Lesson 08-red flags
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This document discusses red flags, or warning signals, that can indicate potential fraud. It notes that while no organization is completely free from fraud, paying attention to red flags can help detect fraud early. Some common red flags mentioned include suspicious transactions, behavioral changes in employees, missing documents, and inconsistencies in financial accounts. The document emphasizes that while red flags do not necessarily prove fraud, they are warning indicators that further investigation is warranted. Ignoring red flags can allow fraud to go undetected. Both auditors and management should be aware of potential red flags in employee behavior, financial accounts, and management actions.
Lesson 08-red flags
- 1. Lessons on Fraud Awareness – Lesson VII RED FLAGS Author Narayanarao Kolluru B .Com ; FCA; CFFE-(IFS-Pune),CFE-(West Virginia university) www.fraudsdetection.com & LinkedIn YouTube Channel: CA Narayanarao Kolluru
- 2. RED FLAGS OR WARNING SIGNALS ARE , WARNING INDICATORS OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS !!
- 3. IMPORTANCE OF RED FLAGS No Organisation is free from Frauds despite the most stringent controls and policies ; However always there are RED FLAG INDICATORS
- 4. Brief about “Frauds” IT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO RECOLLECT DEFINITION OF FRAUDS. A fraud is an act committed by one person, ‘’the Fraudster” , on another , the “Victim” , and cause monetary or other losses to the Victim. This is made possible as the fraudster creates first trust on the other and latter commits the act of fraud. As discussed earlier lessons, there are several types of frauds, committed by the fraudsters.
- 5. RED ALERTS.. RED FLAGS ……………… REMEMBER ALWAYS THAT ANY ALERT OR RED FLAG DURING THE COURCE OF AUDIT OR INVESTIGATION, NOT NECESSARILY, INDICATE, INNCOCENCE OR GUIL, BUT ,ARE ONLY, INDICATORS OR POSSIBLE SIGNALS OF FRAUDS. EARLY DETECTION BY FOLLOWING A RED FLAG WILL PREVENT OR AT LEAST DETECT FRAUDS AT AN EARLY STAGE.
- 6. What are Red Flags…….? They are warning signals and alerts: Any suspicious or doubtful transaction entry Year end adjustments Too many debit and credit memos Employee Behavioural changes Frequent complaints against some employees from with in the organisation or external third parties. Multiple payments for same invoice. Missing documents and vouchers . Closeness with vendors. Alerts during course of audit-for fraudulent entries or misappropriations
- 7. Risks or Red alerts by ay an auditor…. When an auditor is planning and evaluating the results of the audit procedures he must keep in mind the red flagsor risks in the following cases: 1.Misstatements arising from fraud or errors. . Misstatements arising from fraudulent financial reporting
- 8. Red Flags-Employees • Some of the red flags in the case of an employee: 1.Employee behavioural changes 2.Employee change in Life style 3.Unreconciled accounts 4. Unsatisfactory explanations 5.Closeness to vendor, customers 6.unusal working hours 7.unjustified complaint's 8.Complaints by a co-employee or third parties. 9.”Wheeler-Dealer’’attitude.
- 9. Red Flags i Red Flags in Accounts Following are some of the main Red Flag indicators: 1.Inconsistent debt –equity ratio with 100 % debts to equity. 2.A downfall in the interest coverage ratio, specially if it is less than 5. 3.If the last three years earnings are going down or the business doesn’t not show consistent improvement. 4.Special attention should be paid to Miscellaneous or other expenses in the financial statements. 5.Unreconciled suspense accounts. 6. Inconsistent cash flows-either too much cash stuck or the cashin flows are not healthy. 7.Falling Gross profit margins. 8. Heavy scrap sales 9. Increases in sales and debtors figures 10. Any suspicious transaction or entry in the books of accounts.
- 10. RED FLAGS…… Ignored • IT IS OBSERVED THAT IN THE CASE OF AT LEAST 85% OF THE FRAUDS, THERE ARE INDICATORS ,OF AT LEAST ONE, RED FLAG BUT NOT PAID ATTENTION OR NO ACTION WAS INITIATED TO INVESTIGATE.
- 11. RED FLAGS OF MANAGEMENT ACTIONS Fraud examiners and Auditors must pay attention towards red flag to check frauds by Management: The following are some of such Red Alerts: 1.Management evading to give necessary information. 2.Decisions at the top by a very close group of directors. 3.Poor internal control systems 4.Internal control policies not implemented as desired. 5.Managements aggressive in giving ansers to fraud examiners or auditors. 6. Inexperienced people in the accounts and finance departments 7.Suspicious year end adjustments at the insistence of management. 8.Exceswive and repeated borrowing 9.History of corruption abroad involving any one or members of the board. 10.Acquisition of companies without proper due diligence report from a professional