Some really interesting info here at the ACFE’s Fraud Newsletter.

Any thoughts?

WAL

http://links.mkt2336.com/servlet/MailView?ms=NDI0MDE2OAS2&r=NDgyOTUxNTAzOAS2&j=MTM4Mjk0OTczS0&mt=1&rt=0

(cut and paste this link if you can’t just click on it, it is worth the effort)

I was out there working for a not to be named university and on a federal grant to create a Master’s Degree in Accountancy.   Actually the program was set up in another country for the purpose of helping that country gain more transparency and avoid (detect and disclose) much of the fraudulent behavior that had been in existance.

We received the money from the US government through a grant program, used the US university for resources and used the host university for facilities.

I realized after working there awhile that the president of the university, every time there was a contract let, would ask for and receive a percentage for himself.  Thus, there was only a limited amount of money in the total grant, but any where between 10-20% of  each expenditure was going to this individual.

Should I blow the whistle?  To Whom?  How?

I would love to hear your thoughts and then I will tell u what I did and what happened next!!

WAL

I recently received this email from “Paypal” indicating that my account needs to be updated and wanted me to send them the personal information again, so that my account could be brought up to date.  Should I do it?  What do u think about the authenticity of the letter?

Look forward to your thoughts————–see below

_________________________
— On Sat, 9/19/09, Accounts Management <klinpy@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: Accounts Management <klinpy@yahoo.com>
Subject: Your PayPal account may have been accessed from an unauthorized computer
To:
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2009, 2:47 AM

Dear PayPal member,

During our regularly scheduled account maintenance procedure we have detected a error in your billing account information.

This might be due to the following reasons:

1. A recent change in your personal information

2. An inability to accurately verify your selected option of payment due to an internal error within our systems.

Please verify your account information.

To do this we have attached a form to this email. Please download the form and follow the instructions on your screen.

NOTE: The form needs to be opened in a browser which has javascript enabled (ex: Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 3)

We are requesting this information to verify your identity. This is in order to prevent the illegal activity of PayPal accounts.

Please do not reply to this email.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Sincerely,
PayPal Security Center.

This is a location to come and post anything that is on your mind about accounting or about anything else you would like to discuss, such as a good movie that you have seen lately, or sporting event, or new IPhone you have or……………………..

Come on in and have a virtual drink with us, the barkeep is already for your requests.

Look forward to seeing you here and any ideas that you might like to discuss

Dr. L

Just wanted to let every know that the new edition of Accounting for Non-Accountants is in the final stages of being finished.  The book which covers financial statements, has advise for small business accounting, covers small business and budgets, and helps one learn basic accounting will be released in October, 2009.

There will be several new chapters and revisions of older chapters to include international accounting standards, fraud and ethics, and a whole new approach to understanding cash flow statements.

Would like to discuss the new book with you if you have used the first edition or if this is the first time that you have encountered this book and would like to have a further understanding on how the book can help you learn the basics of accounting.

Dr. L

I hope you are all having a good day, and let’s think about acctg for one second.

I am involved in a condo association.  This association passed a budget at the beginning of the year, and now the administration is spending freely without any concern of what is in the budget.

What is wrong with this picture?

Do you have a budget, at home?  at work?   Do you follow it?

Dr. L

I am excited about introducing you to my blog on the website Accounting for Non-Accountants.

If you are out there, join in and introduce yourself to all of us with the same interest which includes all of those non-accountants that have started a business, or are just interested in the topic for their personal lifes.
Let us know which one you are and come have a “cup of tea” with us and share some thoughts.

In the next posts we will get more informative about how accounting can help you.

I look forward to meeting you,

Dr. L