Roderick Mann’s Post

When material accounting fraud or internal control weaknesses are uncovered, the road to recovery is often complex. In many cases, previously audited financial statements must be restated to correct material misstatements. My colleagues explore the intricacies of this process in an article published by Global Investigations Review, offering insights into determining the appropriate financial amounts and disclosures, and managing the challenges that arise during the external audit process. https://lnkd.in/eEjBys9U #Accounting #FinancialReporting #Restatements

Modernizing Auditing Practices In the wake of recent auditing deficiencies and the ensuing scandals, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board PCAOB, is considering imposing tighter regulations on auditing firms. Undoubtedly, this is a crucial step towards upholding the integrity of auditing practices and safeguarding the interests of investors. However, as discussions unfold, it's evident that many stakeholders feel the burden of responsibility should not solely rest on the shoulders of auditing firms. Some argue that the proposed regulations could potentially inundate audit firms with tasks that extend beyond their core expertise. In my view, the call for modernization in auditing and enhanced transparency is imperative. The auditing landscape, despite its pivotal role, often lags behind in adapting to evolving complexities. Yet, addressing these challenges requires a collaborative effort. The PCAOB, audit firms, and companies alike must all play active roles in shaping the future of auditing practices. The Wall Street Journal article by Mark Maurer is a good read. #accounting #audit #PCAOB

Auditing involves analyzing and going over a company, firm, or person's financial records and statements. The purpose of auditing is to give an unbiased and impartial evaluation of a company's financial data in order to confirm its accuracy and dependability. To Read More - https://lnkd.in/gGnfaqfC #auditingservices #auditingcompanies #auditingfirms

Thrilled to Complete Forensic Accounting: Volume I Webinar! I am excited to share that I have completed the Forensic Accounting: Volume I Webinar conducted by Emir J Phillips. This informative session provided deep insights into forensic accounting practices and methodologies, which will be instrumental in my professional journey. Forensic accounting is a crucial field that involves investigating financial discrepancies, fraud detection, and providing litigation support. It combines accounting, auditing, and investigative skills to ensure transparency and integrity in financial systems. The webinar covered essential topics such as fraud detection and prevention, financial investigations, and corporate governance. Forensic accounting is a specialized field of accounting that focuses on investigating financial discrepancies, fraud, and other irregularities. It combines accounting, auditing, and investigative skills to analyze financial data for use in legal proceedings. Here are some key points about forensic accounting: 1.Fraud Detection and Prevention: Forensic accountants play a crucial role in identifying and preventing fraud within organizations. They scrutinize financial records to uncover suspicious activities and ensure compliance with regulations. 2.Litigation Support: Forensic accountants often work with legal teams to provide expert testimony in court. They help quantify damages, trace assets, and clarify complex financial issues for judges and juries. 3.Financial Investigations: This involves examining financial statements and transactions to detect illegal activities such as embezzlement, money laundering, and tax evasion. 4.Corporate Governance and Compliance: Forensic accountants ensure that companies adhere to financial regulations and internal policies, thereby promoting transparency and ethical practices. 5.Insurance Claims: They assess the validity of insurance claims by analyzing financial losses and verifying the accuracy of the claims. Forensic accounting is essential in maintaining the integrity of financial systems and supporting the pursuit of justice in financial crimes. The skills and knowledge gained through specialized training in this field are invaluable for both accountants and legal professionals. A big thank you to Miles Education for organizing this excellent webinar. #ForensicAccounting #ProfessionalDevelopment #MilesLearning #CPE #ContinuedEducation #LearningJourney #FraudDetection #CorporateGovernance #FinancialInvestigations #Audit #Accounting #CareerGrowth

NFRA: PENALISES AUDITOR FOR FAILURE TO REPORT MATERIAL MISSTATEMENT OF CO.'S PROFITS, NON-COMPLIANCE WITH SAS NFRA imposes a penalty of Rs. 5 lakh on an Audit Firm [statutory auditor of Vikas WSP Ltd. (VWL) for FY 2019-20] for not ensuring compliance with Standards on Auditing (SAs) to ensure the audit quality and lend credibility to Financial Statements; Observes that, "The Financial Statements of VWL were materially misstated due to partial recognition of interest cost on Borrowings classified as NPAs by the Banks in the FY 2019-20, resulting in overstatement of profits."; W.r.t. Firm’s submission that for all the non-compliances related to the statutory audit of VWL, the Engagement Partner (EP) was held responsible and was also penalized u/s 132(4)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013, NFRA states that “The contentions of the firm that only the EP is accountable for non-compliance with auditing standards is misconstrued. It is the firm that was appointed as the auditor under section 139 of the Act and it is the auditor (in this case the firm) that has to be held accountable for auditor's duties and responsibilities under section 143 of the Act, including compliance with the SAs.”; NFRA underscores that failure to properly monitor compliance with quality control policies, and procedures by audit firms has been viewed seriously by International Regulators as well, and cites that the PCAOB, the US Regulator, censured and imposed monetary penalty of $600,000 on the firm in the Matter of PricewaterhouseCoopers, for their failure inter alia to comply with the requirements of Quality Control Policies and Procedures of the Firm; Further, NFRA emphasizes that it is the duty of the audit firm to formulate and implement quality control policies, and procedures and ensure that the firm and its personnel comply with professional standards and regulatory and legal requirements and the Independent Auditor’s Report issued by the firm or engagement partners are appropriate, as it is expected to provide useful information to the stakeholders and public, based on which they make decisions on their investments or do transactions with the public interest entity; Lastly, holding that, without a credible audit, investors, creditors and other users of Financial Statements would be handicapped, and the corporate governance system would be seriously challenged and result in a breakdown in trust and confidence of investors and the public at large, NFRA concludes that, “Considering the proved professional misconduct and keeping in mind the nature of violations, principles of proportionality and deterrence against future professional misconduct, and also keeping in mind that the audit firm has not accepted the charges as pointed out in the SCN…we…hereby order imposition of a monetary penalty…”:NDEL NFRA The order was passed by Dr. Ajay Bhushan Prasad Pandey (Chairperson), Shri. Praveen Kumar Tiwari (Full-Time Member) and Ms. Smita Jhingran (Full-Time Member).

In a recent development, chiefs have passed a resolution to halt the forensic audit within the AFN. This decision underscores a significant moment and is a prime example of protecting the institution. The AFN has, in many ways, adopted operational forms reminiscent of the Crown's approach. The implications of this move are profound. It raises critical questions about transparency, accountability, and the future direction of the AFN. As we navigate these challenging waters, it is essential to remember the foundational values that guide our communities and institutions. It is critical to continue to advocate for integrity and openness, ensuring that AFN's actions reflect the best interests of the people they serve. They have created another top-down approach to the mechanisms of authority and processes. The systemic processes of colonial management and policies that should protect against mismanagement of funds are being used to seal them from the public. In a surprising turn, Cindy Woodhouse just saved Perry Bellegarde and his administration's financial track records from becoming public. (This is my opinion.) Does it make sense now why AFN ousted the former Chief and used internal policies to remove her before she got this audit off the ground? The former AFN Chief was using internal mechanisms through policies to make all financial records public because it benefited the people. The new AFN Chief stopped that inquiry using the exact same institutional mechanisms to stop the forensic audit, and BDO, a financial services firm, to support it. The systemic wheel, a metaphor for the cyclical nature of oppression, goes round and round as our people continue to live in the natural cycles of oppression. Personally, I am invested in this issue. I want to see those records. I want to know the worth of those contracts, who received them, the admin fees taken, and the relationships between the contract holders and vendors. Were they paid at industry rates? These are not just questions, but concerns. So many unanswered questions, so much frustration. It's time for change. Through experience, I know that it never lies when you follow the money. Why would AFN not want to be completely transparent about a corporation's spending? Is it protected by specialized regulations under federal law? (Similar to IOGC) AFN advocates for over 600 First Nations in Canada 🇨🇦, why would they not give the people what they want, Indigenously speaking? From a perspective of Indigenous ways of knowing, this is not a collective process that serves all Nations in Canada. It is Another controlled institution. Where are our leaders that truly care about people and are not blinded by money. Our leaders are leaving the most vulnerable of our people behind. Food for thought, indeed! #IndigenousLeadership #Accountability #Transparency #AFN #Governance #Colonialism #FinancialTransparency #IndigenousRights #ChangeIsComing #isc #cirnac #canada #indigenousrelations

Excellent media coverage for the Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors in this piece on Reuters about our new Internal Audit Code of Practice. The story has also been syndicated across multiple media outlets across the globe. Designed to equip organisations with the tools to navigate today’s increasingly complex risk environment, the new Code sets a higher standard for internal audit practices across the UK and Ireland, bolstering corporate governance and contributing to economic stability. In a time of rapid and unprecedented change, the Code offers Audit Committees and internal audit professionals a comprehensive roadmap and set of principles to ensure the effectiveness of internal audit functions. For the first time, the Code offers a unified approach encompassing the financial services, private and third sectors, elevating the standards of internal audit practices across the board. Spearheaded by an independent committee established by the Chartered IIA and chaired by Sally Clark, Audit Committee Chair at Citigroup Global Markets, the Code has received input from several key UK and Irish regulators, including the Bank of England, Central Bank of Ireland, Financial Conduct Authority, and Financial Reporting Council. The Code’s development was also shaped by extensive public consultation, involving hundreds of internal audit professionals and other stakeholders including business leaders, regulators, standard setters and other professional bodies. Building on the new Global Internal Audit Standards and the revised UK Corporate Governance Code, the updated Internal Audit Code of Practice aligns with these frameworks while introducing several key enhancements aimed at supporting efforts to restore trust in the broader audit and corporate governance eco-system.

🌟 Day 22 of 30 Days to Audit Brilliance 🌟 As we dive deeper into the world of accounting audits, it's essential to highlight the major goals that guide our efforts. These objectives not only enhance the integrity of financial reporting but also foster trust within the organization and among stakeholders. Here’s a closer look at these vital goals: 🔍 Transparency & Accountability: Clear and accurate financial information is key to ensuring that organizations are accountable for their performance. Transparency builds trust and confidence among stakeholders. 📊 Quality of Financial Statements: Audits verify that financial statements are prepared according to relevant accounting standards, providing a true and fair view of an organization's financial position. This quality assurance is crucial for informed decision-making. 📜 Compliance with Tax Regulations & Accounting Standards: Compliance with tax laws and accounting standards protects organizations from legal issues and fosters ethical business practices. 🚨 Detect & Prevent Fraud: One of the primary roles of an audit is to identify and prevent fraudulent activities. Organizations can safeguard their assets and maintain their reputation by implementing robust auditing processes. Let's continue to prioritize these goals as we strive for excellence in our auditing practices! 💪✨ Source: https://lnkd.in/gcNawr3g #Auditing #Accounting #Transparency #Compliance #FraudPrevention #Finance #30DaysToAuditBrilliance

The forensic accounting investigation detailed in this article could itself serve as Exhibit A in the lectures we regularly give on financial statement fraud. As detailed in the article, this is why the PCAOB and SEC demanded access to China-based public company audits.