To develop, regulate and promote an internationally recognized accountancy profession that upholds public interest through capacity building, advocacy, innovation and sustainable practices.
Member Of
INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF KENYA
AND
THE KENYA ETHICS AND ANTI-CORRUPTION ACADEMY
FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS MASTERCLASS
BEYOND THE NUMBERS: FORENSIC ACCOUNTING & FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION
Theme: Follow the Money: From Financial Red Flags to Evidence
23RD – 27TH NOVEMBER 2026
MOMBASA.
OVERVIEW
Financial crime increasingly involves complex transactions, sophisticated corporate structures, multiple jurisdictions, digital financial platforms and emerging technologies. Fraud, corruption, money laundering, illicit enrichment, procurement-related financial crime and other economic offences frequently leave a financial trail that, when properly identified, analyzed and interpreted, can provide critical evidence for investigation, prosecution and asset recovery.
Financial investigation therefore plays a critical role in moving beyond the identification of an offence to establishing how the money was generated, where it went, who benefited, what assets were acquired and how the financial trail can be converted into admissible and actionable evidence.
The ability to “follow the money” requires more than conventional accounting knowledge. Investigators, accountants, auditors, financial analysts and other practitioners must be able to identify financial red flags, obtain and evaluate financial information, analyse transactions, trace funds and assets, identify beneficial ownership, construct financial relationships and communicate complex financial findings clearly.
The increasing use of digital financial services and virtual assets has further transformed the financial investigation landscape. Investigators and financial professionals must therefore understand emerging financial crime typologies, digital transactions, virtual assets, data analytics and the investigative opportunities and challenges presented by technology.
At the same time, effective financial investigations increasingly depend on collaboration among investigators, accountants, auditors, financial intelligence professionals, regulators, prosecutors, asset-recovery practitioners and other agencies. Cross-border transactions and sophisticated financial structures make inter-agency and international cooperation essential to successful financial investigations.
The Financial Investigations Masterclass is therefore designed to strengthen the practical capacity of professionals involved in detecting, investigating and responding to financial crime. The five-day programme will take participants through the financial investigation journey—from the identification of the first financial red flag, through intelligence gathering and financial analysis, to evidence development, case-file preparation, courtroom presentation and asset recovery.
The Masterclass adopts a highly practical “Follow the Money” approach, combining expert-led sessions, case studies, practical exercises, simulations, group work and peer learning. Participants will work progressively through a practical case study, applying the concepts and techniques introduced during the programme.
The Masterclass is intended not merely to impart knowledge, but to equip participants with practical tools that can be applied in their respective professional environments.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
This program is divided into the following five modules covering the various aspects of Financial Investigation:
| DAY | MODULE | TOPICS | KEY AREAS TO BE COVERED |
| DAY 1 | A. UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL CRIME & RECOGNISING FINANCIAL RED FLAGS | · Concept of Financial Investigation & Forensic Accounting
· Financial Crime, Fraud Schemes and Red Flags · Sources of Financial Information & Investigative Intelligence |
Participants will be introduced to the concepts, principles and purpose of financial investigation and forensic accounting, including the distinction between financial investigation, audit and forensic accounting and the role of accountants in financial investigations. It will cover major financial crime and fraud typologies, predicate offences, money laundering and common financial red flags. Participants will also explore sources of financial information and investigative intelligence, including financial and accounting records, banking and company information, digital and mobile-money records, open-source information and the identification of information gaps requiring further investigation.
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| DAY 2 | B. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS & FOLLOWING THE MONEY | · Forensic Financial Analysis Techniques
· Bank Transaction & Data Analytics for Fraud Detection · Following the Money: Financial Flow Analysis |
Participants will learn about the application of forensic financial analysis techniques to identify, interpret and reconstruct financial activity. Key areas will include transaction reconstruction, ratio, trend and variance analysis, source and application of funds, net worth and expenditure analysis, bank and transaction analysis, data analytics and exception testing. Participants will examine unusual transactions, related accounts, duplicate or split payments, supplier and employee relationships and other transaction patterns. The day will culminate in applying the follow-the-money approach to trace the source, movement and application of funds and reconstruct financial flows. |
| DAY 3 | C. TRACING ASSETS, BENEFICIARIES & PROCEEDS OF FINANCIAL CRIME | · Corroborating evidence
· Asset Tracing, Lifestyle Analysis & Beneficial Ownership · Practical Case Study: Follow the Money |
The focus will shift from financial transactions to identifying the persons, assets and beneficiaries connected to financial crime. Participants will explore methods of corroborating financial findings using documentary, witness and expert evidence, as well as inter-agency and cross-border cooperation. Key areas will include asset identification and tracing, beneficial ownership, related companies and connected persons, lifestyle analysis and unexplained wealth. A practical case study will enable participants to apply the follow-the-money methodology to identify financial flows, beneficiaries, assets and potential proceeds.
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| DAY 4 | D. FINANCIAL EVIDENCE, REPORTING & EMERGING FINANCIAL CRIME RISKS | · Financial Evidence & Evidence File Preparation
· Financial Investigation Report Writing · Emerging Financial Crime Risks & the Future of Financial Investigations – Panel Discussion |
Participants will learn how to convert financial analysis into structured, reliable and defensible evidence. The day will cover the identification and evaluation of financial evidence, source documents, working papers, evidence matrices, documentation and evidence-file organisation. It will also address the assessment and quantification of proceeds of crime, financial impact and unexplained wealth. Participants will examine the structure and preparation of financial investigation reports, including analysis, findings, supporting schedules, conclusions, limitations and objectivity. The day will conclude with a panel discussion on emerging financial crime risks, including greenwashing, FATF standards and greylisting, virtual assets, technology and AI, and evolving fraud and money-laundering typologies.
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| DAY 5 | E. PRESENTING FINANCIAL EVIDENCE & ETHICAL PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT | · The Accountant as an Expert Witness
· Professional Ethics, Independence & Integrity in Financial Investigations |
Participants will learn about effective communication, presentation and defence of financial findings. Participants will explore the role of the accountant as an expert witness, preparation for testimony, examination and cross-examination, and communicating complex financial analysis in a clear and understandable manner. The day will also emphasise professional ethics, independence, objectivity, professional scepticism, confidentiality and conflicts of interest. Participants will consider ethical challenges and the application of professional judgement in financial investigations, with emphasis on maintaining integrity and credibility throughout the investigation process. |
Target Audience:
Forensic accountants, Auditors, Financial investigators, Law-enforcement officers, Financial analysts, AML/CFT professionals, Compliance professionals, Internal auditors, Risk professionals, Prosecutors, Asset-recovery practitioners, Financial intelligence practitioners and Regulators
Your investment:
This Masterclass shall be provided at a cost of Kes.95,000. Delegates are advised to make own travel and accommodation arrangements.
Continuous Professional Development Units:
Members of ICPAK and other reciprocating professional bodies will earn 20 CPD points upon successfully attending the Master Class.
Online Booking:
We call on all participants to note that booking is available only online at www.icpak.com/events and will close 24 hours before the training session. Delegates are reminded to note that online booking for training sessions is MANDATORY and available online at www.icpak.com/events , you can also reach us through 0719074100 or email us through marketing@icpak.com
National Industrial Training Authority (NITA) Reimbursement:
The Institute is registered as a trainer with National Industrial Training Authority. The Institute’s registration number is DIT/TRN/47. Participants who are registered levy contributors should apply to NITA for reimbursement of their fees. Please note that this is applicable for Kenyan citizens only and subject to NITA regulations. Remember that to qualify you should apply to NITA for approval prior to the date of the conference. Further details can be obtained from their website www.nita.go.ke
To develop, regulate and promote an internationally recognized accountancy profession that upholds public interest through capacity building, advocacy, innovation and sustainable practices.