4 Checklists That Could Save Your Company Money

AUTHOR’S POST

Mandy Moody
ACFE Social Media Specialist

It sounds counterintuitive to say, “Happy Fraud Week” to my coworkers every year around this time, but I have to admit that I genuinely get excited for a week dedicated to sharing content and resources that ultimately strengthen the fight against fraud. Less fraud; more education: This, in fact, does make me happy.

This week has brought a multitude of tremendous supporters - more than 700 - to the forefront of the fight. From South Africa to California, I have seen seminars, conferences, white papers and more cross my screen over the past few days. We have had more than half a million tweets about International Fraud Awareness Week, and it’s only Thursday.

In the spirit of collaboration, I wanted to share with you some of the valuable “top” lists that I have seen light up on my dashboard this week:

• 13 Free Anti-Fraud Resources to Share with Your Employees or Company: Our FraudWeek.com website highlights resources, new and updated, for you to use to spread awareness.
• Cynthia Hetherington’s Four Tips on Minimizing the Impact of Fraud: The Hetherington Group reviews five steps businesses can take today to prevent fraud in the workplace. Bonus: Check out the five employee-monitoring controls.  
• Top 10 Reasons to Authenticate Your Suppliers: Your employees are not the only people who could steal from you. These reasons make it imperative to check out your vendors and suppliers.
• Six Ways to Reduce the Risk of Fraud and Errors While Managing Spreadsheet Content: With more data comes more risk for error. Heed these tips so you don’t end up on the wrong side of a spreadsheet fraud.

Find more resources, highlights and coverage at FraudWeek.com. Also, http://www.twitter.com/TheACFE and search for #FraudWeek for real-time updates.

The Key to Networking: Connect Early and Often

AUTHOR’S POST

Mandy Moody

ACFE Social Media Specialist

Most of the networking I do these days involves retweeting, forwarding, following and the occasional post that just happens to run longer than 140 characters. And, I have to admit, I often forget the value of conversing with a peer and sharing ideas the good old-fashioned way: face to face. This kind of networking is a crucial component of successful career growth, and one of the biggest benefits of the ACFE Annual Fraud Conference & Exhibition, June 17-22 in Orlando,is the opportunity for anti-fraud professionals to connect with one another… in person.

Prior to even setting foot in Orlando, you can connect with other attendees through the ACFE’s social media channels. By joining the 23rd Annual Fraud Conference group on LinkedIn, you can discuss hot topics, connect with other attendees and learn more about speakers and sessions. You can also like the ACFE’s Facebook page and follow the ACFE on Twitter to get the latest conference updates before, during and after the event. (For the most real-time updates, search the hashtag #fraudconf on Twitter.)

Beginning with Sunday evening’s Welcome Reception in the Exhibit Hall and culminating in Tuesday evening’s Networking Reception, you will be able to mingle with presenters, employers and exhibitors, helping to build lasting connections that you can take with you when you leave. The atmosphere is professional, yet relaxed. ACFE staff is always on-hand to answer questions and help introduce you to your colleagues, if desired.

With nearly 2,300 attendees expected, the ACFE Annual Fraud Conference offers you the chance to meet a diverse group of professionals from around the world. However, the Conference also creates more focused opportunities to bring together attendees in the same industries. Opportunities to network with like-minded professionals will be available at specially marked tables in the Conference general sessions, working lunches and an industry networking lounge located in the Exhibit Hall.

New Conference Mobile App

New this year, you will be able to stay informed on the go by downloading a Conference mobile app. Among the many features are the Conference agenda, session descriptions, venue map, social media connection and an exhibitor directory. 

Mingling in the New Millennium

AUTHOR'S POST

Mandy Moody
ACFE Social Media Specialist

When Eric Feldman, CFE, decided to retire from the federal government and begin his own ethics and compliance consulting firm, Core Integrity Group, in 2010, his son, Josh, said, "Dad, you gotta get on LinkedIn." Josh, 26, is the chief of technology for an Internet media company in Beverly Hills, Calif. 

Feldman, a self-proclaimed "technophobe," cautiously created a user account on LinkedIn listing his past work experience, his contact information and his new company's website address. After testing the social media waters, he then decided to take the plunge and extend invitations to connect with other known professionals, joined several relevant discussion groups and even began to prospect for new clients.

"I went on LinkedIn and pretty much started from scratch," Feldman said. "I now use it as the primary base for my introductory marketing. I send out emails to people I connect with, and it has resulted in more and more networking. It is fabulous for making contacts."

All fraud fighters - independent business owners; staffers at middle-management companies, nonprofit and government agencies; and CFOs and CEOs - benefit from social media.

LINKEDIN: A GOOD ENTRYWAY

Dubbed the "world's largest professional network," LinkedIn boasts more than 100 million members from more than 200 countries. Executives from all the Fortune 500 companies are represented, and there are more than 500 discussion groups related to fraud prevention, money laundering, compliance and ethics, and more. Users can network, prospect, market and expand their professional networks from their desks (or their living rooms, as LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman did when he launched the site in 2002).

Read the full article in Fraud Magazine here.

United, We Advance

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT, FRAUD MAGAZINE

James D. Ratley

ACFE President and CEO

I always return from the Annual ACFE Fraud Conference and Exhibition with a sense of wonder. Last month in San Diego we demonstrated - for the 22nd time! - the depth and diversity of our global membership.

Anyone who has been to an ACFE "family gathering" knows what I mean. We embraced longtime friends and welcomed nearly as many new ones as we developed valuable relationships while updating critical skills. That California sunshine did not hurt either.

Of course, the annual conference is not the only time we get together each year. All the ACFE's training events provide opportunities to meet our peers in person and advance our careers. In fact, speaking with you face to face is my favorite way of discovering how the ACFE is meeting your needs.

But it does not stop there; every day, members collaborate in virtual environments. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and the ACFE website join us together in a 24/7/365 community.

The ACFE is steadily growing; our membership is now more than 55,000. Our formidable body of knowledge, which continues to expand, benefits all members and those who depend on us. Although fraudsters respect no boundaries, CFEs in 138 chapters in nations across the globe are always on guard against them.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Tweets and headlines confront us with ongoing news of rampant corruption. We shine sorely needed light into the dark, unethical corners of business and government to deter and detect fraud. However, amid faster-than-ever social, political and technological change, governments and industries — and those of us who work in them — are expected to do more with less. For example, the U.K. Bribery Act has just become effective. Yet at the same time, there is word that Britain’s budget woes might diminish funding to enforce the new legislation.

Read the full letter here.