|
|
|
|
|
Mona, Director
Financial Advisory Services
Assignment: Investigate allegations of fraud for clients with operations in Latin America.
Where: Mexico, South and Central America, some Caribbean locales.
What we do
"I work in an area called Dispute Analysis and Investigations, or DA & I. I particularly work on the "I" side of that, meaning the investigations part. We assist companies when there are allegations of fraud, and we work with them to resolve those allegations. Sometimes that means people get fired, get prosecuted or go to jail."
Where we do it
"In the last eight weeks, we've traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico; Caracas, Venezuela; and San Juan, Puerto Rico."
Unique skills
"We have people who are fluent in Spanish, and have the forensic accounting skills to figure out what to do and what to be mindful of when we're on assignment in Latin America. We know what to do in relation to physical security or liaising with our local offices in whatever country we're in."
Sample assignment
"Our client, a manufacturer, had reason to suspect their general manager in Mexico of embezzling funds. An internal audit a few months before had not turned up any problems. But we looked at computerized records and immediately saw payments to the general manager which were not supported by paperwork. We identified nearly $5 million that had been stolen over a 3-year period by the general manager as well as the controller."
What happened next
"We presented our findings to the FBI, which was critical in making the case against the general manager, who was ultimately sent to jail. The client's insurance policy helped recover a large portion of the stolen funds, as well as a portion of our fees."
Personal safety
"We are sometimes concerned about physical security. I have been in situations in Colombia and Ecuador where I had security concerns, and they were warranted. In those cases, we have undercover armed security with us. It's a matter of managing the risk. I don't go around thinking of my job as dangerous."
Protection at home
"We have two dogs at home, Godzilla and King Kong. They are pugs. I am trying to figure out how I can claim Godzilla and King Kong as dependents. But I haven't figured that out yet."
Before PwC
"About ten years ago, I found myself competing for jobs with people who had their CPA and their MBA or both, and I didn't have either one. I was fortunate enough to become acquainted with someone who is now a PwC partner here in Chicago. I consider him to be one of my advocates, one of my mentors and someone who has helped shape my career along the way."
Certification
"Through a series of unpredictable circumstances I ended up sitting for the CPA exam with two grade-school kids at home. I passed it and then after that I got my CFE credential - Certified Fraud Examiner."
Relocation
"About a year ago I made a commitment to move from Indianapolis to Chicago, to advance my career. We went from a three-bedroom house in the suburbs to living in a condo on the lake. It definitely took some getting use to, especially for my son. But he likes it now. And the dogs love it."
Commuting
"I haven't driven to work since we moved. Whereas I would drive to work every day when I was in Indianapolis."
Music
"Since coming to Chicago, my husband and I discovered jazz. We go to a place called The Green Mill, which is pretty much a jazz institution in Chicago. One of our favorite musicians is Frank Catalano, a saxophone player."
Chip off the old block
"My son would like to be an FBI agent."
Clients
"In our line of business, the work is non-recurring. In fact, our clients hope they never see us again, because that would mean that they would have more problems with fraud."
Best part about my job
"I don't know what I am necessarily going to be working on a couple of weeks from now. I could get a call today that could mean I would be getting on a plane back down to Venezuela tomorrow."
Philosophy
"Don't ever think that your pre-conceived notion of limitation is really your limitation. If you can think it and dream it, it can happen. That may sound like a clich*, but you really don't know unless you ask. I have been pleasantly surprised at the questions that I have asked along the years, how that has been perceived and the support that I have gotten within the firm."
Favorite dessert
"Tres Leche. The first time I had it was in Ecuador. If you ever have a chance to try it, it is yummy."
|
|
|
