Shaking the Fraud Tree: Smurfs, Cons and Sweet Little Old Ladies Teaching Forensic Accounting thru Real Life Local Cases

• In Event: Reception with Effective Learning Strategies Displays
  In Poster Session: Poster 11

Abstract

The presentation is a follow-up to last year’s presentation on Teaching Forensic Accounting Using the Chemistry Lab. This year, focus will be on the many ways Forensic Accounting may be taught using real world examples.
Beginning with unremarkable, sweet, yet not so innocent little old ladies to the wily smurfs of money laundering to corporate top management using their power and prestige to overcome internal controls, students will study the fraud tree and fraud triangle to discover and examine fraud.
Specific activities will include researching the background of the fraudster, the fraud committed, the rationale for the crime, how it was discovered, and the punishment.
The topic of money laundering will be reinforced thru role play of the criminal, Papa Smurf, and the worker smurfs. If successful, this will be presented at the annual academic showcase.
Other activities will include having forensic accountants as guest speakers and the viewing of films dealing with accounting fraud. These films may include All the Queen’s Horses, Wall Street, Boiler Room, and Margin Call.
The goal is to provide the skills necessary while engaging the students in subject matter.

Author

• Christine Betts, Franklin Pierce University