13.
Film and Movie Analysis in the Accounting Classroom:
Helping Students Better Understand Why People Commit
Fraud and Dishonest Acts
Presenter: Edwin Mah, Providence College
Description: Perhaps more
than ever, it is critical for our accounting students to better understand the
fraud process so that they can be effective in their careers as (to name a few)
public accountants, internal auditors, or private accountants.
According to Steve Albrecht, the
"Fraud Triangle" consists of three interacting factors: (1) perceived
pressure, (2) perceived opportunity, and (3) rationalization. Each of these
factors must generally be present for fraudulent activity to occur.
Examples of pressure include
personal financial losses or work-related demands to meet certain financial
targets. Opportunities typically exist because of internal control weaknesses
or unique circumstances that allow a fraudulent or dishonest act to go
undetected and without punishment. The third element of the "Fraud
Triangle"-rationalization of the act-includes the excuses people offer to
explain their behavior, e.g., "The money is for a good
purpose."
Analyzing popular movies such as A
Simple Plan and Quiz Show can be a supplement to lecturing or case discussions
about the fraud process. Movies help students understand and actually see how
the presence of pressure, opportunity, and rationalization can lead to
disaster.
In this session, you'll see just one
way how this learning activity can be implemented in your classroom.
