PNW Chapter Member Photo, Andrea Kwan
We've found potentially fraudulent behavior after all of the data analysis and research, and now it's time to interview the subject. Learn how you can prepare and structure your interview to learn all you can from your subject and evaluate whether their story is credible given the evidence you've gathered. In this session, we will discuss how to establish a baseline, ask open-ended questions, evaluate responses, and follow up. You will learn some indicators of truthful or deceptive responses, including verbal cues and body language, that will guide you in where and when to dig deeper. Whether you are in audit or accounting, or on the front lines speaking with potential fraudsters, this session will help make you a more effective investigator as we dig deeper to get to the truth.
Steven Boyd, Senior Manager, Internal Investigations and Director at Large, PNW ACFE
Presenter Bio
Steven has years of experience conducting investigative interviews for both internal employees and insurance investigations. He has conducted trainings for investigators, human resources, legal, procurement and audit on how to be a more effective interviewer. In his work, he conducts investigations for internal fraud, conflicts of interest and technical investigations.
Kick off International Fraud Awareness Week with the ACFE Pacific Northwest Chapter. Learn about the existing frameworks the banking industry uses to identify, prevent and mitigate suspected elder abuse, and explore the many ways this type of abuse and fraud can present itself. It's more complicated than you might think.
Thomas "Tom" Powers, AVP - Business Operations Analyst
Tom Powers has worked in the banking industry since 1996 and has been involved in escheatment and banking compliance, both state and federal, in one way or another for his entire career. Currently he works as a Business Operations Analyst and Assistant Vice President for U.S. Bank N.A.’s Account Compliance Operations Services group based out of St. Louis, MO.
His work includes all aspects of escheatment compliance for U.S. Bank, and he works across many business lines including retail deposits and safe deposits, pre-paid cards, corporate accounting, in-house legal and commercial payment services. He works primarily in the areas of statutory compliance and analysis, risk identification and management, and penalty research and mitigation.
Tom is the current President of the Unclaimed Property Professionals Organization’s (UPPO) Board of Directors, a member of the Government Relations and Advocacy Committee and the Holders Coalition. It is a long story, but Tom holds a B.S. degree in Forest Resource Management from Southern Illinois University.
Grant-dependent nonprofits often operate with limited administrative capacity while managing complex funding requirements and significant fraud risks. Based on a manuscript accepted for publication in Strategic Finance, this session will use a COSO-based framework to examine common control weaknesses. It will also show how organizations can establish practical, right-sized internal audit and assurance activities. Attendees will leave with actionable ideas for strengthening grant oversight, documentation, monitoring, and fraud prevention.
Prince Munashe Mugwara, CIA, CFE Accounting and Internal Audit Professional
This presentation will equip participants with essential knowledge of digital fraud threats, including identity theft, various types of phishing (email, SMS, voice, and spear phishing), SIM swap scams, and injection attacks such as SQL and code injections. Attendees will learn to recognize these threats, understand how they are executed, and implement effective strategies to prevent, detect, and respond to digital fraud in both personal and professional settings.
John R. Fick III, MLS, CFE, CFCI, CECFE
Director of Fraud for Northwest Bank
John brings more than 20 years of experience in fraud prevention, detection, investigations, and security across regional and national financial institutions. He specializes in building and strengthening fraud programs, developing effective risk mitigation strategies, leading complex investigations, and fostering high-performing teams focused on reducing losses and protecting customers.
Known for his collaborative leadership style, John emphasizes communication, integrity, mentorship, and continuous improvement. His expertise spans fraud operations, program development, personnel management, and financial crimes investigations.
John holds the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Financial Crimes Investigator (CFCI), and Certified Economic Crime Forensic Examiner (CECFE) designations. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Security and Management with honors and a Master of Legal Studies from Northeastern University School of Law.
Through his leadership and industry expertise, John continues to advance fraud prevention practices and strengthen financial institutions' defenses against emerging threats.
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