Wilson – Attestation Update

Another view of the devastation caused by a fraudster

Looking closely at a specific fraud case shows the depth of the damage caused by fraud. That also lets us see the horrible impact a fraud has on the fraudster and his or her family.

Take a look at the story of Amy Wilson, who stole $350,000 from her employer. She served four years in prison. She is working to restore her life and has made a lot of progress.

What could you learn from the video?

Listen as she tells of the devastation she caused her dear husband and beloved children.

Listen as she tells of the betrayal she caused her oh so nice employer.

Listen for clues on how you could take steps that might prevent this kind of devastation from shredding your ministry.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8WKz0Happ8&feature=player_embedded]

If you want to learn more of her story, you could visit her website: …

Another view of the devastation caused by a fraudsterRead More »

Another view of the devastation caused by a fraudster Read More »

Fraudster tells her story

1 Comment / Fraud / Jim Ulvog

I’ve previously discussed the journey through fraud, jail, and rebuilding taken by Mrs. Amy Wilson. You can see my posts here.

She is providing speaking engagements to make money to repay her victim. She has a new website set up at Forged Redemption, LLC.

If you are interested in studying one specific fraud incident to help yourself learn about fraud, check out her site. Likewise if you are looking for a speaker.

I like the graphic at the bottom of this page – it has three pictures of her at different points in time with a description of each stage: …

Fraudster tells her storyRead More »

Fraudster tells her story Read More »

Taking ownership

1 Comment / Accounting, Fraud, Pondering / Jim Ulvog

One thing that jumps out from Amy Wilson’s story is that she takes full responsibility for her actions and the consequences.

There is none of that ‘well, you just don’t understand the pressure I was under’, or ‘I had to do it’, or our culture’s favorite ‘it’s mommy and daddy’s fault’.

Instead, what happened is fully her fault.

Consider her comments, which I extracted from the article. I feel free to quote her extensively since I have permission to reprint her article.

Look at the strong statement early in the article: …

Taking ownershipRead More »

Taking ownership Read More »

Fraud Triangle – a case study

1 Comment / Accounting, Fraud / Jim Ulvog

Amy Wilson’s story of her embezzlement and the journey she has taken since then provides insight to the fraud triangle.

That’s the concept which says for a fraud to flourish, three factors need to be present:

Opportunity – the ability to do something wrong. Usually this is accompanied by the ability to hide doing so or get away with it undetected.
Motivation – the need to do something wrong.
Rationalization – the ability to persuade oneself that this isn’t fraud. This isn’t wrong. In fact, taking this money is perfectly okay.

In this situation, her opportunity to commit fraud is quite visible.

…

Fraud Triangle – a case studyRead More »

Fraud Triangle – a case study Read More »

Tragedy of fraud – another case study – 2

1 Comment / Accounting, Fraud / Jim Ulvog

Previous post started a discussion of the consequences of Amy Wilson’s embezzlement story told here. These two posts are another case study of the tragedy of fraud.

I’ve discussed the consequences of fraud extensively on my blog. Even compiled those posts into a book, available at Amazon.

Let’s wrap up a review of the consequences earned by Mrs. Wilson and the impact on innocent people she loves. Here are more things visible in her article:

I’m guessing this covers sentences a lot of ground: …

Tragedy of fraud – another case study – 2Read More »

Tragedy of fraud – another case study – 2 Read More »

Tragedy of fraud – another case study – 1

2 Comments / Accounting, Fraud / Jim Ulvog

Let’s look at Amy Wilson’s embezzlement story, explained here, as another case study of the tragedy of fraud.

I’ve discussed the consequences of fraud extensively on my blogs. Check out the tags here and here . Even compiled those posts into a book, available at Amazon.

Let’s look at some of the consequences Mrs. Wilson has endured and the impact on innocent people she deeply cares about. Here are some things visible in her article:

She is a convicted felon. I doubt that record will ever go away. Accountants rarely have the political juice to persuade a governor or president to grant a full pardon.

…

Tragedy of fraud – another case study – 1Read More »

Tragedy of fraud – another case study – 1 Read More »

Trust is not an internal control

1 Comment / Accounting, Fraud / Jim Ulvog

It is just a feeling.

That is Amy Wilson’s explanation as she describes her journey through embezzlement into recovery as told in this earlier post. Thanks to Mrs. Wilson for granting me permission to reprint her article.

Her article is very good. It is so well constructed that we can analyze it in detail. I’ll have several posts to draw out my reactions to her article.

Trust is not an internal control

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Trust is not an internal controlRead More »

Trust is not an internal control Read More »

One accountant’s journey through fraud, jail, and rebuilding

7 Comments / Accounting, Audits, Fraud / Jim Ulvog

The following article is by Amy Wilson, speaker and staff accountant. It is printed with permission of Mrs. Wilson.

For ease of reading, I won’t put the full article in quotes. Here is her story:

My name is Amy Wilson. I am a wife, a mother, an accountant — and an ex-convict.

Early on as a struggling single mother, I wanted a better life for my children, so I went to night school at the University of Indianapolis and earned my bachelor’s degree. For the next 16 years, I worked hard to achieve a respected position in the corporate world. I started in my teens as a cashier at a car dealership. Next, I worked as a payables clerk for a major hospital in Indianapolis. Finally, degree in hand, I became a staff accountant for a large manufacturing firm. Seven years later, I was hired as an office manager for a small manufacturing business.

For most of my life, I was an overachiever, an attribute that eventually led to my downfall and put me behind bars, a convicted felon.

My slow decline into theft

…

One accountant’s journey through fraud, jail, and rebuildingRead More »

One accountant’s journey through fraud, jail, and rebuilding Read More »