AGENDA

8:00am to 10:00am (2hrs) - Tali Ploetz - Standards in Action: Uncovering Fraud in Audit Engagements

10:00am to 10:15am - Break

10:15am to 11:15am (1hr) - Suzanne Schultz & Maple Wong - Guardians of Integrity: Enhancing Fraud Response through Forensic Collaboration

11:15am to 12:00pm - Lunch 

12:00pm to 2:00pm (2hrs) - Terence Karacsony - Trust but Verify: Navigating the Modern Fraud Landscape

2:00pm to 2:15pm - Break 

2:15pm to 4:15pm (2hrs) - Craig Standland - How I Got Caught

SPEAKERS & TOPICS

Tali Ploetz, CPA, CIA, CFE, CTP – GoldSRD - Standards in Action: Uncovering Fraud in Audit Engagements

Tali Ploetz is an industry recognized expert in Governance, Risk, Internal Audit, Fraud and Compliance. She provides practical training and advice designed to strengthen team member skillsets and improve corporate internal control environments to ultimately prevent issues / internal control breakdowns by delivering coursework covering topics such as:

• Governance & Risk Management Practices
• Leadership & Executive Presence
• Executive Communication, Ethics and Political Savvy
• Regulatory Compliance & Internal Controls
• Three Lines of Defense Expectations & Responsibilities
• Negotiation with Examiners and Auditors
• Finding Breakdowns in Processes & Calculating the Impact on Internal Controls

GoldSRD clients will benefit from her executive perspective, which provides a strong foundation geared specifically toward moving internal audit, risk, and compliance team members to the next level.

• Experienced financial services executive leader
• Director for multiple for and non-profit Boards of Directors
• Experienced negotiator with federal examiners
• Experienced expert witness in litigation matters
• Recognized IIA All-Star Conference speaker
• Keynote speaker / master of ceremonies (emcee)

Ms. Ploetz has more than 30 years of financial services and audit industry experience. Most notably:

• Chief Compliance Officer for Think Finance
• SVP Enterprise Risk Management at Santander Consumer USA
• VP of Operations Audit, General Motors Financial Company
• VP of Internal Audit for Bank One, NA

Ms. Ploetz maintains multiple certifications: Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Certified Fraud Examiner, and Certified Treasury Professional. She’s a graduate from University of Texas at Arlington with dual degrees in Accounting and Marketing.

Topic Summary - Standards in Action: Uncovering Fraud in Audit Engagements

Auditors are expected to have basic fraud knowledge to meet the expectations outlined in industry guidelines and corporate job descriptions. This interactive training will give attendees fraud basics while also discussing basic techniques to build and refine fraud auditing skillsets. This course includes discussions surrounding the minimum fraud coverage required by the IIA Standards.

Objectives:

• Discuss the basic elements of fraud
• Review internal audit industry requirements fraud detection
• Discuss techniques to identify fraud when performing audits
• Discuss testing protocols and techniques when testing for fraud, both with and without predication

Suzanne Schultz, CBV, CFF, CPA, CA, DIFA & Maple Wong, CPA, CFE – BDO - Guardians of Integrity: Enhancing Fraud Response through Forensic Collaboration

Suzanne is a partner in BDO’s Forensic Disputes & Investigations practice. She has practiced exclusively in forensic accounting since 2000, with a focus on investigating allegations of fraud and misconduct, economic crimes, and corporate malfeasance. Her expertise includes investigating fraudulent financial reporting, misappropriation of corporate assets and opportunities, bribery and corruption, conflicts of interest, and other wrongdoing in both the private and public sectors. Suzanne is also experienced in quantifying economic losses, fraud risk management, and anti-bribery and corruption programs.

Prior to joining BDO, Suzanne spent more than 20 years in various roles at a Big Four Firm, including a decade as a partner leading the Forensic practice in British Columbia. Her forensic engagements include assignments in Canada, the United States, China, Mexico, and Australia. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), a Chartered Business Valuator (CBV), Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) by the AICPA, and holds a Diploma in Investigative and Forensic Accounting from the University of Toronto.

Suzanne has provided expert testimony before the Supreme Court of British Columbia and has been recognized by Lexology and Who’s Who Legal as one of Canada’s leading experts in forensic accounting. She was a co-developer of Simon Fraser University’s forensic accounting course and has been a guest lecturer.

Suzanne has delivered presentations on behalf of CPABC, the Institute of Internal Auditors, the Certified Fraud Examiners, the Alliance for Excellence in Investigative and Forensic Accounting, Federated Press, Insight, Infonex, and other professional organizations and businesses. She has also published articles on the topics of bribery and corruption and anti-fraud programs and controls. Suzanne has been a volunteer Study Buddy with Big Sisters and served on local chapter boards for the Institute of Internal Auditors.

Maple has been immersed in the field of public accounting since 2020, specializing exclusively in forensic accounting since 2023. Her expertise is centered on fraud and criminal investigations, whistleblower inquiries, forensic accounting, and litigation support services. Prior to transitioning to public accounting, she gained seven years of valuable experience in various accounting roles across industries such as retail, e-commerce, and food and beverage.

In her forensic accounting career, Maple has led teams investigating complex cases of fraud, asset misappropriation, civil and criminal charges, money laundering, and regulatory non-compliance. She has collaborated with large Indigenous organizations across multiple provinces, worked alongside law enforcement agencies in Canada’s largest metropolis, and partnered with a diverse range of government bodies, not-for-profit organizations, and corporations of all sizes.

A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) since 2021 and a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) since 2024, Maple is committed to continuous professional development and community engagement. She has served the local chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners since 2024 and has delivered presentations to the Greater Toronto Area’s Accountants & Finance Network. Additionally, Maple has mentored candidates preparing for the CPA Common Final Examination and contributes to the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program, providing free tax services to low- and modest-income individuals.

Topic Summary - Guardians of Integrity: Enhancing Fraud Response through Forensic Collaboration

Internal auditors are the guardians of organizational integrity, leading the fight against the ever-evolving threat of fraud. Their roles are multifaceted: evaluating internal controls, fostering an ethical culture through compliance assessments, conducting risk evaluations to identify vulnerabilities, and monitoring transactions for signs of fraud. Internal auditors are often among the first to detect red flags or learn of allegations of fraud and misconduct. Assembling a skilled, well-trained team to respond effectively is essential. Drawing on decades of collaboration with internal auditors, we aim to share key lessons and insights gained through extensive experience.

Key topics to be covered include:

• The role and responsibilities of forensic accountants.
• When and why to include forensic accountants on the investigative team.
• Structuring effective engagement models to meet organizational needs.
• Key considerations for planning and executing investigations while avoiding common pitfalls.
• Real-life examples of successful collaborative investigations.

We aim to have an interactive session to  encourage a dynamic exchange of ideas, insights, and experiences. Join us to explore how internal auditors and forensic accountants can collaborate to enhance responses to suspected fraud and misconduct.

Terence Karacsony, CPA, CA, CFF, MFAcc - MNP - Trust but Verify: Navigating the Modern Fraud Landscape

Terence Karacsony is a distinguished Senior Manager at MNP LLP's Winnipeg office, where he specializes in damage quantification, valuations, and forensic audit engagements. With a strong academic foundation as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Professional Accountant, Terence furthered his expertise by earning a Master of Forensic Accounting from the University of Toronto. He is also recognized for his proficiency in financial forensics, holding the Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) designation.

Terence's professional portfolio is impressive and diverse, serving clients across North America and engaging in significant international projects in India and the Caribbean. His extensive experience in financial services has made him a sought-after expert in his field.

In addition to his practical work, Terence is also an active thought leader. He has co-presented on critical topics such as Anti-Money Laundering developments at prestigious events like the CPA Manitoba Annual General Meeting, further solidifying his reputation as an authority in the accounting and forensic auditing communities.

Terence Karacsony exemplifies professionalism and dedication, consistently delivering exceptional results for his clients and contributing to the advancement of his profession.

Topic Summary - Trust but Verify: Navigating the Modern Fraud Landscape

Between 1983 and 2012, Rita Crundwell, the comptroller and treasurer of Dixon, Illinois embezzled one of the largest amounts in US history from the Town, $53M to support her lavish lifestyle. The subject of the movie All the Queen’s Horses (2017), many fraud professionals believed that this story resonated and created the professional scepticism and due diligence in municipalities and businesses which would prevent it from occurring again.

Flash forward to 2022, and a Manitoba municipality suffered significant losses from the embezzlement of the then Chief Administrative Officer. This is a case of trust and guardianship, where a lack of segregation of duties and significant fraudulent schemes, allowed the fraud to go uncovered from over a year. MNP will explore some of the schemes employed, from hiring non existent Cyber investigators, creating false bank statements, and accessing data systems through third party accounts, which contributed to losses of over $500,000.  MNP will discuss prevention and detection tools which could have mitigated some of the losses.

Craig Standland  - Reinvention Architect Advisors - How I Got Caught

In 2012, Craig Stanland made a decision that shattered his life. His decision caught the attention of the FBI, leading to a two-year federal prison sentence, three years of supervised release, and restitution in excess of $800,000. His actions cost him his marriage, homes, cars, career, and even his will to live. However, this was not the end for Craig. Instead, it marked the beginning of a new chapter. Today, he is a Keynote speaker, Consultant, Reinvention Architect, and Author of "Blank Canvas, How I Reinvented My Life After Prison.”

Topic Summary - How I Got Caught

Get ready for a raw, unfiltered journey into the heart of a significant fraud against one of the largest technology firms in the world. This training is more than just a recount of events leading to my downfall. "How I Got Caught" is a dynamic and interactive session where together we'll explore the motivations, rationalizations, ethical boundaries, and the slippery slope that leads to catastrophic decisions. All from a rare, first-person perspective. I'll go beyond the surface-level details of the fraud, providing unique insights into the mechanics of my actions and the internal and external controls I exploited for my financial gain. I'll explore the red flags my company missed, the red flags I chose to ignore, and crucially, the three methods the victim and the FBI used to catch me and build their rock-solid case. In a fun and engaging exercise, I'll ask the audience how they would have caught me and then share how I would have caught myself. As a bonus, I'll share the three steps I took to cultivate resiliency and reinvent my life that the audience can implement in their own lives.

Learning Objectives:
1. Understanding the Mindset Behind Fraudulent Behavior: This insight is crucial for professionals in auditing and finance to recognize early warning signs and understand the mindset behind fraudulent activities.
2. Identifying Red Flags in Fraudulent Activities: This objective focuses on equipping the audience with the skills to identify subtle and overt red flags indicative of fraudulent behavior.
3. Identifying Methods to Catch Fraud: This objective focuses on equipping the audience with an insider's perspective on how to take a multi-faceted approach to apprehend fraud.