Conducting an internal investigation can be a difficult task. An investigation into employee wrongdoing can be costly, disruptive and time-consuming, and can also lead to a variety of legal problems and other unexpected complications if it is not conducted with the utmost care and confidentiality. However, a well-run internal investigation can enhance a company’s overall well-being and can help detect the source of lost funds, identify responsible parties and recover losses. It can also provide a defense to legal charges by terminated or disgruntled employees. But perhaps most important, an internal investigation will signal to other employees that the company will not tolerate fraud.

Conducting Internal Investigations will prepare you for every step of an internal investigation into potential fraud, from receiving the initial allegation to testifying as a witness. In this course, you will learn how to lead an internal investigation with accuracy and confidence by gaining knowledge about various topics, such as relevant legal aspects of internal investigations, using computers in an investigation, collecting and analyzing internal and external information, interviewing witnesses and writing reports.

• Understanding fraud and how it can be committed
• Learning about the different fraud schemes and their red flags
• Developing a fraud prevention policy and procedures
• Understanding Corruption and its different forms
• Conducting an effective internal investigation
• Identifying the sources of information available and relevant
• How to obtain relevant evidence
• Handling the evidence by following the procedures
• Analysis of documents
• How to prepare an interview
• Conducting an effective interview
• Dealing with difficult people and barriers
• Confidently testifying as a witness

Understanding Fraud

• What is Fraud?
• The Basics of Fraud
• Who Commits Fraud and Why
• Fraud Triangle

Fraud Schemes and Red Flags

• Types of asset misappropriation
• Cash theft: skimming and larceny
• Fraudulent disbursements
• Theft of Stock and Other Assets
• Fraudulent Financial Statement Schemes
• Case study/ Group Work: Identifying red flags in different scenarios presented for analysis, and a case study in identifying red flags in financial statements

Fraud Prevention  

• Purposes of Internal Controls as a fraud prevention measure
• Fraud Prevention Programmes
• Development of Fraud Prevention Policy
• Implementation of Suitable Internal Controls Procedures in your

Organisation

• Monitoring and Reporting
• Detection and Discovery
• Warning Signs
• Getting the Evidence
• Case study in Risk Assessment using different scenarios where possible areas of risk must be identify and the monitoring and control activities required to address those risks

Introduction to Internal Investigations

• Upon receipt of the allegation: complaint or tipping-off – When and how to act
• Investigations: Who, What, Where, When, How, and Why
• Setting up an action plan – setting objectives of the investigation
• Timing and scope of the investigation
• How to begin the investigation
• Review of Internal Controls for irregularities and weaknesses
• Use of Red Flags as a basis for further investigation
• Pitfalls and legal issues
• Group Work: use of ICQ and other fraud risk tools to identify weaknesses and areas requiring further review and investigation in practical scenarios

Collection and Analysis of Documents

• What documents you need
• Where to find them
• Consent requirement and privacy issues
• Access to Digital documents and its retrieval
• Chain of custody
• Analysis of documents
• Access to public records and availability of information
• Type of records available
• Data Protection and Freedom of Information issues
• Internet as a source of information
• Case Study: how to assess the importance of documents and how to analyze them
• Case study: Delegates will be require to propose documents required in investigations and how to carry out the analysis

Interview Preparation

• Interviewing Witnesses
• Question typology: open, closed, introductory, informational
• Legal considerations when conducting an interview
• Elements of conversations: expression, persuasion, information exchange
• Inhibitors of communication: ego threat, forgetting, chronological confusion, unconscious behavior

Interview Mechanics

• Note-taking,
• Eye contact
• Opinions
• Writing down questions
• Documenting results
• Privacy
• Dealing with resistance and difficult people
• Admission seeking questions: preparation and steps
• Role play in conducting an interview
• Group Work: Role play in how to carry out an interview and what pitfalls to avoid to succeed

Concluding the investigation

• Presenting the results of your investigation
• The outcome of the investigation and the next step
• Preparing and writing the report
• Format of the report and objectives
• The report for management, lawyers, law enforcement or the court
• Case Study/ Group Work: preparing a report with the conclusions to be presented to management regarding the findings of the investigation

Testifying as a fact witness

• Preparing to testify
• Testifying at trial: direct examination v cross-examination
• Defending your report
• Group Work/ Case Study: Examples of errors to avoid when testifying and defending your report in Court

Corruption

• Understanding Corruption
• Definition of Corruption
• Corruption Schemes:
• Bribery: Kickback Schemes, Bid-Rigging Schemes
• Illegal Gratuities
• Economic Extortion
• Conflicts of Interest