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Description

Corporate Fraud: Spotting the Signals, Mapping the Risks and Responding

Move beyond blind trust and build a framework that makes fraud difficult to commit and easy to see

  • 2 days — 14 h
  • In-person or virtual
  • Intermediate
  • Up to 6 participants

Internal fraud is rarely uncovered by a routine control: it surfaces during someone's absence, a system migration or a whistleblowing report. Whether it involves a fictitious supplier, manipulated expense claims or misappropriation by the longest-serving member of the team, the patterns repeat themselves yet organisations tend to see them late.

Over two days, auditors and internal control professionals are placed in a detection role. Participants analyse the most common fraud schemes, map the areas of vulnerability within their own organisation and design targeted controls at the points every transaction must pass through. They also work on the course of action to follow once a suspicion arises.

Learning objectives

  • Analyse the fraud schemes most frequently encountered in companies
  • Map the vulnerabilities associated with procurement, sales and payroll processes
  • Design detection controls positioned at mandatory control points
  • Use data testing to bring anomalies to the surface
  • Define the course of action to follow as soon as a suspicion emerges

What makes this programme different

Fraud schemes are dismantled step by step from the perpetrator's point of view
A vulnerability map is built on the participants' own processes
Simple, repeatable data tests are developed during the session

Programme

1Understanding Why People Cross the Line

What makes fraud possible

  • Conditions present when fraud occurs: opportunity, pressure and rationalisation
  • The difference between error, negligence and deliberate fraud
  • Profiles and circumstances observed in documented cases
  • The effect of periods of pressure on the level of risk

2Fraud Schemes by Process

Recognising the classic set-ups

  • Fictitious suppliers and interception of bank account details
  • Manipulation of expense claims and low-value purchases
  • Fraud involving sales, discounts and credit notes
  • Payroll fraud and manipulation of third-party accounts
  • Misstatement of financial information

3Mapping and Controlling

Placing controls where they make a difference

  • Identifying the mandatory control points within each process
  • Segregation of duties and review of system access rights
  • Automated controls and data testing on vendor master files and payments
  • Warning indicators and periodic review of exceptions

4Responding to a Suspicion

Securing evidence and protecting people

  • First reflexes for preserving evidence and restricting access
  • Conducting interviews and the limits to observe
  • Whistleblowing arrangements and protection of the reporting party
  • Internal follow-up and coordination with external advisers
  • Lessons learned and strengthening of the framework

Who is it for

Internal auditors · internal control professionals · accounting and finance managers · compliance officers and managers exposed to payment or procurement cycles.

Prerequisites

Familiarity with the accounting and internal control cycles of your own organisation.

Dates & locations

36 scheduled dates between November 2026 and December 2027. Seats are confirmed in the order enquiries are received.

November 2026

December 2026

January 2027

February 2027

March 2027

April 2027

May 2027

June 2027

September 2027

October 2027

November 2027

December 2027

None of these dates suit you? We open additional sessions on request, and any programme can be run privately for your team.

Practical details

Before the programme
Online positioning questionnaire. Your development objectives are shared with the trainer, who tailors the practical case studies to your context.
Teaching methods
Theoretical input, workshops and practical case studies. Digital course materials and method sheets provided.
Assessment
Multiple-choice tests and role-play exercises. Assessment of learning at the start and end of the programme, with immediate and 60-day follow-up evaluations.
After the programme
One year of access to the e-learning platform. Self-assessment of the skills acquired and a 30-day follow-up session with your trainer.
How to register
Registration online or on the basis of a quotation.
Lead time
11 working days after confirmation of registration.
Accessibility
Accessible to people of determination. Contact our accessibility coordinator to design a suitable solution: contact@mpf-academy.ae
Start dates
Rolling intake: in addition to the scheduled sessions, this programme can start on request.