I am very pleased to be conducting my "Advanced Forensic Accounting" training course for the New Orleans Institute of Internal Auditors on October 16th in New Orleans.  The idea for this course first came to me when I was an instructor at the FBI Academy and I developed and delivered it to FBI New Agent Trainees at the Academy between 2002 and 2004.  Since leaving the Bureau, I've redone the course, improving it dramatically and re-tooling it for delivery outside of law enforcement (i.e. nothing classified in it!).  The primary purpose of the course is to affect the way that people think from being that more like an auditor or non-investigator to that of an investigator. 

The course is kicked off with a 2-3 hour, interactive presentation of forensic accounting and investigative techniques applied to financial data.  This part of the presentation is peppered with numerous "war stories" to illustrate practical use and results of the various techniques.  The class is then challenged to apply what they've learned by working in teams through a very engaging scenario.  First, they will receive bank statements, which they must examine and analyze.  These statements are very realistic and filled with patterns and "red flags," some pretty obvious and others very subtle.  An open discussion follows where the teams share what they found, how they found it, what it might mean, how it could be followed up on and how it changes their case theory. 

Hungry for more detail (bank statements don't have much) and to further develop their case, the teams are then provided the supporting documentation behind the bank statement transactions, such as copies of checks and deposit items.  They then examine and research this information (it will require some internet hunting and resourcefulness!), incorporating it into their previous analysis.  Another open discussion is then held, again discussing what they found, how they found it, etc....

The practical based nature of the course, team-work (as small teams and as a larger class) and double-reinforcement of the learning through repeated application works, effectively impacting the way that they think and making them better investigators.  The course not only works, but it's the most fun eight hours of CPE or training you'll ever have outside of Hogan's Alley!

Here's the link advertising the New Orleans presentation: http://www.theiia.org/chapters/index.cfm/view.event_detail/cid/35/event_id/14594

If you are interested in having this course presented to a group whom you are affiliated with, please send me an email at jhanson@thefraudguy.com