Upcoming Events

Hamarosan megrendezésre kerül ACFE Hungary Chapter következő szakmai rendezvénye, amelyre két érdekes témával készülünk.
A webináron egyrészről az elmúlt fél éves időszakot meghatározó járványhelyzethez kapcsolódó kihívásokról és tanulságokról lesz szó a compliance teljes spektrumát áttekintve (magyar nyelven), másrészről pedig az M&A tranzakciókhoz kapcsolódó visszaélési és reputációs kockázatok megfelelő kezeléséről (angol nyelven).
Ezekkel kapcsolatosan szerzett széleskörű tapasztalataikat fogják vendégeink megosztani velünk két előadás, majd az ezeket követő Q&A blokk keretében.
A 60 perces webinár keretében többek között az alábbi kérdésekre keresünk válaszokat:

·  Melyek a legfontosabb compliance kihívások a pandémia alatti időszakban?

·  Hogyan tudja kezelni a compliance terület a meglevő és új kockázatokat a jelenlegi környezetben?

·  A CEE régióban miként jelennek meg a COVID-19-hez kapcsolódó kockázatok az M&A tranzakciókban?

·  Milyen szerepe van a compliance területnek az M&A kockázatok kezelésében?

·  Milyen red flag-ekre érdemes ügyelni az átvilágítás során, és ezeket hogyan kommunikáljuk?   

Előadók: 

• András Bácsfalvi, Compliance Igazgató at MKB
• John Wilkinson, Partner at EY

The interviewing techniques and skills key to investigating differ markedly from those with which most of us are more familiar.  While in our daily lives we have the luxury of casual questioning with the option of later follow-ups, for a fraud investigation, not only does every question counts, but how each question is asked, what we say to set up the question and even, our posture and tone, can be scrutinised.  Assuming one can just wing it is folly. 

These interrogation techniques are not like what we see dramatised on TV.  They are rarely quick and when well done, devoid of melodrama.  

Though such takes time and practice, there are methodologies and those who have amassed these skills can pass on their experience.

In this seminar, we hosted two presenters laying out methods and concerns, peppered with real life experience, that can be leveraged to conduct such an interview.  

Presenters and Panelists: 

• Márton Hegyi, CFE,  Regional Business Development Manager at SAS
• Zoltán Vadász, Manager at EY

Over a year ago, GDPR came into force Europe-wide.  Like a mini Y2K, consultancies generated small fortunes advising anybody they could to prepare for the changing landscape.  Many predicted that GDPR would generate extra income for countries while curbing spam and improving corporate IT data security.  What they did not foresee, though, was how confusing and difficult such would make conducting investigations.  

Much of GDPR creates a "Catch-22" for investigators: should one advise a person of interest that s/he is being investigated and has a right to know what data is being held?  Can that person demand to be "forgotten?"  How long can one retain the data if a case becomes dormant?  How does one save the techniques and knowledge of a case if one is supposed to remove the identities when the data is no longer being kept for the initial purpose?  Does Data Minimization apply if one is unsure of the accuracy of the data?

In this seminar, we discussed what various teams have come across, the strategies they have adopted.  We discussed how GDPR is being applied and steps we need to take to give us investigators, sufficient resource to do our jobs.  

Presenters and Panelists: 

• Zsombor Orbán, Department Head at Kinstellar
• Ádám Farkas, Senior Manager at EY

In Crimes of the Middle Classes, Wheeler (et al) forewarned that advancing technology and credit would only increase the risk of fraud while many studies, including our own bi-annual Report To the Nations, show that corruption continues to be a ranking form of fraud.  We, here in Central Europe with our rapidly maturing economies transitioning to the EU, see first-hand how corruption distorts trade and hampers fair competition.
It’s a race, and it’s one where nobody wants to lead.

In this seminar, we explored from a professional, politically neutral perspective the issues posed by corruption and how such is combated by transparency.  With József Péter Martin PhD., Hungary’s Director of Transparency International and others well-versed in the topic, we discussed:

• If others perceive that corruption is on the rise?
• If so, is it hindering investment, development and growth?  If not, then what is counteracting such?· How does corruption feed (off of) the economy?
• In CEE, are there places that fare better and worse vis-a-vis corruption?
• For those with strong compliance regimens, how do they respond to charges (or fears) of corruption?
• Are the local red flags different between CEE states?  Other parts of the EU and/or beyond?
• If corruption is increasing, what can we, as fraud investigators, do to be quicker to recognize such?
• Are there practical considerations that we should build into our compliance programs? 
• What resources are there for exposing such?

Presenters and Panelists: 

• József Péter Martin PhD, Executive Director at Transparency International Hungary, senior lecturer of Corvinus University of Budapest 

ACFE Hungary Chapter is proud to have held the very first seminar and networking event "The Dawn Raid - What a company needs to consider".  

Consider your thoughts, either to:

• waking up to agents searching your home, or
• learning that your offices are being scoured by the authorities.

For most of us, it sounds like the fodder for a Netflix movie and as unlikely to happen as winning the lottery.
The sad truth is that it does happen. And it's not just that initial harrowing experience but also the aftermath which impacts a company's reputation and especially for a CFE, the ability to investigate.
There are a multitude of reasons for raids. Some are for genuine cause but others arise because of over-reach, mistaken tips, underhanded efforts by a competitor or by being an unwitting abettor. Even if you think it could never happen, you cannot rest assured.
Being prepared with a plan that safeguards key data, identifies resources and has already thought through actions. And the first step is to understand what can happen.
In this seminar we heard from professionals who have both led and lived through such events. We talked about:

• the lesson learnt from real-life experience
• what one can do to measure the risk
• the precautions one can take, and
• strategies to consider should such transpire. 

Presenters and Panelists:

• Nicholas Sárvári, Managing Partner at CNS Risk Ltd.
• Márton Horányi, Attorney - Antitrust & Competition at Baker and McKenzie
• Michael King,  former Australian Federal Government Investigator, Director of Operations with CNS Risk London
• Ferenc Biro, Partner at Ernst & Young, Forensic & Integrity Services  .

Thanks for all who joined us to establish ACFE's Hungarian Chapter.  I think this is the beginning of a beautiful journey.