Enron's Sherron Watkins to Speak at 13th Annual Fraud Conference & Trade Show

Sherron Watkins, the Enron executive credited with helping expose the company's alleged financial statement fraud, will be a featured speaker at the 13th Annual Fraud Conference & Trade Show Aug. 4-9 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. 

Other general session speakers will include former white-collar criminal John Everroad Jr., and newly elected Association Regent J. Scott Newton, J.D., CFE, assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi, who will be presenting an update on new laws affecting fraud examiners. 

Before the Enron debacle came to light, Watkins had written two memos to then-Chairman Kenneth Lay expressing her serious misgivings about Enron's and possibly illegal accounting methods. In a seven-page memo to Lay, she wrote, "I am incredibly nervous that we will implode in a wave of accounting scandals." In the same memo she also wrote, "I have heard one manager-level employee from the principal investments group say, 'I know it would be devastating to all of us, but I wish we would get caught. We're such a crooked company.'" Investigators later found the memos in a box at Enron headquarters. Congressional committees released the seven-page memo, questioned her twice in February, and lauded her as a hero. (See article on page 20.) Watkins will present "Enron: An Insider's Story" at the working lunch on Monday, Aug. 5. 

"The shocking discovery of widespread fraud at Enron," said Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA, founder and Chairman of the Association, "was made possible only because employees like Ms. Watkins were brave enough to accept the fact that by coming forward they might be forever tarred as 'whistleblowers.'  

"Concerned citizens aren't whistleblowers. In fact, at this particular moment in American history, there's no more critical message than this: people have both the right and the responsibility to report wrongdoing. We're delighted that Ms. Watkins, an accountant, has agreed to share her experiences at Enron with an eager audience of anti-fraud professionals. She's a credit to us all." 

Three Conferences in One
The 13th Annual Fraud Conference & Trade Show is actually three conferences in one; participants can attend any or all segments. 

• The four-hour Pre-Conference, "The New Face of Identity Fraud," on Sunday, Aug. 4, will teach how to detect and prevent this ubiquitous and insidious fraud. 
• In the 2 1/2-day Main Conference, Aug. 5-7, you'll choose breakout sessions from 10 tracks and attend the general sessions and working lunches. 
• The Post-Conference, Aug. 8-9, is divided into tracks for auditors and investigators, and provides basic-level training in the tools and techniques of fraud examination. 

By attending all segments, fraud examination practitioners can earn up to 44 fraud-related continuing professional education (CPE) hours.  

This event also features a trade show, beginning on Sunday evening, Aug. 4, and continuing through Tuesday, Aug. 6. The Association's Annual Trade Show gives attendees an opportunity to experience firsthand the very latest in anti-fraud products on the market today. Vendors will be showcasing their fraud-fighting tools and you'll be able to meet with them one-on-one, try out new software, and see for yourself the many fraud prevention resources that are available. 

The Association will host three social events: a Welcome Reception from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 4; "That's a Wrap!" party on the pool terrace of the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, and a Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 8. 

Hotel and Area Information
The glamour and excitement of the world's movie-making capital come to life at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, cornerstone of the spectacular new Hollywood & Highland® retail/entertainment complex and the new home of the Academy Awards® in the Kodak Theatre. Designed in the sophisticated style of Mid-Century Modernism, this dazzling 640-room property is sure to become the newest landmark in the heart of Hollywood. 

The hotel is offering conference attendees a special group rate of $176 for single occupancy and $196 for double occupancy. The cut-off date is July 13, 2002. Reservations are subject to availability. 

Some of the local attractions include Mann's Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Universal Studios Theme Park, scores of motion picture studios, and the J. Paul Getty Museum. 

Travel Information
The following airlines have agreed to offer discounted airfares for attendees of the 13th Annual Fraud Conference & Trade Show. Discounts are only available when you or your travel agent book through the phone numbers listed below. When calling Tramex Travel, ask for Barbara Panzer and be sure to mention you are with the fraud conference. The Association isn't liable for any penalties incurred if you cancel or change your reservation. Restrictions apply. Seats are limited.  

American Airlines will provide conference attendees with zone fares and 5 percent off the lowest applicable fare. If tickets are purchased at least 60 days in advance of the departure date, an additional 5 percent discount will be provided. Discounts are available for travel that originates within the continental United States or Canada. Call Panzer at Tramex Travel at 800-527-3039 to make reservations or at any AA ticketing location. Refer to travel code: A8872AK. 

Continental Airlines will also provide conference attendees with discounted airfare and zone fares. Attendees are eligible for an additional 5 percent discount if tickets are purchased 60 days in advance of the departure date. For reservations, call Panzer at Tramex Travel at 800-527-3039 or Continental's MeetingWorks at 800-468-7022. Refer to travel code: VRDNT5.  

Southwest Airlines is offering a 10 percent discount on most of its already low fares. Reservations must be made three or more days prior to travel. To book a flight, call Barbara Panzer at Tramex Travel at (800) 527-3039 or Southwest Airlines Group and Meetings Reservations at (800) 433-5368. Refer to travel code: J4677. 

For current details about the 13th Annual Fraud Conference & Trade Show, go to www.fraudconference.com. 

Pre-Conference: The New Face of Identity Fraud 

"The New Face of Identity Fraud" is a four-hour executive roundtable seminar and discussion for exchanging ideas on Sunday, Aug. 4. Participants will work in three 70-minute sessions: Identification of Identity Fraud, Investigation of Identity Fraud, and Prevention of Identity Fraud. 

After attendees register for the Pre-Conference, they'll receive in the mail a 70-page outline and other materials. Those who spend up to four hours of study and preparation before the session will receive continuing professional education credit and four more hours at the session. 

When registering for the Pre-Conference, participants will be grouped with other attendees to provide maximum diversity. 

The sessions will concentrate on brainstorming to seek new approaches for the detection and deterrence of identity fraud. During the first 40 minutes of each session, groups will discuss the advance material and during the remaining 30 minutes, will present conclusions to the rest of the attendees.

At the conclusion of the conference, the Association will prepare a formal position paper and distribute it to Pre-Conference attendees within 120 days. Following are the sections of the Pre-Conference: 

Identification of Identity Fraud
In this session, participants will discuss how identity fraud is perpetuated in both a low- and high-tech world. Participants will brainstorm ways that potential victims can avoid vulnerability to the methods of identity fraudsters.  

Investigation of Identity Fraud
Identity fraud may not show any symptoms until it's hit its victims. While the dollar losses may be minimal, the time the victim spends clearing his or her name isn't. In this session, participants will focus on how to find the culprits. 

Prevention of Identity Fraud
Potential targets can dodge the fraudster's bullet. In this session groups will discuss what they can do to make sure the thieves avoid them and their clients and businesses. 

Main Conference 

The Main Conference, Aug. 5-7, consists of three general sessions, two working lunches, and 10 tracks with subject-specific breakout sessions: Current Issues, Cyberfraud, Embezzlement, Financial Statement Fraud, Money Laundering, Inventory/Vendor Frauds, Fraud & the Law, Bribery & Corruption, Industry Issues, and Practice Development/Management. (The Industry Issues include: Banking/Investments and Insurance/Health Insurance.) Sessions will repeat. Participants will receive 20 hours of CPE credit.

During the opening session on Monday, Aug. 5, you'll meet your colleagues, Association dignitaries and the members of the Board of Regents. The Cressey Award, the Association's highest honor, will be presented to an individual who has had a lifetime of achievement in the detection and deterrence of fraud. During the Working Lunch on Aug. 5, you'll hear from Enron's Sherron Watkins.  

Fraud examiners of all stripes must stay current on laws affecting their work. During the general session on Tuesday, Aug. 6, Regent J. Scott Newton, J.D., CFE, will present "Legal Update: New Laws Affecting Fraud Examiners." And then former white-collar criminal John Everroad Jr. will speak at the Tuesday luncheon. After 29 years in increasingly responsible accounting management positions, Everroad was convicted in 1999 of two counts of theft by deception while working for a Nebraska company. Although sentenced for three to eight years, Everroad was paroled after 20 months. Recently released from prison, he will discuss his past misdeeds and how he plans to rebuild his career. With Everroad's presentation, the Association continues the tradition of presenting a reformed fraudster (who receives no fee or remuneration) to teach us more than we ever could learn on the right side of the law.

During the closing session on Wed., Aug. 7, Joseph T. Wells, CFE, CPA, founder and Chairman of the Association, will describe the state of our organization, and the future of fraud examination. 

Breakout Sessions
Following are the 10 tracks and the tentative breakout sessions: 

Current Issues 

Putting an End to Telecommunications Fraud
In the United States alone, businesses were billed from $2 billion to $5 billion last year in fraudulent telephone calls. Victims come in all sizes and descriptions. Learn how to protect yourself and your company from being the next victim. 

Preventing Identity Fraud
It seems that in spite of the new laws and precautions against it, identity fraud just won't go away. This session will bring you up-to-date on the latest happenings in identity fraud and what you can do to protect yourself from it. 

The Role of Information Technology in Due Diligence Investigations
What role does information technology play in due diligence investigations? During this session you'll discuss how information technology can be used to broaden the scope and effectiveness of due diligence investigations conducted in conjunction with joint ventures, mergers, and acquisitions. 

Forensic Document Analysis: DNA and Beyond
There may be more to your evidence than just the piece of paper that's in your case file. It may be what's on the piece of paper that seals your case rather than just the printed information. Find out what's important and what's not - things you never knew.  

Cyberfraud 

Computer Forensic Tools for the Fraud Examiner
The more advanced technology becomes, the more advanced the fraud examiner must be to function in the world of cyberfraud. This session focuses on the latest and greatest hardware and software tools you'll need for the future. 

Data Manipulation: E-Fraud from the Perspective of the Hacker
As more fraud takes place in an electronic environment, both the skills used by fraudsters, and the technologies used to catch them have changed. This session discusses methods used by fraudsters and hackers to compromise information systems, and how investigators and information technology personnel can detect them. 

Using Technology to Detect Fraud
Using technology to detect fraud may not be a new concept, but the ease and availability to fraud examiners is. This session shows you how to use some of the latest tools in your fraud arsenal to find the fraud that may be occurring in your organization. 

Internal Cyber-Investigations: Counseling the Victims Before The Fraud
Now and in the future, the primary evidence of an investigation most likely will be found on the computer. Don't let a good case go bad by not following proper procedures. This session explains how to counsel clients before the fraud occurs to ensure an effective (and legal) internal investigation.  

Embezzlement 

Data Mining Techniques for Detecting Fraud
Data mining has been used as a marketing tool for a long time. However, it has applications in fraud detection. Learn how data mining can work for you as you proactively hunt for fraud. 

Interviewing Techniques That Work
Even with all the technology that's available to the fraud examiner, fraud investigations will always have one thing in common - the necessity to interview. This session will help you hone your skills and learn new ones, from the pro himself. 

Don't Let the Suspense (Accounts) Kill You
Suspense accounts, a necessary part of any general ledger system, can be a minefield for fraud. During this period you'll learn how fraud is committed using suspense accounts and more importantly how to protect yourself against this often overlooked area of fraud. 

Case Study: the Uncontrolled Controller
Not only did he have control of the checkbook, he also had a signature stamp of the president. And because he had control over the reconciliation process, his fraud could have been foolproof. However, all things come to an end and his did, too. Learn how. 

Financial Statement Fraud  

Building a Better Mousetrap: a New Look at Internal Controls
Some internal controls are so basic that they're transparent. Rather than having more controls, it just makes more sense to have better controls. Learn the five steps you can use when tackling internal and management controls that help you work smarter - not harder. 

Detecting Fictitious Revenues in Financial Statements
Fictitious revenues once took a back seat when it came to fraud schemes. But that's not true anymore with all the scandals that have hit Wall Street lately. Detecting fictitious revenues can be found by analyzing numbers. But which ones? You'll find out in this class.  

Case Study: These Books Went Beyond Cooked
Cooking the books is a term that has been in the news all too often lately. In this case study, these books weren't just cooked; they were scorched. Learn how this fraud fooled everyone - at least for a while - and the price paid for this costly loss. 

Document Analysis and Financial Statement Fraud: a Non-Traditional Approach
What financial documents can you review for fraud indicators? This session veers away from some of the traditional ways of reviewing financial statements for fraud and instead focuses on other overt and covert methods.  

Money Laundering  

Money Laundering: What's New and Why You Need to Know it
Anti-money-laundering laws have focused on banks in the past. The horrific events of Sept. 11 have heightened the attention on broker-dealers and investment companies as well the war against dirty money. With a new law comes new requirements. Learn all about them and how they may affect you. 

Gambling and Money Laundering
Gambling and money laundering, with the common denominator of cash, seem to go hand in hand. This session concentrates on the role gambling plays in money laundering and the consequences of it. 

Recovering the Proceeds of Fraud Offshore
Your loss is the fraudster's gain. And to compound things, the money is offshore. However, even though the recovery might be difficult, it isn't impossible. Learn some of the techniques that can be used to get your money back - legally.  

Case Study: This Executive is All Washed Up
Withholding the results of a due diligence audit, this executive proceeded to do as he wanted. By the time questions were asked, it was discovered that he not only received kickbacks from a subcontractor but he also laundered this extra income to appear legitimate.  

Inventory/Vendor Fraud  

The Latest Tools for Detecting Vendor Fraud
Payments made to vendors are significant to most businesses - unfortunately, so is the fraud whether it's in the disbursement of funds or in the goods or services received. However, the fraud examiner is continually learning new ways to detect. Learn all about them.  

Educating Management - Before the Fraud Happens
Often management gets a stern and costly lesson on fraud - after it's discovered. Rather than wait for this to happen,
wouldn't it better to prepare management before there's a problem? This session explains how. 

Case Study: When No-bid Contracts Mean Fraud
Vendor fraud has long been an area of vulnerability. Even the best of controls can't completely stop it. This case study shows you what happens when a vendor is awarded a bid without having to go through the bidding process. 

Spotting Inflated Inventory
If you're cooking the books, the inventory account is one of the areas of which you can take advantage. After all, inflating the inventory numbers is just a journal entry away. However, there are techniques that the fraud examiner uses to spot them. Learn them. 

Fraud and the Law  

Preparing Complex Cases for Prosecution
Let's face it - some cases are harder than others when it comes to prosecution. Using a real case, this session will give you some tips on building a good case from start to finish. 

Telling the Story to the Jury: Do's and Don'ts of Testifying
Always and never are two things you probably shouldn't say when testifying. Learn some of the other things you can do to help win your case. This session demonstrates the right and wrong ways to testify in an actual case.  

Confidential Informants: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Confidential informants, also known as CIs, might be the best thing that can happen to you and your case. They can also lie, deceive, and ruin your fraud examination. This session explores how to develop and properly use them and avoid the common pitfalls.  

The Electronic Courtroom: Using Digitized Evidence to Prove Fraud
You've completed your investigation and are ready to go to court. But with many fraud examinations, documents provide mountains of evidence; keeping it organized and readily available to all parties may prove difficult. However, you'll learn how digitized evidence can be used effectively in your fraud examinations. 

Bribery and Corruption  

Developing an Effective Business Compliance Program
A business compliance program once was the exception rather than the norm. But with the effect of corporate sentencing guidelines, it might now be not only a good idea but required. Find out how to develop one that will suit your needs as well as the company's. 

Case Study: Corrupt or Mismanaged? The High Cost of Education
After spending $170 million and only being half-finished, this school system stopped building the most expensive high school in the country. Using a team of auditors, forensic accountants, consultants and attorneys, the bottom line was a flunking grade. But was it corruption or mismanagement? This session explains. 

International Corruption Investigation Techniques
Corruption and bribery cases can be some of the most difficult cases to investigate. When it becomes an international case, it becomes even more difficult. This session focuses on a methodology that has been used successfully in international corruption cases. 

How to Prove Kickbacks
Kickbacks are not only hard to detect, but even harder to prove. Learn the techniques that have been successfully used to prove kickbacks and then what you can do to prevent them in the first place - if that's possible. 

Industry Issues 

Fraud Trends in the Banking Industry - An Update
If there are banks, there will be fraud somewhere down the line. While stealing money isn't new, there may be new trends that you should know about. This session fills you in on the latest trends in the banking industry. 

The Effects of Privacy Regulations on Health Care Fraud Investigations & Audits
The new privacy regulations may have a profound effect on the way you conduct health care fraud investigations. This session explains what you can and cannot do as you investigate some of the most complex fraud cases there are. 

What's Happening With Investment Frauds
Investment frauds have been in the spotlight lately and probably will continue to be. Find out what you'll need to know to know so you won't become a victim of the fraud that can wipe out a lifetime of savings or ruin a business. 

What's New in Health Care Fraud
Health care fraud is alive and well. So much so that some drug dealers are leaving their profession to commit health care fraud. Learn the new health care fraud schemes from an expert in the field. 

Practice Development/Management  

Using Contract Investigators in Your Practice
Using contract auditors may be just the right thing for your practice. While their hourly rates may be higher than what you would pay your staff, in the long run, it may be more cost effective. Learn how contract investigators can be used legally, wisely, and efficiently. 

Generate New Business: the Fraud Prevention Check-Up
Win new clients and find new ways to help existing ones with the Fraud Prevention Check-Up. Offer it as an inexpensive new service to companies you'd like as clients. Use it to make sure your existing clients are properly protecting themselves. Identify
gaps in their protection and offer additional services to fix those holes before it's too late. 

Responding to Conflict
Whether it's on a fraud case or in your own office, as a fraud examiner at some point you' ll have to respond to conflict. Don't win the battle only to lose the war. Here you'll learn the right ways to deal with disputes and end up in a win-win situation.  

Developing Benchmarking Strategies in Fraud Prevention for Your Client
They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That also holds true when fraud is found in an organization. Now that fraud routinely makes front-page news, effective detection and prevention tools may just get the recognition they deserve. This session focuses on how you can develop a good program to detect and prevent fraud. 

Post-Conference 

The two-day Auditors and Investigators Basic Conference, Aug. 8-9, consists of two tracks of introductory fraud examination techniques for the entry-level auditor or investigator. Participants will earn 16 CPE hours. 

Auditor sessions include fraud responsibilities for accountants and auditors, fundamental fraud analytical schemes, asset misappropriation schemes, corruption schemes, and fraudulent statement schemes. Investigator sessions include an introduction to occupational fraud schemes, an introduction to confidence schemes, interview techniques, legal issues for investigators, and report writing. Both tracks share these sessions: an introduction to fraud examination, legal elements of fraud, and the summary. 

Entire Conference: U.S.$1,425
Pre-Conference only: U.S.$350
Main Conference only: U.S.$895
Post-Conference only: U.S.$595
Pre-/Main Conference: U.S.$1,105
Pre-/Post Conference: U.S.$915
Main/Post-Conference: U.S.$1,325 

Hotel Information:
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel
1755 Highland Ave.
Hollywood, CA 90028
323-856-1200
www.renaissancehollywood.com
Special Group Rate:
$176 single and $196 double
Cut-off Date for Special Rate: July 13, 2002
(Reservations subject to availability.) 

SIDE BAR 

Watkins is Reluctant Hero in Enron Accounting Catastrophe 

For accountants, it's all about the numbers. And from her position as vice president for corporate development at Enron, Sherron Watkins realized that the numbers just weren't adding up. In two letters to Chairman Kenneth Lay, she expressed her grave concerns about the dubious financial arrangements at the Houston energy giant. Watkins argued that the methods governing certain accounts were not only unsound but also potentially illegal.  

"Has Enron become a risky place to work?" she asks Lay in the seven-page memo. "For those of us who didn't get rich over the last few years, can we afford to stay? (Former CEO Jeff) Skilling's abrupt departure will raise suspicions of accounting improprieties and valuation issues. ... I am incredibly nervous that we will implode in a wave of accounting scandals. ... My eight years of Enron work history will be worth nothing on my rèsumè, the business world will consider the past successes as nothing but an elaborate accounting hoax. Skilling is resigning now for 'personal reasons' but I would think he wasn't having fun, looked down the road and knew this stuff was unfixable and would rather abandon ship now than resign in shame in two years." 

Apparently, she was the only Enron executive who had the courage to speak to Lay about the generally unacceptable accounting practices known by many top-level managers.  

Now both of her memos are in the hands of congressional and criminal investigators who are probing into all facets of the massive financial statement fraud scheme that was Enron. Watkins, who still works there, has become the reluctant hero of an otherwise disheartening story of corporate collapse.  

"I was incredibly frustrated with Mr. Lay's actions or lack thereof," she told members of the Senate Commerce Committee in February, her second appearance on the Hill. "I believe that Enron had a brief window to salvage itself this past fall, and we missed that opportunity because of Mr. Lay's failure to recognize or accept that the company had manipulated its financial statements. ... We did not shore up any kind of equity or debt financing. There was a run on the bank," she said. "I think we went through billions of cash in a very short period of time and once we lost our investment grade rating, two large trenches of debt became immediately due, and that was the end."