Skip to Content

Fraud risks and COVID-19: Where to look for clues

January 19, 2022 Article 2 min read
Authors:
Eric Conforti Amanda Fletcher

Pandemic-related changes in the work environment have triggered an increase in fraud. Forensic accounting experts Amanda Fletcher, Eric Conforti, and Gary Zeune discuss the trends and how to combat fraud in your organization via the Kansas Society of CPAs.

View of an office chair next to an empty desk.Whenever an organizational environment changes, the opportunities for fraud increase. However, finding fraud can feel a bit like detective work. Perpetrators almost always conceal their fraud, so their scheme may not be obvious to others in the organization. By the time the fraud is discovered, it’s often too late and the money is gone.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a sudden change to various work environments due to a rapid widespread pivot to remote work, and many individuals faced unexpected economic hardship — a perfect opportunity and rationalization to commit fraud.

Related Thinking

Business professional speaking with advisor.
March 28, 2023

Navigating changes to accounting for loan modifications under ASU 2022-02

Article 5 min read
View of private meeting room.
March 22, 2023

The dozen accounting controls all organizations need

Article 4 min read
Risk
March 21, 2023

Turning risk into opportunity: Five questions to ask

Article 8 min read