Course Information
Non-Confrontational Interviewing Techniques for Auditors and Inspectors
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
The 2-day Wicklander-Zulawski Seminar on Interviewing Techniques for Auditors and Inspectors provides the auditor, financial analyst, forensic accountant or inspector with tools to conduct more effective interviews. The course is designed to enhance interviewing skills to better prevent and detect fraud. Instruction consists of behavioral analysis, non-confrontational interview techniques, fraud indicators, methods to assess fraud vulnerability, techniques to overcome objections, and how to elicit relevant information and actionable intelligence. This course was originally developed for the FLETC-based Inspector General Criminal Investigator Academy and presented 3-4 times annually for groups of auditors and accountants associated with local, state and federal Inspector General Offices throughout the United States.
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
· Consider and apply proper room setting for the interview.
· Plan and adapt their interviewing approach according to the individuals, circumstances, and stakes involved.
· Assess verbal and non-verbal behavior and become more effective at obtaining information in person and over the telephone.
· Ask specific structured non-accusatory and non-threatening questions that are uniquely designed to identify indicators of fraud.
· Manage conversational interviews that flow naturally without undermining the overall objective of the audit.
· Elicit relevant information and actionable intelligence.
· Deal with the most common interview responses and obstacles to effectively and efficiently uncover the evidence that leads to truth and accountability.
· Overcome resistance, offer rationalizations, detect deception, and evaluate truthfulness.
· Understand and recognize the proper form and content of a subject’s statement.
Course Outline
Introduction Interpretation of Verbal and Physical Behavior/Room Setting/Cautions Case History Selective Interview Techniques Overview of Interview Reducing Resistance During Interviews Establishing Credibility: Accusations Denials: Emphatic and Explanatory Submission Obtaining the Admission-Assumptive Questions Development of the Admission Written Statement
Instructors
Brett L. Ward, CFI is Vice President of Client Relations for Wicklander-Zulawski who has led over 850 seminars on Interview & Interrogation Techniques for private, law enforcement and government entities. Brett has also conducted hundreds of investigations throughout the United States for both the public and private sectors. Brett is a frequently requested speaker at several national organizations' annual meetings including the National Retail Federation (NRF), American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS), Eye for Retail – Europe, and multiple Labor & Employment Conferences - HR (SHRM). He has extensive training in the government sector including such clients as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia. Brett began his career in corporate investigations in 1988 with the former May Company - Foley's Division. He held multiple positions throughout his tenure including Area Investigator and Corporate Investigations. He was promoted to Regional Investigations Director over multiple states in 1996 before joining Wicklander-Zulawski in April of 1998. He currently runs the Private Division and is responsible for 240 clients and 150 contract and open registration programs annually. Brett graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with a BS degree in Finance - Business Administration. Brett currently lives in Houston, Texas.
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.
The course coordinator will contact you with parking information. Handicapped parking is free at the meters around the downtown area.
Vending machines with Coca-Cola products and various snack items are available. There is also a refrigerator and microwave in our coffee bar area. Feel free to bring in your own drinks and food if you prefer.
You might want to bring a light sweater or jacket, as room temperatures vary.
To see answers to our Frequently Asked Questions, visit http://www.sao.texas.gov/training/faq.html.