Gerald Bates
Partner
Accountability for donor funds is always under scrutiny. Stakeholders must have effective methods for investigating specific concerns as well as robust frameworks and procedures that help mitigate the risks of fraud and corruption occurring.
A wide range of donor organisations including multilateral and bilateral donors, international institutions and private foundations work with us to investigate issues including financial misappropriation and theft to nepotism, bribery and conflicts of interest. Our work covers financial management, procurement, HR and conduct or compliance issues.
Our clients receive a robust and independent assessment of fraud or corruption concerns, whether identified through financial monitoring, self- reporting or whistle-blowers. We clarify the issues and their impact, enabling our clients to take appropriate subsequent actions. We have access to BDO’s wider forensic and financial crime team with forensic technology capability to extract, review and analyse electronic data.
As well as investigations, we provide a range of counter-fraud services designed to build organisational resilience to fraud and corruption risks. More information about our services, all of which are provided solely to the donor community, is set out below.
Forensic audits and reviews
We apply methodologies developed by experienced practitioners in the sector to investigate and review fraud or corruption concerns. Our work has resulted in millions of pounds worth of recoveries for our partners, and we have provided valuable insights into managing their relationships with specific grantees.
Special audits
Some partners use ‘special audits’ where a specific issue needs investigating or addressing. Often this will be to gather and present initial additional information, rather than a formal assessment of fraud or its impact. In all such cases, we design a bespoke work programme to address the specific issues or concerns.
Our counter fraud services
- Development of holistic anti-fraud and anti-corruption programmes
- Governance reviews and advice on strengthening governance arrangements
- Facilitating the implementation of whistle-blowing mechanisms
- Tailored fraud and corruption risk assessments
- Training (covering forensic investigations, awareness raising, risk assessment)
- Proactive Integrity Reviews: designed to identify areas of fraud and corruption risk in a programme, a project or an area of operations
