AP Invoice Fraud Prevention: Red Flags and Effective Controls (Video) (Course Id 2686)

• Who is this course for?
  This course is designed for AP or procurement specialists, accounting managers, controllers, auditors, finance professionals, and anyone needing Continuing Professional Education (CPE).

• What is this course about or what problem does this course solve?
  The course addresses the widespread issue of accounts payable (AP) invoice fraud by equipping professionals with knowledge and tools to detect, prevent, and combat fraudulent billing schemes and vendor manipulation.

• How can the knowledge from this course be used?
  Learners can apply the course's strategies and techniques to identify red flags, implement preventive and detective controls, and utilize technology to minimize the risk of AP fraud in their organizations.

• Why is this course important to a CPA, Accountant, or IRS Enrolled Agent?
  It is vital because AP fraud can cause significant financial losses, and professionals responsible for financial oversight must be equipped to safeguard assets through robust fraud prevention and detection practices.

• When is this course relevant or timely?
  Released in 2025, the course is timely in addressing ongoing global challenges in occupational fraud, particularly with increased reliance on digital and automated financial systems.

• How is a course like this consumed or used?
  Delivered as a NASBA QAS Self Study video course, it includes real-world examples, downloadable red-flag reference cards, and assessments to reinforce learning, requiring a 70% passing score on the final exam.

AP invoice or billing fraud is among the most common and expensive types of occupational fraud worldwide. According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), organizations lose approximately 5% of their revenue to fraud annually, with billing schemes accounting for roughly 22% of these cases globally! AP fraud schemes typically last a long time—often 18 months before detection—and over half of them cause losses exceeding $100,000.

This comprehensive course equips finance professionals with essential skills to detect, prevent, and combat accounts payable and vendor manipulation fraud. You'll master the critical aspects of AP fraud prevention through practical, real-world scenarios that blend theoretical knowledge with actionable strategies.

Through this focused training program, you'll learn to:

• Identify common AP fraud schemes: Discover the various deceptive methods fraudsters use to exploit accounts payable systems, including fictitious invoices, shell vendors, and payment diversions
• Recognize red flags and warning signs: Learn to spot subtle indicators that may signal fraudulent invoice or vendor activity
• Implement effective preventive controls: Explore key strategies to establish robust safeguards that prevent AP fraud before it occurs
• Deploy detective controls: Gain insights into monitoring techniques that help identify suspicious activities early
• Leverage technology solutions: Understand how to use RPA (Robotic Process Automation) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) to enhance your fraud prevention capabilities

The course provides downloadable AP Fraud and Vendor Manipulation Red-Flag Cards that serve as quick reference guides for identifying the most common fraud indicators.

Whether you're an AP or procurement specialist, accounting manager, controller, auditor, or finance professional, this course will sharpen your "fraud lens" and equip you with practical tools to protect your organization from costly AP fraud schemes and vendor manipulation.

Video - NASBA QAS - NASBA Registry - 2686

Course Learning Objectives

1. Identify common accounts payable (AP) fraud schemes and understand how they operate.
2. Recognize key red flags in AP processes that may indicate fraudulent activity is occurring.
3. Implement critical preventive controls in AP processes to block fraudulent activity before payments occur.
4. Design and deploy effective detective controls to identify actual fraud cases.
5. Leverage modern technology solutions and data analytics to strengthen your controls.
6. Apply knowledge of global fraud trends to understand why strong ethics and controls are essential.

Section 1 - Payroll Fraud  Schemes & Red Flags

Section 1 Review Questions

Section 2 - Preventive, Detective & Technology Controls

Section 2 Review Questions

Glossary