Fraud Internal Controls In Nonprofit Organizations

IS YOUR NONPROFIT VULNERABLE TO FRAUD? Fraud or embezzlement discovered within a major corporation ultimately leads to front-page scandals and a few raised eyebrows. But the mere suggestion or evidence of fraud within a nonprofit can cause irreversible damage to its reputation, its support base, and, eventually, its very existence. Preventing Fraud in Nonprofit Organizations is the proactive manual your organization needs to detect fraud and prevent it from affecting your organization's bottom line and name. Brimming with details of hundreds of actual fraud and embezzlement schemes, it provides specific, practical advice on strengthening the areas in which your nonprofit may be most vulnerable. This hands-on guide shows nonprofit accountants, CFOs, financial consultants, board members, and managers how to: * Know the four consistent areas of high risk * Thoroughly evaluate their organization's system of internal controls * Assemble a fraud examination team * Document a fraud action plan * Expose weaknesses that could lead to fraud * Take corrective action to reduce the possibility of victimization Fraud deterrence is not exclusive to large corporations. Recommended reading for nonprofit professionals, Preventing Fraud in Nonprofit Organizations will motivate executives to take a fresh and intensive look at their organization's practices and act to protect from financial dishonesty.

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This study addressed the problem regarding the lack of strategies and internal controls in faith-based nonprofit organizations which resulted in a higher risk of fraud, waste of funds, or abuse of funds in charities, churches, and other related ministries. This risk was the result of trust by organizations that employees would not commit fraud and due to a lack of sufficient resources. This study specifically researched faith-based nonprofit organizations that are located in Texas. This qualitative case study included two faith-based nonprofit organizations located in or near Houston, Texas. The research found several themes including: frauds occur, segregation of duties, approval controls, review process, and policies and procedures. The study also found several internal controls, policies, and procedures that these organizations could implement to decrease the risk of fraud, such as a whistleblower policy, background checks, segregation of duties, review of financials, and limited access to accounting procedures. Further research could be conducted on the implementation of internal controls after a fraud was discovered and the restoration of donor trust.

"In the new age of philanthropy, donors expect charities to be models of accountability and transparency...Internal controls: Guidance for Private, Government, and Nonprofit Entities is a must read for CEOs and CFOs who want to gain a clear understanding of cost-effective ways to implement the controls necessary to protect their organizations." - Elizabeth Myatt, Chief Executive Officer, World Lung Foundation "If you were looking for the silver bullet to understand and audit internal controls, you just found it. This book will prove invaluable in planning the audit internal controls, you just found it. This book will prove invaluable in planning the audit because it specifically covers COSO and the new AICPA risk assessment auditing standards. " - George I. Victor, CPA, Partner in Charge of Quality Control, Holtz Rubenstein Reminick LLP "Author Lyn Graham gives practical, easy-to-understand guidance for documenting internal controls. I recommend this book for both my clients and our staff. It is very useful for auditors and clients alike." - David E. Adams, CPA, Partner, Geffen Mesher & Company "This book is an essential guide...and provides very practical advice about what to do(and what not to do) in making an investment in internal controls. The author's expensive experience as an audit firm partner and standard-setter are evident in the details provided. I also recommend this book to teaches of auditing and systems, as it provides a useful background to...how internal controls really should work in today's business environment." - Jean C. Bedard, CPA, PhD, Timothy B. Harbert Professor of Accountancy, Bentley College

Fraud can happen anywhere-even in the most successful companies. Most businesses, large and small, lose an average of 5% of their annual gross revenues to insider fraud. The worst part? The Thief in Your Company is most likely the person you trust the most. Forensic accountant Tiffany Couch is a sleuth with an adding machine. She has seen theft in many forms, but what sticks with her the most is not the fraud schemes or the dollar losses. It's the victims who all experience the same emotional devastation that these crimes leave in their wake. And her warning: It can happen to you. The Thief in Your Company will educate you and entertain you, pull at your heart strings, and convince you to put her time-tested security blueprint into practice. All types and sizes of organizations will learn how to: Be familiar with and protect against the most common fraud schemes Recognize who the typical fraudsters are Leave the door open for whistleblowers to report suspicious activity Take specific actionable steps if fraudulent activity is discovered Understand the emotional impacts of financial crimes The impacts of fraud are financially and emotionally devastating. Taking simple actionable steps will help companies recover, gain peace of mind, and take their power back.

Policymakers and program managers are continually seeking ways to improve accountability in achieving an entity's mission. A key factor in improving accountability in achieving an entity's mission is to implement an effective internal control system. An effective internal control system helps an entity adapt to shifting environments, evolving demands, changing risks, and new priorities. As programs change and entities strive to improve operational processes and implement new technology, management continually evaluates its internal control system so that it is effective and updated when necessary. Section 3512 (c) and (d) of Title 31 of the United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Managers? Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA)) requires the Comptroller General to issue standards for internal control in the federal government.

This research contributes to the very limited number of qualitative studies on the development and implementation of internal controls in nonprofit organizations. The study explored the understanding of perceptions regarding internal controls in cash contributions from nonprofit organizational employees, Executive Directors/CEOs, and board members. This embedded single-case study consists of eight nonprofit organizations located in the Commonwealth of Virginia of the United States. Eleven themes of board governance, communication, contributions, development of policies and procedures, efficiency, fiduciary duty, leadership, resource availability, separation of duties, training, and trust were identified through interviews, review of policies and procedures for cash receipts and deposits, review of IRS Form 990s, and field notes. This study revealed that there continues to be need for greater awareness and understanding of internal controls by nonprofit organizations. In addition, understanding of the roles and responsibilities by both management and board members for financial reporting, along with assessment risk of fraud is noted. The conclusions suggest accounting practitioners should seek to work with smaller nonprofits in identifying where internal control weaknesses exist in cash handling and to provide training and support for understanding financial reporting and assessing fraud risk.

Is your nonprofit organization ready for increased scrutiny, reporting requirements, regulations, and increased expectations from donors? This combination reference/workbook prepares you and shows you how Sarbanes-Oxley best practices can benefit your organization. It includes: A structured description of Sarbanes-Oxley and its implications for nonprofits Detailed discussions on governance, including financial literacy for board members, new standards of accountability for boards, and best practices for nonprofit management Sample documents, procedures, and frameworks to help you implement best practices Worksheets, forms, and resource materials in each chapter A "walk-through" of typical financial statements and sample documents such as a Conflict of Interest policy, board orientation curriculum, a Whistleblower Protection policy, a Document Preservation policy, and a fundraising plan. Implementing proven best practices stemming from Sarbanes-Oxley can diminish organizational dysfunction, promote a solid infrastructure, and propel your organization to the platinum standard of operations and governance, giving your organization the competitive advantage in today's demanding nonprofit environment.