Analyze the multi-million dollar maple syrup heist to master fraud prevention strategies and the critical importance of effective internal controls.
Join hosts Josh Seger and Garth Sharif in the course Professional Ethics - Liquid Gold, as they unpack one of the most bizarre and massive thefts in history: the Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist. Far from a simple shoplifting case, this crime involved the systematic draining of the global strategic reserve managed by the FPAQ, the OPEC of the syrup world. With maple syrup valued higher than crude oil, this heist exposes the critical importance of internal controls, physical security, and the vigilance required to protect liquid assets.
This course moves beyond the headlines to analyze the mechanics of the fraud, where thieves replaced over 9,500 barrels of premium syrup with water. You will explore the Fraud Triangle through the lens of the perpetrators, including insiders and black market barrel rollers, and examine the rationalizations used to justify stealing from a conglomerate. The narrative culminates in the discovery of the scheme by an observant auditor, highlighting the vital role accountants play in detecting financial crimes.
Key learning outcomes include:
Whether you are interested in forensic accounting or simply fascinated by true crime, this course provides a compelling look at how a lack of oversight turned a warehouse of sticky sweet gold into a crime scene, and how professional ethics and due diligence eventually saved the day.
Founder of Sheriff Consulting
I am the founder of Sheriff Consulting which specializes in the development and delivery of accounting, auditing and foundational skill courses and workshops. Teaching and working with professionals in diverse and dynamic learning environments has been my passion and experience for over 10 years. As a qualified Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) and U.S. Certified Public Accountant (CPA), I work with finance and accounting professionals in both the U.S. and Canada to meet their training and development needs. My goal has always been to create an engaging and interactive learning environment. To help my own path of continual improvement in achieving this goal, I have also received training and worked as a professional actor. I am a member of ACTRA (the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) and a graduate in improvisation from the Second City Training Centre. http://sheriffconsulting.com/
Co-host of The Fraud Complex Podcast
Josh Sager is a co-host of The Fraud Complex podcast, bringing engaging storytelling and analysis to complex fraud cases. His background in performance and communication helps make intricate financial crimes accessible and memorable for professional audiences.
Provincial regulators of CPAs in Canada do not require that independent providers of CPD be approved to offer courses. Instead, individual CPAs are responsible for assessing whether a CPD activity meets their requirements, and may take activities from any source provided those requirements are met.
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