BRYN MAWR, PA – October 13, 2009 – Financial fraud can devastate a business.  According to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, U.S. businesses lose about $660 billion annually as a result of employees who ‘help’ themselves to company fund, often with the assistance of co-workers.  Another survey by Auditors, Inc., found that as many as 40 percent of small business owners are embezzlement victims.

In an effort to give business owners and managers practical information they need to combat this epidemic of fraud, The American College, the nation’s premier financial services educator, is sponsoring an intensive day and a half seminar on December 15 – 16 in Chicago, Illinois called Preventing Financial Fraud: Protecting Enterprise Integrity and Reputation.  The program will feature some of the nation’s most respected thought leaders in the field of financial fraud.

In reflecting on the need for a seminar like this, Larry Barton, Ph.D., President and CEO of The American College said, “In a weak economy, the appetite for white collar crime and embezzlement continues to increase, putting companies that are already facing distress an additional burden.  Many employees are desperate and angry, or anticipating being laid off.  In that climate, the need for financial controls becomes paramount.  Unfortunately, many employers are distracted—the perfect environment for a thief,” he adds.

The seminar features an impressive roster of speakers including:

• Patrick J. Calhoun, Former Field Office, Special Agent in Charge, the Internal Revenue Service.
• Alan F. Friedman, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist and Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Medical School.
• Laurence Barton, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer, The American College and celebrated author of Crisis Leadership Now.
• Brenda Buetow, Senior Manager, Fraud & Ethics Practice, Risk Group, Crowe Horwath.

Attendees will receive a detailed case study before the program for review and a "diagnostic" of key issues that are inherent in the case.  The program kicks off on Tuesday, December 15 with an all-day intensive presentation by speakers.  Presenters will focus on four primary content areas: Accounting Fraud, The Psychology of Financial Crime, Responding to Financial Crime and a case study.

After the series of presentations on day one, participants break into teams to conduct a diagnostic review of key issues. They will interview specially-trained actors who will role play various persons in the case, allowing participants to hone their interview skills while being given feedback by experts.  The second half day is devoted to a case study debriefing.

The registration fee for this event is $795 and includes case study, books, seminar and refreshments breaks. The program will be held at an O'Hare Airport Hotel. Members of The American College Alumni Association pay only $725.

To find out more information or to register for the event, please call 888-263-7265 or visit TheAmericanCollege.edu/FinancialFraud

The American College is the nation’s largest non-profit educational institution devoted to financial services.  Holding the highest level of academic accreditation, The College has served as a valued business partner to banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies and others for over 82 years.  The American College’s faculty represents some of the financial services industry’s foremost thought leaders.  For more information, visit TheAmericanCollege.edu

Contact:

Eric B. Gordon
Assistant Vice President for Communications
(610) 526-1450