Finance & supply chain · Short course
Procurement Fraud Detection and Prevention
Recognising procurement vulnerabilities and considering controls that support integrity.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Recognising procurement vulnerabilities and considering controls that support integrity.
The programme brings together fraud exposure, warning signs, preventive controls and response coordination. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: A fictional purchasing review identifies unusual supplier patterns and repeated exceptions to normal controls. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Procurement staff, internal-control teams and managers.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Map opportunities for manipulation within the purchasing process.
- Distinguish warning signs from conclusions that require investigation.
- Propose preventive controls and clear responsibility for exceptions.
- Prepare an escalation brief that preserves relevant information.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Fraud exposure
This part of the programme examines fraud exposure, with attention to vulnerabilities in procurement activities. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Vulnerabilities in procurement activities.
- Examining where one person can initiate, approve and verify the same transaction.
- Considering how supplier information, exceptions and weak records may affect oversight.
- Applied work: map opportunities for manipulation within the purchasing process.
Illustrative practical exercise
Map opportunities for manipulation within the purchasing process. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Warning signs
This part of the programme examines warning signs, with attention to unusual patterns and conflicts of interest. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Unusual patterns.
- Conflicts of interest.
- Applied work: distinguish warning signs from conclusions that require investigation.
Illustrative practical exercise
Distinguish warning signs from conclusions that require investigation. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Preventive controls
This part of the programme examines preventive controls, with attention to segregation, transparency and records. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Segregation.
- Transparency.
- Records.
- Applied work: propose preventive controls and clear responsibility for exceptions.
Illustrative practical exercise
Propose preventive controls and clear responsibility for exceptions. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Response coordination
This part of the programme examines response coordination, with attention to escalation and preserving information. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Escalation.
- Preserving information.
- Applied work: prepare an escalation brief that preserves relevant information.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare an escalation brief that preserves relevant information. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
A fictional purchasing review identifies unusual supplier patterns and repeated exceptions to normal controls. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.