• Fraud & Security Services
• Forensic Computing Service
• Information Systems Assurance
• Governance & Risk Management
• Consulting Services
• Internal Audit and Assurance

Fraud & Security Services

Our team of accredited counter fraud and security specialists has a wealth of experience in providing both proactive and reactive anti-fraud and security services. Team members include a former police officer, a former manager of the NHS national proactive counter fraud team and a former head of fraud services for a major bank. There are six dedicated team members and seven other staff, in the wider Audit North pool, with supporting skills and accreditations. We apply our skill sets to provide services tailored to our clients’ individual needs and budgets. Examples of our services are summarised below. However, this list is not exhaustive – please contact Graham Thompson on 0191 441 5918 or graham.thompson3@nhs.net to find out more:

• Fraud risk assessment and prevention: Using our specialist knowledge of fraud types, analytical tools and proven techniques we can help you identify potential vulnerabilities to fraud (either across an organisation or within particular business areas) helping you focus your efforts in the right places. We can advise on cost effective controls to close loopholes and minimise risks of fraud. Moreover, we work alongside your management teams to ensure skills and knowledge transfer.

• Criminal investigations: The team have comprehensive experience of completing investigations in support of criminal prosecutions, including following the rules of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act. Moreover, their diverse backgrounds ensure that we have a range of investigation techniques at our disposal including our Forensic Computing service.

• Fact-finding investigations: Likewise the team have many years experience in completing investigations to support disciplinary or civil action, ensuring that evidence is gathered in line with Employment Law and client disciplinary policies. Other specialists within the wider Audit North team are able to bring skills from accounting investigations for listed companies and a comprehensive knowledge of mandatory public sector codes, where compliance is an issue.

• Data Analytics: Team members have built analytical models, using a range of software tools, to identify anomalous transaction patterns for further investigation, both for our existing clients and in their previous roles. Such models have proved successful in identifying substantial amounts at risk, as confirmed by subsequent investigations.

• Fraud awareness and investigation training: We carry out extensive fraud awareness-raising programmes across our client base using presentations, scenarios and web-based tools. These provide a cost effective way of equipping front-line managers and staff with the knowledge needed to spot and stop fraud. Team members have experience of training in-house internal audit teams – including teams from a multi-national corporation and a central government department - in fraud detection and investigation.

• Counter fraud strategy and policy: We can assist you in developing an appropriate counter fraud strategy for your business and in drafting strategy and policy documents, including sharing many examples of good practice from elsewhere. Our experience includes working with many organisations in the NHS, central and regional government, higher education and the housing sectors to design and implement appropriate fraud response procedures.

• Whistle-blowing procedures: We know what works and what doesn’t work when it comes to encouraging staff to report suspicions of fraud or malpractice, and we have experience of evaluating whistle-blowing policies across the public sector. We can review your procedures, or assist your in-house teams in doing so, to help your Audit Committee discharge the requirement for an annual review of whistle-blowing arrangements.

• Security management services: We can provide a wide range of services from assessing your security controls, through to security awareness raising and conflict resolution training for your staff. In line with the Audit North vision, all of the above services can be accessed at our not-for-profit rates. To find out more about our team, please click here.