financial statements whether caused by error or irregularities. (They would not even say the word fraud until it appeared in SAS No. 82) The standards were replete with guidance on the detection of an error but silent on how to detect irregularities. Now auditors are required to document in every financial statement audit their process of determining the risk of financial misstatement due to fraud.
This presentation is designed to focus on frauds that were missed by the auditors and, in some cases, why it was missed. There will also be discussion as to what the auditor must do in order to improve their track record on detecting fraud. As reported on the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Occupational Fraud 2022: A Report to the Nations, only 4% of frauds were initially discovered by the external auditor. It was reported that more frauds were discovered by accident, (5%) then was discovered by the external auditor.
Highlights
- Reasons auditors fail to detect fraud
- Willful Ignorance
- SAS No. 82
- Additional documentation
- How and who to talk to
- Determining the Tone At the Top
- How to Determining Intent
- If you expect it, you will see it
Prerequisites
None
Designed For
Financial Auditors; Internal Auditors; Financial Administrators
Objectives
- Understanding the importance of developing and maintaining professional skepticism
- Evaluating the Tone At the Top
- Determining intent
- Obtaining an in-depth knowledge of your client’s operations
- Recognizing red flags related to fraud
- Looking for what should be there
- Looking for what should not be there
- Identifying unusual transactions
Preparation
None
Notice
This course is offered by a 3rd party vendor and will not be accessible in the My CPE Tracker section of the ISCPA website. Course access information will be emailed directly to you by Accounting Continuing Professional Education Network (ACPEN).
Leader(s):
Leader Bios
Dennis Dycus, Dennis Dycus CPA, CFE, CGFM
Mr. Dennis F. Dycus, CFE, CPA, CGFM, presently serves as the Director of the Division of Municipal Audit for the Office of the Comptroller of the Treasury, State of Tennessee. The Division is responsible for the annual audit of all municipalities, utility districts, school activity and cafeteria funds, housing authorities, certain not-for-profit organizations and other quasi-governmental entities in the State of Tennessee. From the beginning of his career with a national accounting firm, through the last 37 years of involvement with the audits of all forms of governmental entities, he brings a wealth of practical experience to his presentations. A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Mr. Dycus is a frequent guest speaker/lecturer for various college business/accounting classes, professional associations, local, state and national conferences and not-for-profit organizations. He is also a member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Association of Government Accountants, where he previously served as chapter president; the Government Finance Officers Association, and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, where he also served as chapter president and is a former member of both the Associations Board of Regent and ACFE Foundation as well as a member of their instructor faculty on a national basis. Mr. Dycus has developed and/or conducted training programs in all fifty states, Puerto Rico, Guam, Canada and Europe, for organizations such as the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners; the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; numerous state CPA societies; the Government Finance Officers Association; the Association of Government Accountants; the National Association of State Auditors, Comptrollers and Treasurers; Westcott Communications, Inc.; the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe; New York Presbyterian Hospital; IBM; HCA; NYC Presbyterian Hospital, Saturn, Inc.; the US Department of Labor; the Government Accountability Office; the Internal Revenue Service; Bisk Education, Inc.; Nichols Education, Inc.; numerous state audit organizations and individual professional firms.
Non-Member Price $109.00
Member Price $79.00