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Wednesday, December 31, 2025 Live Webcast

ACPEN Signature 2025-2026: Business Fraud Update and Managing the Risk of Fraud (X4-6941751)

12:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
webcast

Vendor Platform

8 CPE Credits in AA

OVERVIEW

Fraud has not been conquered.  Although most organizations like to think, “it can’t happen to us,” the fact of the matter is that fraud can happen to any organization and its impact can be catastrophic.  Accountability professionals are the first line of defense against fraud. When fraud happens, management always turns to the accountability professional and either says (a) “this must be your fault,” or (b) “you were right; you warned us; help us make sure this cannot happen again.” Consequently, accountants, internal auditors, external auditors, fraud examiners, and risk management professionals need to develop the skills needed to prevent, detect, and deter fraud and need to be proactive in promoting and effecting organizational change.

According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ (ACFE) 2024 Report to the Nations:

  • The median loss per fraud case is $145,000; the average loss per fraud case is $1.7 million.
  • 43% of frauds are discovered by tips, usually from employees.
  • Asset misappropriation schemes are the most common (89%) but least costly ($120,000 median loss).
  • Financial statement fraud schemes are the least common (5%) but most costly ($766,000 median loss).
  • Corruption is the most common scheme in all global regions.
  • Median losses for frauds by owners/executives ($459,000) were more than 7X GREATER than those carried out by employees ($60,000).
  • 84% of fraudsters exhibited at least one behavioral red flag.
  • Organizations that have implemented anti-fraud measures suffer significantly lower losses and find fraud much more quickly.

These conclusions are alarming and should be a wake-up call for all business and government professionals. The impact of fraud is always devastating and can be catastrophic.  The 2025 Business Fraud Update is another fast-moving seminar that will provide a comprehensive look at the latest developments about fraud from the technical, legal, and operational perspectives and update participants on the most recent legal and regulatory developments in this important area of professional responsibility.  

In addition, our panel of legal, accountability, and forensic experts will explain key steps and methods in conducting a successful fraud investigation:

  • Establishing predicate for an investigation
  • Gathering and preserving evidence
  • Conducting interviews and obtaining confessions
  • When to involve law enforcement professionals and regulators
  • The CPA's Role
  • Preparing an expert report
  • Providing expert testimony
  • Implementing corrective action plans

DESIGNED FOR

Industry and Government Accountability Professionals, Certified Public Accountants, Certified Fraud Examiners, and Risk Management Professionals

BENEFITS

  • Understand fraud risk management from the technical, legal, and operational perspective.
  • Learn the most recent legal and regulatory developments pertaining to fraud deterrence, prevention, and detection.
  • Understanding what to do (and what not to do) in conducting investigations into suspected fraud.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Business Fraud
  • Fraud Risk Management and Fraud Risk Assessments
  • Data Analytics and Digital Analysis
  • Providing Forensic Services
  • Conducting Investigations

COURSE LEVEL

Update

PREREQUISITES

None

ADVANCE PREPARATION

None

INSTRUCTOR

David Cotton

David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM

Chairman

Cotton & Company

David L. Cotton, CPA, CFE, CGFM is chairman of Cotton & Company LLP, Certified Public Accountants, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. Cotton & Company has performed grant and contract, indirect cost rate, financial statement, financial related, and performance audits for more than two dozen Federal inspectors general as well as numerous other Federal and State agencies and programs. Dave received a BS in mechanical engineering (1971) and an MBA in management science and labor relations (1972) from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. He also pursued graduate studies in accounting and auditing at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business (1977 to 1978).

Dave served on the Advisory Council on Government Auditing Standards (the Council advises the United States Comptroller General on promulgation of Government Auditing Standards—GAO’s yellow book) from 2006 to 2009. He served on the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) Anti-Fraud Programs and Controls Task Force and co-authored Managing the Business Risk of Fraud: A Practical Guide. He served on the American Institute of CPAs Anti-Fraud Task Force and co-authored Management Override: The Achilles Heel of Fraud Prevention. Dave is the past-chair of the AICPA Federal Accounting and Auditing Subcommittee and has served on the AICPA Governmental Accounting and Auditing Committee and the Government Technical Standards Subcommittee of the AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee. Dave chaired the Fraud Risk Management Task Force, sponsored by COSO and ACFE and is a principal author of the COSO-ACFE Fraud Risk Management Guide.

Dave has testified as an expert in governmental accounting, auditing, and fraud issues before the United States Court of Federal Claims and other administrative and judicial bodies. He has been an instructor for the George Washington University masters of accountancy program (Fraud Examination and Forensic Accounting), and has instructed for the George Mason University Small Business Development Center (Fundamentals of Accounting for Government Contracts).

Dave was the recipient of the ACFE 2018 Certified Fraud Examiner of the Year Award (“presented to a CFE who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in the field of fraud examination … based on their contributions to the ACFE, to the profession, and to the community”).

PRICING

$250.00 - Member

$300.00 - Nonmember

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Note: Online pre-registration will close on December 31 at 11:30 AM.

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COURSE DEVELOPER

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