The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) has introduced the concept of a fraud tree.  The tree delineates three major categories of fraud as:

  • Corruption
  • Asset Misappropriation
  • Financial Statement Fraud

This course will evaluate the concepts that fall within asset misappropriation and are directly related to the fraudulent disbursements component of the fraud tree.  We will examine the various components of corruption and solutions that can be used to mitigate corruption impacts.

Fraudulent disbursements are the most common form of asset misappropriation. They occur when an employee uses his position of employment to cause a payment for some inappropriate purpose. The fraud tree breaks fraudulent disbursements into the following categories:

  • Billing
  • Payroll
  • Expense reimbursement
  • Check tampering
  • Register reimbursements

Each scheme has its unique characteristics depending on the industry the fraudulent act is perpetrated in. This session will delve further into each of these methods and provide possible solutions to mitigate frauds of this type.

Note: Information within this course comes from readily available public domain documents and is utilized by the trainer as a supplement for relaying the course content.

Learning Objectives

Explore the definition of fraudulent disbursements and recognize how they impact a business.

Explore the various types of fraudulent disbursements and identify potential solutions for each category including:

  • Billing
  • Payroll
  • Expense reimbursement
  • Check tampering
  • Register reimbursement
Last updated/reviewed: August 19, 2023

Included In Certifications

This course is included in the following Certification Programs:

11 CoursesBusiness Fraud Identification and Prevention Certification

  1. Introduction to Forensic Accounting
  2. The Fraud Triangle
  3. Fraud: Focus on Corruption
  4. Fraud: Focus on Fraudulent Disbursements
  5. Fraud: Focus on Cash And Assets
  6. Fraud: Focus on Inventory
  7. Fraud: Focus on Financial Statement Fraud – Part One
  8. Fraud: Focus on Financial Statement Fraud – Part Two
  9. Fraud and COSO 2013
  10. Top Occupation Fraud Schemes - ACFE Report to the Nations
  11. Fraud Risk Assessments
42 Reviews (162 ratings)

Reviews

5
Anonymous Author
Fraudulent expense disbursements may happens at any kind of organization. This course will provides interest and necessary knowledge about the most common fraud type, also provides the techniques on how to identify it. Good course for everyone in professional organizations.

5
Anonymous Author
A great refresher course regarding fraudulent expense disbursements. It discusses the different types of fraudulent expenses, as well as, the techniques on how to identify these red flags and the best solutions on how to manage them.

5
Member's Profile
Lynn, Just jumped into the Fraud courses you have and I will be refreshed on what I have learned over the years. As usual the course is comprehensive and concise. Well worth the time spent. Thank you, Larry

4
Anonymous Author
Another great fraud course from Lynn Fountain - the material was logical organised and clearly presented, moved at an appropriate pace and included real-world situations where such fraud schemes occurred.

5
Member's Profile
GREAT OVERVIEW FOR AN ORGANIZATION

5
Anonymous Author
This course discusses the fraudulent disbursement topic using a well-structured agenda, thus it is easy to follow and oversee the various disbursement scenarios.

4
Anonymous Author
Overall great course for high-level fraudulent disbursements. Highly recommend for auditors and employees who handle disbursements and oversee that process.

5
Anonymous Author
This portion of the ACFE Fraude Tree provides valuable information that defines and supports the various areas of Fraud Disbursements. Great course!

4
Anonymous Author
Good explanation of the fraud types associated with the reimbursement processes and controls that can be put in place to mitigate those risks.

5
Member's Profile
This course was a good introduction to Fraud associated with register disbursements. Entry level auditors would benefit from this material.

5
Member's Profile
Excellent like all your courses. The course goes into specific details which help the auditor to perform his/her work more efficiently.

5
Anonymous Author
The presenter explained the materials very well. The material given was all relevant to the course. I will take more of her courses.

4
Member's Profile
The course really explained the situations of fraudulent disbursements very effectively. Provided a lot of knowledge on this subject

4
Anonymous Author
I liked very much that the instructor gave several real life examples to demonstrate different possibilities what could happen.

4
Anonymous Author
This is an interesting training on fraudulent disbursements. Nothing surprised me. This training will be beneficial to everyone.

5
Anonymous Author
This course was beneficial for me as I analyze the various disbursement processes at my company in my risk management role.

5
Anonymous Author
This was a great and interesting course on fraudulent disbursements and explained each of the various areas very clearly.

4
Anonymous Author
I like how in each section different examples were used to identify the many ways to commit Fraudulent Disbursements

5
Anonymous Author
This course was beneficial, because of how much fraud has become a problem in the work place, and in everyday life.

5
Member's Profile
Covers a lot of ground. Very thorough review. Suggestions take time to implement, but are well worth the effort.

5
Anonymous Author
An excellent follow-up to the fraud seminar series. can be studied both separately and together with other parts

5
Anonymous Author
Great course from Lynn - one of the best instructors on Illumeo. Great examples and stories which are priceless.

5
Anonymous Author
A topic for internal auditors to consider and implement. Detailed presentation with good and usable examples.

5
Anonymous Author
The course provides plenty of insights on fraud/fraudulent disbursements and related controls to put in place

5
Anonymous Author
Good overview of the topic - well presented with useful handouts for future reference. Good series on fraud.

4
Anonymous Author
Good overall course and coverage for this area. Overall I felt as though learning objectives were met well.

4
Anonymous Author
The material is very concise and very helpful for those who are doing internal controls documentation.

5
Member's Profile
I really like all of Lynn's classes. This is another good one. Do yourself a favor and take it.

4
Anonymous Author
The course provided a nice overview of disbursement related frauds in an easy to follow manner.

5
Anonymous Author
This course was well prepared and well presented with excellent insights and practical examples.

5
Anonymous Author
Very informative.Got to know how the internal controls can be weakened for fraudalent benefits

4
Anonymous Author
Good course for the various fraudulent schemes that are appearing everyday in the workplace

5
Anonymous Author
This course offered an effective overview of the most common fraud schemes.

4
Anonymous Author
It was good to be reminded of the types of fraud and what to look out for

4
Anonymous Author
This course provides a good understanding of fraudulent disbursements.

5
Anonymous Author
Class was very informative. Clear and concise examples used.

5
Anonymous Author
Good overvview with relevant information clearly explained

5
Anonymous Author
This course is well developed, structured, and presented.

4
Member's Profile
Great review and refresher on Fraudulent Disbursements.

5
Anonymous Author
Very good presenter. Provides good detail and examples.

5
Member's Profile
Good overview of fraud as it relates to disbursements.

5
Anonymous Author
Thorough overview of Fraudulent Disbursements Fraud

Prerequisites
Course Complexity: Intermediate

No Advanced Preparation or Prerequisites are needed for this course. However, it is recommended to take the other courses in the series prior to completing this one.

Education Provider Information
Company: Illumeo, Inc., 75 East Santa Clara St., Suite 1215, San Jose, CA 95113
Contact: For more information regarding this course, including complaint and cancellation policies, please contact our offices at (408) 400- 3993 or send an e-mail to .
Instructor for this course
Course Syllabus
INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW
  Introduction to Fraud Tree: Focus on Fraudulent Disbursements4:41
Focus on Fraudulent Disbursements
  Fraudulent Disbursements7:40
  Billing Solutions13:18
  Payroll Schemes4:14
  Ghost Employees13:59
  Commissions & Workers Comp6:03
  Inflated Payments Timesheet Fraud4:12
  Worker Misclassification2:58
  Expense Reimbursement8:13
  Check Tampering10:01
CONCLUSION
  Register Disbursements6:49
CONTINUOUS PLAY
  Fraud Tree: Focus on Fraudulent Disbursements 1:22:09
SUPPORTING MATERIALS
  Slides: Fraud Tree: Focus on Fraudulent DisbursementsPDF
  Fraud Tree: Focus on Fraudulent Disbursements Glossary/IndexPDF
REVIEW AND TEST
  REVIEW QUESTIONSquiz
 FINAL EXAMexam