Last week I spent three days in the Atlanta area providing training for the Georgia CPA Society. One of the topics I presented was an in-depth session on internal investigations, called Books, Crooks & Rooks: Internal Corporate Fraud Investigations.

Here are a few pointers for companies attempting to do internal investigations:

1. Create an investigative policy that helps determine when to do a full-blown investigation.
2. Assemble a team of competent professionals, and appoint a captain for the ship. The team should include an experienced fraud examiner, corporate security, a management representative, outside consultants for specialties such as computer forensics, and legal counsel.
3. Establish a game plan. What is the scope of the investigation? What is our budget? Who does what?
4. Follow good procedures. Maintain the chain of custody of evidence, keep information confidential, and keep track of important dates in the investigation.
5. Remember that the results of your investigation may someday end up in a court room. Document your findings accordingly.