Dominic Peltier-Rivest

An analysis of the victims of occupational fraud: a Canadian perspective

Purpose – This paper aims to describe and explain characteristics of organizations that are victims of occupational fraud.Design/methodology/approach – This study is based on a 2006 occupational fraud web survey conducted in Canada by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).Findings – The analysis shows that occupational fraud losses are quite large, accounting for a median loss of C

Cutting fraud losses in Canadian organizations

187,500 and a mean loss of C

A model for preventing corruption

1,142,494. These losses represent, respectively, 0.3 percent (median) and 9 percent (mean) of the victim organizations annual sales. Private companies, not‐for‐profit organizations and small businesses are particularly vulnerable to relatively larger fraud losses. It is also shown that the smaller the organization the more likely fraud losses will be relatively larger.Research limitations/implications – This study contributes to academia by measuring the statistical significance of the cost of occupational fraud per various organizational characteristics.Practical implications – This ...

At the interface of the electronic frontier and the law: the international legal environment for systems reliability assurance services

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of various internal controls (i.e. hotlines, regular ethics (fraud) training, surprise audits, internal and external audits and background checks) on reducing occupational fraud losses by victim organizations. Design/methodology/approach – The paper, based on data from an occupational fraud report co-authored by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and Peltier-Rivest (2007), uses a multivariate regression analysis to analyze the effect of various internal controls on preventing fraud losses. Findings – The authors’ analyses demonstrate that hotlines, regular ethics (fraud) training, surprise audits and internal audits all decrease fraud losses when used separately. However, hotlines and surprise audits are the only statistically significant controls when controlling for the potential correlation among all internal controls. Hotlines are associated with a reduction of 54 per cent in median fraud losses, while surprise audits cut me...

Thieves from within: occupational fraud in Canada

Purpose This paper investigates the extent of corruption globally, explains its social and economic consequences and introduces a model, composed of corporate governance mechanisms, internal controls and red flag analyses, that organizations can apply to prevent corruption. Design/methodology/approach This study uses criminology theories to analyze corruption and its prevention. Findings The global cost of bribery alone is estimated at US

Assurance services and the electronic frontier: The international legal environment of the CPA/CA WebTrust

1 trillion annually, not including the costs resulting from non-completion and deficient completion of development projects (World Bank Institute, 2004). This paper shows that an effective prevention model should include: a positive work environment and ethical governance; the implementation of a compliance risk management program with fraud risk assessments; an accessible psychological assistance program for employees; regular employee anti-fraud training; the implementation of targeted internal controls such as proper segregation of organisational duties; the adoption ...

Gestion stratégique d'une modification comptable

Abstract In response to concerns about unreliable information systems, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) have launched a new assurance service called SysTrust. The objective of a SysTrust engagement is for the practitioner to issue an attestation/assurance report on system(s) reliability. The development and deployment of the CPA/CA SysTrust service, however, is done in a high litigation risk environment, especially in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Our purpose is to evaluate the legal environment in these five nations so CAs and CPAs can comprehend the issues involving potential litigation prior to initiating SysTrust engagements. Presently, no legal case in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom has yet been reported which addresses directly accountant liability to third parties for negligent information system assurance services. An analysis of related legal cases sheds light on the potential liability of SysTrust providers. However, the current international legal environment is characterized by a high level of uncertainty. Several risk management strategies, including risk exposure analysis, client engagement evaluation, engagement letters, loss-limit clauses, and alternative dispute resolution, are presented that SysTrust providers may implement to minimize litigation risk.