Accounting irregularities and fraud

While fraud matters occurring at companies such as Enron and WorldCom may seem like turn-of-the-century relics, recent actions and statements from the US Securities and Exchange Commission suggest they are again interested in financial accounting reporting matters. For example, in FY 2014, the SEC increased antifraud enforcement actions by nearly 50 percent, the first year-over-year increase since 2007, and new investigations by nearly a third, opening more than 100.¹

Increased scrutiny is likely as the SEC Financial Reporting and Audit Task Force builds momentum. And, the action could accelerate as technologies such as the Accounting Quality Model (AQM) analytics tool, aka RoboCop, gain footing. These tools are making it easier for the regulators to proactively identify potential irregularities. Are you ready?

¹ "FY 2016 Budget Request by Program," US Securities and Exchange Commission, page 61, http://www.sec.gov/about/reports/sec-fy2016-budget-request-by-program.pdf.

What do regulators frequently look for?​

• Revenue recognition: Long-term accounting contracts, gross vs. net, and rebate allowances are prime targets in this consistently active area of SEC enforcement.
• Deferred expenses: Pushing expenses into later periods to increase net profits.
• Improper capitalization of assets: Capitalizing expenses as assets to reduce current-period expenses to artificially inflate earnings.
• Valuation issues: Faulty or biased assumptions may inflate or deflate asset valuation to help companies achieve a pre-determined income/loss.
• Disclosures: Inadequate or missing disclosures can be easy factors for the SEC to identify.
• Related-party transactions: Adequacy of disclosing related-party transactions.
• Improper segment reporting: Improper aggregation of operating segments may also trigger inquiries.
• Internal control reviews: Companies that file multiple restated financial statements should be prepared to explain variances in statements.