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"How can you argue with the core principles of Lean, that you focus on what provides value to your customer and eliminate work that is not necessary (muda)? Internal auditors need to understand not only who their primary customers are, but what is valuable to them – which in most cases is assurance that the risks that matter to the achievement of objectives are properly managed. We need to communicate what they need to know and not what we want to say. This incessant focus on the customer and the efficient production of a valued product should extend to every internal audit team. How else can we ensure that we optimize the use of our limited resources to address the dynamic business and risk environment within which our organizations operate?" Norman Marks, GRC Thought Leader Using lean techniques to enhance value add and reduce waste in internal auditing Lean Auditing is a practical guide to maximising value and efficiency in internal audit through the application of lean techniques. It is an ideal book for anyone interested in understanding what progressive, value adding audit can be like. It is also ideal for anyone wondering whether audit activities can be streamlined or better co-ordinated with other activities. The book contains practical advise from the author's experience as CAE of AstraZeneca PLC; from his work as a consultant specializing in this field; as well as insights from leading CAEs in the UK, US and elsewhere. In addition, there are important insights from thought leaders such as Richard Chambers (IIA US) and Norman Marks (GRC thought leader) and Chris Baker (Technical Manager of the IIA UK). Increasing pressure on resources is driving a need for greater efficiency in all areas of business, and Internal Audit is no exception. Lean techniques can help streamline the workflow, but having only recently been applied to IA, lack the guidance available for other techniques. Lean Auditing fills this need by combining expert instruction and actionable advice that helps Internal Auditors: Benchmark their efficiency against lean ways of working Understand warning signs of waste and lower added value Understanding practical ways of working that improve added value and reduce waste Gain confidence about progressive ways of working in internal audit Understand how improved ways of working in audit can positively impact the culture of the wider organization One of the keys to the lean audit is finding out exactly what the stakeholder wants, and eliminating everything else. Scaling back certain operations can delineate audit from advisory, and in the process, dramatically improve crucial outcomes. To this end, Lean Auditing is the key to IA efficiency.
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Foreword by James D. Ratley, CFE, President and CEO, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Beyond the basics—tools for applied fraud management In Exposing Fraud: Skills, Process, and Practicalities, anti-fraud expert Ian Ross provides both ideas and practical guidelines for applying sound techniques for fraud investigation and detection and related project management. The investigative principles in this book are truly universal and can be applied anywhere in the world to deal with any of the range of fraud types prevalent in today's business environments. Topics covered include cyber fraud, the psychology of fraud, data analysis techniques, and the role of corporate and international culture in criminal behavior, among many others. Ensure an optimal outcome to fraud investigations by mastering real-world skills, from interviewing and handling evidence to conducting criminal proceedings. As technologies and fraud techniques become more complex, fraud investigation must increase in complexity as well. However, this does not mean that time-tested strategies for detecting criminals have become obsolete. Instead, it means that a hands-on approach to fraud detection and management is needed more than ever. The book does just that: Takes a unique practical approach to the business of detecting, understanding, and dealing with fraud of all types Aids in the development of key skills, including conducting investigations and managing fraud risk Covers issues related to ethically and efficiently handling impulsive and systemic fraud, plus investigating criminals who may be running multiple scams Addresses fraud from a global perspective, considering cultural and psychological factors that influence fraudsters Unlike other fraud investigation books on the market, Exposing Fraud develops the ethical and legal foundation required to apply theory and advice in real-world settings. From the simple to the complex, this book demonstrates the most effective application of anti-fraud techniques.
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Deliver increased value by embedding quality into internal audit activities Internal Audit Quality: Developing a Quality Assurance and Improvement Program is a comprehensive and authoritative guide to better practice internal auditing. Written by a global expert in audit quality, this guide is the first to provide complete coverage of the elements that comprise an effective internal audit quality assurance and improvement program. Readers will find practical solutions for monitoring and measuring internal audit performance drawn from The IIA's International Standards for the Professional Practice of Internal Auditing, and complemented by advice and case studies from leading audit practitioners from five different continents. Major corporate and financial collapses over the past decade have challenged the value of internal audit. With an increased focus on internal audit's role in good governance, management is increasingly demanding that internal audit provides assurance of the quality of its own activities. The IIA standards provide a framework for audit quality in the form of mandatory guidance . Recent research indicates that the majority of internal audit functions do not fully comply with the standards and, as a result, are not servicing the needs of their organizations as well as they might. Internal Audit Quality offers a roadmap to internal audit quality, providing readers the guidance they need to: Embed quality into all elements of internal audit from strategic and operational planning down to day-to-day tasks Create well-defined internal audit programs and procedures Independently self-assess internal audit quality and performance Conform with the IIA standards and better practice Provide assurance over internal audit efficiency and effectiveness Deliver value by meeting stakeholder expectations As a key component of good governance, internal audit is on the rise. The days of retrospective, compliance-focused auditing is a thing of the past. Organizations expect more of internal audit, and many internal audit activities are accepting the challenge. Rather than relying on audit supervision and external assessments, modern auditors are embedding quality into audit activities to create effective programs. For the auditor looking to distinguish themselves as leading edge, Internal Audit Quality provides the guidance that enables the right work, at the right time, in the right way.
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Real case studies on insurance fraud written by real fraud examiners Insurance Fraud Casebook is a one-of-a-kind collection consisting of actual cases written by fraud examiners out in the field. These cases were hand selected from hundreds of submissions and together form a comprehensive picture of the many types of insurance fraud—how they are investigated, across industries and throughout the world. Entertaining and enlightening, the cases cover every type of insurance fraud, from medical fraud to counterfeiting. Each case outlines how the fraud was engineered, how it was investigated, and how perpetrators were brought to justice Written for fraud examiners, auditors, and insurance auditors Other titles by Wells: Fraud Fighter and Corporate Fraud Handbook, Third Edition Edited by Dr. Joseph T. Wells, the founder and Chairman of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the world's leading anti-fraud organization, this book reveals the dangers of insurance fraud and the measures that can be taken to prevent it from happening in the first place.
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FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT Practical Guidance and Implementation «Writing Fair Value Measurement was a monumental task fraught with controversy not only in the U.S., but also abroad. Having coauthored a book with Mark as well as written one myself, I was even more impressed that Mark was able to navigate these fair value minefields and produce a work that will be a tremendous help to accountants and non-accountants alike. If you are looking for a 'one-stop' book on fair value measurement, this is it!» —Neil J. Beaton, CPA/ABV, CFA, ASA, Managing Director, Valuation Services, Alvarez & Marsal «In recent years, the FASB and the IASB have added many requirements for various assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value. In this book, Zyla clearly describes how to implement fair value measurement and how investors and creditors should interpret it. The crisp writing and illuminating analysis will help readers to grasp the essence of fair value accounting and to apply it wisely.» —J. Edward Ketz, Associate Professor of Accounting, Pennsylvania State University «The focus of the book is on fair value measurement based on level 3 inputs. This is a critical area of valuations for financial reporting due to a false comfort given by routine application of evaluating models and assumptions without real possibilities of calibration. Mark Zyla offers an extraordinary help in understanding the reliability of the inputs and the outputs of the different methodologies and the inherent biases in each of them. The book is a precious support for better valuation both in U.S. GAAP and in IFRS fair value reporting.» —Mauro Bini, Full Professor of Corporate Finance, Bocconi University; Chairman, Management Board OIV (Organismo Italiano di Valutazione) Essential guidance on the fair value measurement process Now in a second edition, Fair Value Measurement: Practical Guidance and Implementation helps you succeed in understanding the fair value accounting rules that entities must follow. The result is a resource that you can rely on to understand the importance of valuation and the concepts that define it. In basic, nontechnical language, author Mark Zyla presents practical direction for best practices of financial valuation as well as for understanding the many FASB pronouncements involving fair value. An essential guide for auditors and valuation specialists, Fair Value Measurement: Practical Guidance and Implementation, Second Edition brings you up to speed on what fair value really means.
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Essential guidance for the financial auditor in need of a working knowledge of IT If you're a financial auditor needing working knowledge of IT and application controls, Automated Auditing Financial Applications for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses provides you with the guidance you need. Conceptual overviews of key IT auditing issues are included, as well as concrete hands-on tips and techniques. Inside, you'll find background and guidance with appropriate reference to material published by ISACA, AICPA, organized to show the increasing complexity of systems, starting with general principles and progressing through greater levels of functionality. Provides straightforward IT guidance to financial auditors seeking to develop quality and efficacy of software controls Offers small- and middle-market business auditors relevant IT coverage Covers relevant applications, including MS Excel, Quickbooks, and report writers Written for financial auditors practicing in the small to midsized business space The largest market segment in the United States in quantity and scope is the small and middle market business, which continues to be the source of economic growth and expansion. Uniquely focused on the IT needs of auditors serving the small to medium sized business, Automated Auditing Financial Applications for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses delivers the kind of IT coverage you need for your organization.
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Open the books on accounting with this friendly guide Want to make sense of accounting basics but don't know where to begin? This new edition of Accounting For Dummies helps you speak your accountant's language with ease—minimizing confusion as you maximize profits. Written in plain English, it quickly gets you up to speed on how to manage inventory, report income and expenses for private or public companies, evaluate profit margins, analyze business strengths and weaknesses, manage budgets for a better bottom line, and so much more. Whether you're a small business owner, a manager with budget responsibilities, or just want to understand your 401(k) statements, this friendly guide helps you get a handle on all those columns of numbers—without losing your cool. From tips for getting the most out of reading a financial report to ways to analyze and manage profit—and everything in between—it gives you the jargon-free introduction to accounting you need to make sense of those numbers. Get the scoop on accounting basics and standards Read and understand financial statements with ease Report income and expenses for public or private sectors Create great financials and boost your bottom line If the thought of accounting gives you anxiety, you're in luck! Accounting For Dummies is your no-nonsense ticket to success!
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The clarity and guidance valuation analysts have been thirsting for The business appraisal community regularly names the valuation of pass-through entities as a major issue of concern. Courts, appraisers, and the IRS have long been at odds on the topic, and the contention within the appraisal community itself over methods and inputs further complicates the issue. Valuing Pass-Through Entities provides clarity for the analyst tasked with valuation, offering clear explanations of the different perspectives and approaches to the process. Valuing Pass-Through Entities cuts through the chatter to: Explain the advantages and limitations of different types of pass-through entities Analyze the different viewpoints currently dividing the appraisal community Gain a fresh perspective on landmark cases Explain how to properly utilize a court-tested model Examine detailed sensitivity analyses of different inputs under the income and market approaches The book includes illustrative examples, templates, and a useful technical supplement, plus case studies that demonstrate the real-world effects of various pass-through entity valuation methods and inputs. Detailed analyses and an easy-to-apply model simplify the process while positively affecting outcomes. The companion website provides the text of landmark court decisions, a blog featuring industry trends and tidbits, additional articles, and the insight of the author and other industry leaders. Valuation requires the successful juggling of multiple variables, many of which can have a major impact on value. Analysts need to know how to balance each factor and apply the appropriate rates and discounts, but a lack of standard practice often leaves the issue too subjective. Valuing Pass-Through Entities clears the air, providing real-world guidelines and tools.
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The easy way to get a grip on cost accounting Critical in supporting strategic business decisions and improving profitability, cost accounting is arguably one of the most important functions in the accounting field. For business students, cost accounting is a required course for those seeking an accounting degree and is a popular elective among other business majors. Cost Accounting For Dummies tracks to a typical cost accounting course and provides in-depth explanations and reviews of the essential concepts you'll encounter in your studies: how to define costs as direct materials, direct labor, fixed overhead, variable overhead, or period costs; how to use allocation methodology to assign costs to products and services; how to evaluate the need for capital expenditures; how to design a budget model that forecast changes in costs based on expected activity levels; and much more. Tracks to a typical cost accounting course Includes practical, real-world examples Walks you though homework problems with detailed, easy-to-understand answers If you're currently enrolled in a cost accounting course, this hands-on, friendly guide gives you everything you need to master this critical aspect of accounting.
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The easy way to master a managerial accounting course Are you enrolled in a managerial accounting class and finding yourself struggling? Fear not! Managerial Accounting For Dummies is the go-to study guide to help you easily master the concepts of this challenging course. You'll discover the basic concepts, terminology, and methods to identify, measure, analyze, interpret, and communicate information in the pursuit of an organization's goals. Tracking to a typical managerial accounting course and packed with easy-to-understand explanations and real-life examples, Managerial Accounting For Dummies explores cost behavior, cost analysis, profit planning and control measures, accounting for decentralized operations, capital budgeting decisions, ethical challenges in managerial accounting, and much more. Covers the key concepts and tools needed to communicate accounting information for managerial decision-making within an organization Plain-English explanations of managerial accounting terminology and methods Tracks to a typical college-level managerial accounting course Managerial Accounting For Dummies makes it fast and easy to grasp the concepts needed to score your highest in a managerial accounting course.
