Course Information
The Anti-Fraud Playbook for State & Local Governments
Parking for SAO, Professional Development courses is in Garage B (1511 San Jacinto Blvd.). The Garage signage may read 1511 San Jacinto or Garage B. The elevator in Garage B is not reliable. If you are unable to walk the stairs, please contact the professionaldevelopment@sao.texas.gov for alternate parking arrangements. Handicapped parking is free at the meters around the downtown area.
A course coordinator will email you a parking permit prior to the course start date. A permit must be displayed or you will be ticketed.
Course Description
Fraud risk is a growing concern for state and local governments, and preventing fraud requires more than just reactive measures. This course provides a structured approach to implementing the Anti-Fraud Playbook for State & Local Governments, offering practical guidance on fraud risk management. Designed for auditors, program managers, finance officials, and compliance professionals, this course walks through the 16 plays outlined in the playbook—helping participants build or enhance fraud prevention programs tailored to their office’s needs.
Course Objectives
Objectives:
Understand program integrity and how fraud risk management fits within broader governance efforts
Learn strategies for proactive fraud prevention
Develop fraud risk assessments and explore control measures
Navigate the playbook's four phases
Outline:
Understand program integrity and how fraud risk management supports broader governance goals
Learn strategies for proactive fraud prevention tailored to government operations
Develop fraud risk assessments and identify risk indicators specific to state and local programs
Explore control measures that align with the risk environment and resource constraints
Navigate the playbook’s four phases to build a structured anti-fraud program
Apply the 16 plays from the Anti-Fraud Playbook to real-world challenges faced by public offices
Use practical tools and templates to strengthen fraud risk governance
Align anti-fraud strategies with internal control frameworks and audit standards
Participate in individual and group exercises to evaluate and improve current fraud prevention practices
Prerequisites
Prerequisite not required.
YB 4.23 (L)
Instructors
Parker Skaats, CPA, is the founder of Parker CPE, LLC, where he designs and facilitates courses in government accounting and advanced auditing topics. His passion is providing high quality learning opportunities that improve efficiency and quality in small to midsize audit offices.
Parker’s experience includes working for the Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC) Office of Inspector General (OIG) performing and supervising performance and financial audits under Government Auditing Standards. He has served on the Council of the Inspectors General for Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Audit Committee’s Audit Peer Review Subcommittee and on the Federal Audit Executive Council’s (FAEC) Committee on Audit Training. Prior to this role, Parker worked in the accounting department of an international not-for-profit. Parker earned his B.S. in Accounting from American University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the State of Maryland.
Additional Information
TAC Rule 523.142(g) requires the CPE Sponsor to monitor individual attendance and assign the correct number of CPE credits. Participants will be asked to document their time of arrival and departure in compliance with this Rule. Additionally, attendance will be monitored throughout the day and CPE certificates will reflect actual attendance of each participant.
If you are making travel plans to come to Austin, we recommend making "refundable" air and hotel reservations or waiting until 14 days before the class to actually book your reservations. Courses are occasionally canceled or rescheduled due to low enrollment. We determine whether a course has enough participants 16 days prior to the course date. If we cancel or reschedule, we will email the participant and his or her billing contact no later than 14 days before the original class date.
To see answers to our Frequently Asked Questions, visit Texas State Auditor's Office - Professional Development FAQs