Graduate Accounting Students Aid Fraud Victims Through Forensic Investigation | Image Source: Marquette.edu
MILWAUKEE, Wis., 6 December 2024 - Accountants graduated from Marquette University follow an unconventional course in their academic career, using their skills to seek justice from victims of fraud. Within the framework of the Fraud Victims Justice project, students Brittany Mani and Janaki Rawal collaborate with Assistant Professor April DeValkenaere in cases of fraud in the real world, showing the critical role of legal accounting in the legal system.
Combining the Academy with the Impact of the Real World
The initiative provides students with practical experience while analyzing financial records and preparing forensic accounting reports. These reports, which are used as evidence in court cases, deal with complex fraud situations. According to DeValkenare, the project culminates in years of efforts and collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, including regular meetings in the police department of Wauwatosa. “It was not an easy task to bring this effort together, it was years in the realization,” DeValkenaere said, stressing the importance of the project at university and the practical application.
Addressing gaps in justice for vulnerable victims
The project focuses on cases where victims lack financial resources to conduct independent fraud investigations. Court accounting services, which can cost more than $20,000, are often inaccessible to people who have already suffered financial losses. Stressing the urgency of this work, DeValkenaere shared a recent case in which an elderly victim with dementia, whose guardian hijacked $750,000. The team’s efforts revealed that two thirds of the stolen funds had been spent on luxury items not related to the victim’s care, which would allow a legal remedy that would otherwise have been impossible.
Learning Beyond the Class
Both Mani and Rawal credited their courses to Dr. Joe Wall, who specializes in fraud and analysis, for awakening his interest in forensic accounting. The practical nature of Wall’s teaching and the encouragement of the chairman of the department, Dr. Kevin Rich, prepared them for the difficult work they are doing now. ”Seeing these concepts playing in real life added a new dimension to my education,” Rawal said, reflecting on the broader implications of their training.
The science of fraud detection
Students of the program deepen in legal terms and psychological frameworks such as Pentagon fraud, which examines factors such as competition, arrogance and rationalization in fraudulent behaviour. This multifaceted approach enables them to address the complexity of fraud cases. “The experience I gain is valuable because it is rooted in the real world,” said Mani, highlighting the transformative impact of the program on its professional development.
Forging careers in legal accounting
While Mani and Rawal are preparing to graduate, their contribution to the Fraud Victims Justice Project is distinguished by decisive moments in their academic careers. Mani, who works as a financial analyst for Charter Manufacturing, plans to integrate his new analytical skills into his role, while Rawal is ready to join Deloitte’s audit division. DeValkenaere hopes to expand the project by presenting more students to the various opportunities available in judicial accounting. ”There are so many ways for accountants that they are not even aware of them; We want to expose students to something different,” he said.
Through this initiative, the University of Marquette continues to demonstrate how innovative academic programs can make a tangible difference, making justice for victims of fraud while being the next generation of accounting professionals.
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