ABC Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a listed company, is under forensic investigation following the resignation of its statutory auditors. The auditors cited concerns over financial irregularities. An internal audit revealed the f

CS Professional · Internal and Forensic Audit · PYQS · December 2025
ABC Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a listed company, is under forensic investigation following the resignation of its statutory auditors. The auditors cited concerns over financial irregularities. An internal audit revealed the following: Multiple vendor payments just under the ₹ 10 lakh approval threshold. Repetitive vendor invoice amounts ending in specific digits. Round-number expense reimbursements from a group of employees. Suspicious fund transfers through group companies to offshore accounts and back to related parties (possible layering). Email evidence of backdated invoices and manipulated purchase orders. As a forensic auditor, answer the following questions: Suggest internal audit measures and controls that could have helped in identifying these red flags earlier.

Answer & Explanation:

Internal Audit Measures & Controls Preventive Controls: Set up threshold alerts for payments near approval limits (e.g. ₹10 lakh). Implement mandatory second-level approvals for related parties and repetitive transactions. Use AI-based anomaly detection in financial systems. Detective Controls: Monthly reconciliation and review of vendor and reimbursement data. Perform trend and ratio analysis of expenses and payments. Conduct surprise audits and rotation of audit staff. Governance Controls: Strengthen whistleblower mechanisms. Mandate employee declarations of conflict of interest. Periodic email and communication audits for key departments.

Topics: Internal Audit Controls

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