Fiscal Heroes Speak at Fraud and Forensic Accounting Education Conference

I will be presenting on Friday afternoon, May 14th.  My topic is: The Skeptical Professional

ATLANTA, GA–(Marketwire – March 30, 2010) – You might think of superheroes in uniforms or capes, but in these tough financial times, many heroes wear business suits. And instead of firearms, their weapons are spreadsheets, paper trails and databases. Dozens of forensic accountants, investigators, attorneys, educators and others who spend their lives stopping conmen and white collar criminals are coming to Atlanta in May to speak at the Fourth Annual Fraud and Forensic Accounting Education Conference. They’ll not only share their secrets of success, they’ll teach others to do what they did — only better.

Speakers will include:

  • FBI Special Agent Robert Herndon – a key player in the case that inspired the book and film The Informant
  • Former FBI Special Agent Joe Dooley, now with KPMG, who helped bust conman Martin Frankel
  • Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Nelan, who prosecutes mortgage fraud on a daily basis
  • Richard Barry of Sobel & Co., who led several successful investigations while with the New Jersey Bureau of Securities
  • Scott Hilsen of Alston & Bird, who helps investigators avoid legal pitfalls in fraud investigations
  • Francine McKenna, whose investigative Web site “re: The Auditors” takes a critical look at the role of the audit/accounting industry in global capital markets

The agenda for the three-day conference is filled with experienced knock-out crime-fighters, dedicated professionals, fiscal heroes from private enterprise and educators from academia. Participants can learn from industry leaders about interviewing techniques, data analysis, new technology, e-discovery and transaction monitoring. They’ll also learn how to detect different types of fraud including Ponzi schemes and feeder funds, and how to spot financial cheats in procurement and divorce cases. Topics also include the victims of the Madoff scandal, The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, potential issues with IFRS and what local officials can expect when the FBI enters investigations.

Accounting firm Porter Keadle Moore and Georgia Southern University, in conjunction with the Center for Forensic Studies in Accounting and Business, are sponsoring the event, which will be held May 13-15 at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Buckhead. To view the full agenda and to register, go here.

About PKM

PKM is one of the largest firms in Atlanta with 10 partners, more than 80 total staff and more than $13 million in annual revenues. The nationally-recognized, full-service accounting and consulting firm provides audit, tax and systems services to clients throughout the country. The firm was founded in 1977 and focuses its efforts on serving companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). It specializes in banking, insurance, real estate and construction, and technology and life sciences. For more information, visit www.pkm.com or call 404-588-4200.

About Fraud and Forensic Accounting at Georgia Southern University

Located in Statesboro, Georgia, The College of Business and the School of Accountancy both have undergraduate and graduate level accreditation through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Only 30% of all U.S. colleges of business have this accreditation, and only 10% also have separate accreditation for their Schools of Accountancy.  This accreditation provides external validation of the high quality educational programs offered.  For more information about degree programs and previous conferences, visit http://coba.georgiasouthern.edu/forensic/ or call (912)478-2228.