Financial Statement Fraud

Financial Statement FRAUD Financial statement fraud is a major problem for U.S. companies. For a variety of reasons, people in positions of power within organizations sometimes intentionally mislead investors and creditors with deliberately inaccurate financial statements. This book concentrates on common methods of financial statement fraud and ways corporate leaders can detect and prevent it. The author assesses the consequences of financial statement fraud and its impact on the integrity of companies guilty of such fraud; offers a variety of well-founded reasons corporate leaders should try in earnest to prevent it; and provides techniques leaders can use to detect and correct it. Using case studies of high-profile instances of financial statement fraud committed by well-known companies such as Waste Management, Inc. and Sunbeam, the author helps corporate leaders understand both the conditions that lead to this type of fraud and the ways it can be prevented. Financial Statement Fraud provides guidelines and tactics boards of directors and audit committees can use to develop a corporate culture that discourages financial statement fraud, as well as unusual business practices, aggressive accounting methods, and violations of a company's applicable laws and regulations. Written specifically with publicly held companies in mind-and packed with guidance from standard-setting organizations such as the AICPA and the SEC-the book provides theoretical and practical advice ideally suited for management and auditors who understand the importance of recognizing and stopping financial statement fraud. All the vital topics are discussed, including: Definition of financial statement fraud Prevention and detection methods Financial reporting methods in publicly held companies Various fraud schemes Responsibility of boards of directors Role of management and both internal and external auditors Fraud in the digital environment