Analyzing procurement fraud in the US Navy

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanita M. Rendon ◽  
Rene G. Rendon
Keyword(s):  
Internal Control ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Public Agencies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Contract Administration ◽  
Source Selection ◽  
The Us ◽  
Us Navy ◽  
Contracting Phase ◽  
Procurement Fraud

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze an ongoing fraud case in the US Navy involving the procurement of ship-husbanding services. The fraud acts will be analyzed from three perspectives–contract life cycle, internal controls and fraud schemes. Design/methodology/approach A data search was conducted to collect publicly available documents issued by the US Department of Justice (DOJ). A content analysis was used to analyze the fraud acts by aligning them with the contracting phase, internal control component and fraud scheme category. Findings The majority of the fraud occurred in the contracting phases of contract administration, followed by procurement planning and then source selection. The majority of the fraud occurred because of internal control component weaknesses in the control environment followed by information and communications. The majority of the fraud was aligned with the fraud scheme of collusion, followed by billing, cost and pricing. Research limitations/implications Because this is an ongoing investigation, additional DOJ information will become available and provide additional insight on the contracting phase, internal control component and fraud scheme. Practical implications The analysis suggests that the Navy’s lack of trained personnel, capable processes and effective internal controls result in the increased vulnerability to procurement fraud in its husbanding support services program. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to analyze fraud through the lens of auditability theory, specifically by the contracting phase and internal control component. Public agencies can enhance fraud detection and deterrence efforts by understanding how weaknesses in contracting processes and internal controls may increase an organization’s vulnerabilities for fraudulent activities.

Procurement fraud in the US Department of Defense

2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (6/7) ◽  
pp. 748-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juanita M. Rendon ◽  
Rene G. Rendon
Keyword(s):  
Internal Control ◽  
Department Of Defense ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Contract Management ◽  
Monitoring And Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
Us Government ◽  
Procurement Fraud

Purpose This paper aims to explore selected real-world procurement fraud incidents in the US Department of Defense (DoD) and the implications of these incidents to the DoD’s contracting processes and internal controls. Design/methodology/approach This paper analyzes actual procurement fraud incidents and identifies in which phase of the contract management process the fraud occurred and which internal control component was associated with the fraud scheme. Findings The fraud incidents generally occurred during the source selection and the contract administration phases and involved the control activities, monitoring and control environment components of internal control. Research limitations/implications The fraud incidents are analyzed using contract management and internal control frameworks adopted by the US Government. Recommendations are developed for improving contracting processes and internal controls as an approach to deterring and detecting procurement fraud and may be applicable to other international public procurement bodies. Practical implications Governments are ensuring auditability in public procurement as a means of improving agency governance. The research findings suggest that an emphasis on capable contracting processes and effective internal controls should be adopted for fighting procurement fraud. Social implications Ensuring auditability in public procurement has a far-reaching effect in society. The value of capable processes and effective internal controls is gaining much attention in public agencies, as they strive for accountability, integrity and transparency in their governance processes. Originality/value By emphasizing capable processes and effective internal controls, governments can apply a strategic approach to detecting and deterring fraud and thus ensure that government monies are spent in the most effective and efficient ways.

Corruption as distinct crime: the need to reconceptualise internal control on controlling bureaucratic occupational fraud

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ach Maulidi ◽  
Jake Ansell
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Financial Statement Fraud ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Occupational Fraud ◽  
Asset Protection ◽  
Control Framework

Purpose The purpose of this study is to provide theoretical guidance that enables local governments to deal with occupational fraud. Design/methodology/approach The quantitative approach is used to examine the efficacy of the Committee of Sponsoring Organisations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) internal control framework in tackling occupational fraud in local government. To achieve the goals, the authors performed a survey of the Indonesian auditor institutions. Findings It is not appropriate to argue that all types of local government fraud can be deterred by a single internal control. The study suggests that COSO internal controls are not effective for dealing with corruption cases. However, the authors do find the efficacy of those controls are obvious for controlling asset misappropriation and financial statement fraud. This result indicates that if the COSO internal control framework is only designed for routine financial control and asset protection, it significantly and negatively influences its efficacy to deal with occupational fraud. This study has both theoretical and managerial implications, discussed separately. Originality/value In the field of prevention, the authors cannot make generalised theories and approaches for dealing with occupational fraud. Whilst previous authors have offered fraud deterrents in terms of internal controls, they have failed to realise the need to understand their effectiveness for particular forms of fraud. This paper sheds light on the effectiveness of internal controls in achieving their goals. This has both practical applications and stimulates theoretical insights.

Is it suitable for your local governments?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nanang Shonhadji ◽  
Ach Maulidi
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Risk Management ◽  
Control System ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Control Systems ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fraud Mitigation

Purpose The purpose of this study is to extend existing theory by developing a contingency theory for the public sector and to provide a landscape for local government to deal with white-collar crime. In recent years, the theme of risk management and internal controls, which is popular in the industry and private sector, has been mirrored by public sector organisations. Of course, it is to improve fraud risk control systems. We have to accept that public sector organisations have a growing need to control the (fraud) risks in a rapidly changing economic environment. Within this situation an effective internal control is becoming strategically important in many organisations, as it is proving to be a cost-efficient way to manage these risks in everyday operations. Here, the authors conducted a case study on the risk management control system at an Indonesian local government. Design/methodology/approach This study uses mixed methods, integrating quantitative and qualitative data – in-depth interviews and questionnaires were required to address the social phenomenon being investigated. Findings This study found that the structure of the control system fits a generic model, in which control systems are fundamental factors to all departments. It shows that control systems can support managers to align employee capabilities, activities and performance with the organisation’s goals and missions. In addition, the authors could identify, risk assessment and monitoring activities are effective measures of controlling organisation’s activities, and potentially could diagnose potential (fraud) risks, deterring to the achievement of organisational aims. Ideally, those aspects should be performed on a continuous basis if organisations want to prevent the spread of numerous potential menaces. In other words, if an organisation fails to carry out risk assessment correctly, it will result in unidentified possibility of fraud risks. The more explicit the risk assessment, the more effective the detection of fraud. Practical implications It can be alternative to consider Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission’s internal control as fraud mitigation in local government. Originality/value This study offers new directive discussion about internal controls as notion of fraud mitigation.

Tensions between compliance, internal controls and ethics in the domain of project governance

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 845-865
Author(s):  
Paulo Sergio Scoleze Ferrer ◽  
Graziela Darla Araujo Galvão ◽  
Marly Monteiro de Carvalho
Keyword(s):  
Internal Control ◽  
Project Success ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Project Governance

PurposeThis study aims to investigate how the dynamics of compliance, internal controls and ethics can generate tensions in the domain of project governance. Moreover, it investigates the tensions between these constructs and the search for project success from a practice-based perspective.Design/methodology/approachA methodological approach is taken, with a case-based research carried out in a large European multinational company. Data were gathered through 21 interviews, between project managers and other key stakeholders, and documentary data from 64 projects for triangulation and critical analysis.FindingsAs a result, four patterns of tensions were identified: Tension A between compliance and project success, Tension B between internal controls and project success, Tension C between compliance and internal controls and Tension D between compliance and ethics.Research limitations/implicationsSome limitations should be acknowledged. The first, ontological, is inherent in the post-positivist perspective, accepting human subjectivity and the complexity of social reality intrinsic to research applied to the social sciences, respectively implying interpretive bias and incompleteness in the comprehension of the facts. The second limitation comes from the use of a single case study, in which singular contextual characteristics make it difficult to generalise the results.Practical implicationsThis study has implications for practice, as it highlights weaknesses that may occur in organisations owing to tensions between the elements of compliance, internal controls and ethics. This, therefore, implies ways of strengthening the consistency of project governance. The project governance domain and its tensions affect the project-success holistic view in both efficiency and effectiveness, since the elements of internal control and compliance can create tensions that favour one project success perspective to detriment of the others. Understanding the nature of tensions, their implications and the long-term holistic perspective can lead to better decisions by managers.Originality/valueThe results suggest that a formal code of ethics, a project management methodology, internal controls and a well-established training programme are not sufficient, because, in the practical context, the interaction between these elements creates tensions that impact their logical consistency lost when interacting with each other.

US Securities and Exchange Commission’s announcement of chief of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act unit signals possible anti-bribery enforcement focus on non-United States issuers

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-34
Author(s):  
James L. Sanders ◽  
Kyle Bahr ◽  
Calvin Chan ◽  
Charles Hewetson
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Legal Counsel ◽  
Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Playing Field ◽  
Additional Pressure ◽  
The Us

Purpose This paper explains how recent statements by the US Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC’s) leadership – including the new Chief of the SEC’s Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) Unit – signal the American regulator’s intent to “level the playing field” by stepping up its investigations and enforcement of companies worldwide and what non-US issuers can do to prepare. Design/methodology/approach Uses information included in the announcement naming Charles E. Cain as Chief of the SEC’s specialized FCPA Unit to lay out an argument that the Unit’s priorities may focus more on non-US companies than US companies. Findings Based on past statements and written accounts made by Mr Cain, and with the tacit support of other senior SEC officials, it can be assumed that non-US companies will experience additional scrutiny from the SEC, in the name of leveling the playing field. Furthermore, it can be assumed that the SEC will place additional pressure on anti-corruption regimes in other international jurisdictions to do their part in combatting corruption. Originality/value This paper is of value to personnel within non-US issuers who are responsible for creating and enforcing their organization’s anti-bribery or anti-corruption policies and internal controls. It is also of value to legal counsel interested in developing an understanding of the current priorities of the SEC as far as the FCPA is concerned.

The impact of corporate social responsibility and internal controls on stakeholders’ view of the firm and financial performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 246-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orhan Akisik ◽  
Graham Gal
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this study is to empirically examine whether two major stakeholder groups – customers and employees – consider third party-reviewed corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports and assurance on the quality of internal controls as value determinant in their decisions, and how their decisions influence financial performance through the halo effect of these reports. Design/methodology/approach Using Compustat North America and Global Reporting Initiative data, the authors used first-order autoregressive models over the period from 2006 to 2012. Findings The results indicate that the impacts of customers and employees on financial performance are influenced by third party-reviewed CSR reports and effective internal control. Moreover, it is found that the third party-reviewed CSR reports and effective internal control enable the persistence of financial performance. Social implications The findings have implications for stakeholders in terms of third party-reviewed CSR reports and effective internal control. The findings are important due to the influence that these stakeholders (customers and employees) have on the financial performance of firms and the impact that CSR actions can have on society as a whole. Originality/value To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that contributes to the literature by demonstrating that information about third party-reviewed CSR reports and internal control reviews may influence the perceptions of firms by two primary stakeholders – customers and employees.

Why did management and auditors fail to identify ineffective internal controls in their initial SOX 404 reviews?

2008 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 338-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kam C. Chan ◽  
Picheng Lee ◽  
Gim S. Seow
Keyword(s):  
Internal Control ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Corporate Boards ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Client Relationship

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the rationale for the failure of management and auditors to identify material internal control weaknesses (ICWs) in their initial Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) 404 reviews, resulting in subsequent restatement of their opinions.Design/methodology/approachThe paper focuses on the factors associated with the failure of management and auditor to identify material internal controls weaknesses in their initial SOX 404 reports. Logistic regression is run on a sample of 56 firms that reported material internal controls weaknesses in their amended internal control reports and a control group of 344 firms that reported material internal controls weaknesses (i.e. ineffective internal controls) in their initial internal control reports for 2004.FindingsThe results show that firm size, the use of a Big 4 auditor, the ratio of non‐audit to total fees, and the need for accounting restatements are positively associated with the probability to file an amended internal control report. The number of ICWs and the number of audit committee meetings are negatively associated with the probability to file an amended internal control report.Practical implicationsThe paper's findings suggest that regulators and corporate boards should consider providing more guidelines on audit committee practices in addition to the audit committee structure. For example, more guidance by the board is needed to ensure that the audit committee is active in overseeing the company's auditor–client relationship and its internal audit function.Originality/valueEmpirical findings on factors associated with the failure of management and auditor to identify material ICWs in their SOX 404 review can contribute to an understanding of factors affecting the efficiency of the SOX 404 review by attributing such failure to either inherent factors such as operational complexity and industry membership or to managerial choices in auditor‐client relationship and corporate governance issues. An understanding of these factors can help companies and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission in their efforts to improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of the current SOX 404 process.

Application of COSO framework in whistle-blowing activities of public higher-learning institutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-211
Author(s):  
Mohamad Ridhuan Mat Dangi ◽  
Anuar Nawawi ◽  
Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh Salin
Keyword(s):  
Internal Control ◽  
Document Analysis ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Preventive Action ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Whistle Blowing ◽  
Learning Institutions

Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine whether higher-learning institutions have sufficient internal controls to manage whistle-blowing or similar means when encountering repetitive complaints requiring similar corrective actions. This study attempts to classify complaints as per categories, criteria and components of the COSO framework using a checklist called self-assessment checklist of internal control kits so that complaint activities can be efficiently and effectively managed. Design/methodology/approach As a case study, one public university in Malaysia was selected, and 740 complaints were examined over a four-year period. Two methods of data collection, namely, document analysis and interviews, were used. Findings This study found no internal controls established to oversee the complaints that were received. Hence, repetitive complaints were received for similar areas and functions over a period. The application of COSO framework on complaints and whistle-blowing activities, however, led to more organised and visible problems; therefore, effective corrective and preventive action may be conducted. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted on only one organisation with several series of interviews and limited period of document analysis because of privacy and confidentiality of the information. Future research should collect and analyze data from a higher number of organisations with more respondents for interviews and a longer period for document analysis to obtain more accurate results. Practical implications This study provides further evidence on the suitability of COSO framework for different types of organisations, either public or private, and has been successfully adopted globally. It is effective not only to manage the operation and financial matters but also to manage complaints and whistle-blowing activities in organisations. Originality/value This study is original because it focuses on the current practices of internal control in government entities, particularly for organisations that operate as higher-learning institutions, which is scarce in the literature. In addition, this study analysed the drawbacks of internal control systems, especially in dealing with whistle-blower reports and complaints by referring to the list of complaints made by their stakeholders.

Whistleblowing in India: evidence from accounting students and professionals

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-146
Author(s):  
Richard G. Brody ◽  
Gaurav Gupta ◽  
Todd White
Keyword(s):  
Internal Control ◽  
Accounting Students ◽  
Western World ◽  
Accounting Ethics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Accounting Professionals ◽  
The Us ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
Univariate Analyses

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine whistleblowing behavior in the accounting community (students and professionals) in an emerging economy – India. Design/methodology/approach Using a case-based approach, data were collected from 263 accounting students and 268 accounting professionals in India. Findings Using multivariate and univariate analyses of variance and logistic regressions, the authors provided evidence on how accounting students and professionals behave in a whistleblowing environment. Specifically, the authors found mixed results when comparing the behavior of accounting students and professionals in a whistleblowing scenario. All subjects reflected a more collectivist attitude, although professionals were more concerned about “fixing” the identified internal control problem (a “shared” problem). Both groups expressed a firm desire to collect more evidence against the likely fraudster. Practical implications In this era of global offshoring of services including accounting, the current study makes significant contributions to the accounting ethics literature and the accounting profession by analyzing whistleblowing behavior from an Indian perspective – a highly underrepresented area in the accounting ethics literature. The study aims to guide companies and investors in the US and elsewhere that do business in India. Originality/value While the accounting literature has plenty of research on whistleblowing in the Western world, there is a dearth of literature on whistleblowing in India. This paper is among the first to document whistleblowing behavior in India, a country that prides itself on its vast availability of English-speaking and technically sound accounting professionals.

scholarly journals Pharmacy Internal Controls: A Call for Greater Vigilance during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Pharmacy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 216
Author(s):  
Andrew N. Mason
Keyword(s):  
Inventory Management ◽  
Internal Control ◽  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Pharmaceutical Drugs ◽  
Drug Diversion ◽  
Us Economy ◽  
The Us

For businesses that store physical goods, managing product inventories and financial cost accounting controls are critical. Pharmacies are under considerable scrutiny, due to the nature of their merchandise, making internal controls even more vital. Due to the emergence of COVID-19 and government mitigation strategies, the US economy has seen significant macro- and microeconomic effects. COVID-19 has changed the pharmacy working environment, which could theoretically increase rates of employee drug diversion. Therefore, better inventory management could reduce the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs from fraudulent and drug diversion activities. The author explored secondary findings to create a multidisciplinary conceptual analysis of the reasons why internal controls executed with greater diligence may be needed to avoid damaging financial, legal, and health outcomes. The author also provides a review of available internal control methods that can be used to mitigate diversion.

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