A.B.C.'s of Behavioral Forensics: Applying Psychology to Financial Fraud Prevention and Detection

Praise for A.B.C.'s of Behavioral Forensics

"Fraud is an important part of enterprise risk. Although it falls in the finance and accounting function, it is also a people issue. The authors have taken an important step forward in helping organizations by examining issues of relationships, emotions, narcissism, and larger group and organizational dynamics that will help leaders understand and deter fraud."
—Harry M. Jansen Kraemer, former CEO, Baxter International; Professor of Leadership, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

"You will, upon reflection, note that [the authors] have not only addressed the narrower issues of forensics, but the broader issues of philosophy, ethics, and governance. This book can be read usefully at the surface level. Or given more time and thought, a reader will be led to think more deeply about how society is impacted when otherwise good people, particularly our leaders, violate their trust. Reading this book will be a good and profitable use of your time."
—Andrew D. Bailey, Jr., PhD, CPA, CMA, CIA, CFE, Professor Emeritus of Accounting, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

"Sri, Dave, Joe, and Kelly have done a great job of helping us understand the importance of recognizing the very personal and individual human factors that can drive someone to fraudulent behavior. They also provide insights and guidelines that can help us recognize the potential 'fraudster.'"
—Peter Pesce, Partner Emeritus, A.T. Kearney

"With recognizable and pertinent case studies, these exceptionally qualified authors demonstrate how certain human behavioral factors precede and enable a fraud—be it carried out by one person, a colluding group, or by suggestions from leadership. What the authors then do is thoroughly describe these defining emotions, the essential relationship between the fraud perpetrator and the victim, and what can lead an individual to reverse his or her 'honesty course.'"
—Jameson A. Baxter, Chair, Putnam Funds

"Leaders with integrity attempt to define and determine the personality characteristics of truth and honesty in themselves and others. However it's a search often fraught with uncertainty. A.B.C.'s of Behavioral Forensics will help you to be aware of the signals of devious behavior. Most important, it will increase your sensitivity to the importance of the issue. Corrupt activities are often allowed to continue due to our own indifference."
—Duane R. Kullberg, former CEO, 1980–1989, Arthur Andersen & Co.

"Understanding why fraud happens is as important as understanding what happened. A.B.C.'s of Behavioral Forensics offers important insight into the mind of the white-collar criminal. It's good reading for accounting professionals, journalists, lawyers, psychiatrists, and laypeople alike."
—Bethany McLean, Fellow, The University of Chicago; contributing editor, Vanity Fair; and coauthor of All the Devils Are Here and The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and Scandalous Fall of Enron