© 2018 Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, Inc.

Using Data Analytics to

Detect Fraud

Effectively Communicating the

Results of Data Analytics

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Introduction

▪ Graphical representation of data, results, or

other information

▪ Blend of art and science

▪ Requires communication skills and design

skills

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Objectives

▪ Provide clarity

▪ Provide context

Source: www.thisisindexed.com

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COMMUNICATION

PRINCIPLES

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Principle 1: Focus on the Purpose

▪ Common purposes:

• Analyze

• Educate

• Persuade

• Entertain

▪ What is the analyst trying to accomplish?

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Principle 2: The Audience Is

More Important Than Data

▪ Audience considerations

• Internal versus external

• Emotional versus rational

• Agreeable versus confrontational

• Novice versus expert

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Principle 3: Be Selective—Not

All Data Is Equal

▪ No rule requiring that everything be presented

▪ What is relevant?

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

459

7,515

5,295

8,1508,648

6,662

1,204

Transaction Date9K

8K

7K

6K

5K

4K

3K

2K

1K

0K

Nu

mb

er

of

Reco

rds

Example 1

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Example 2

Sunday Saturday

459

1,204

Transaction Date

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Principle 4: Think Visually

▪ Visuals can complement other elements of a

report.

▪ Narratives can be supplemented with a

visual.

▪ Data tables can be replaced with a visual.

▪ Each situation is unique.

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Principle 5: Determine the Data’s Role

▪ Detailed data is not required.

▪ Ease of use is a consideration.

▪ Data can be requested later for deeper

analysis.

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DESIGN ELEMENTS

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Element 1: Message

▪ Determine the overall message the data viz

is trying to communicate.

▪ Data itself is neutral.

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Element 2: Simplicity

▪ Carefully consider all elements of the design.

▪ Remove unnecessary chart junk.

▪ Ask: “Is there anything else that can be

removed?”

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Element 3: Accessories

▪ Includes all the extras on a visualization:

• Shapes

• Position

• Axis titles

• Data tables

• Trend lines

▪ Not always necessary

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Element 4: Color Selection

▪ Key considerations:

• Color blindness

• Printing of visualization (color or black and white)

• Predefined meaning

• Complementary or divergent

▪ Color directly impacts readability of visualization.

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Element 5: Visual Type

▪ Specific types have specific purposes.

▪ Choosing a chart because it is “fun” might

detract from the message.

▪ Be intentional about the visual type.

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Application to Fraud Examiners

▪ Visualizations are used throughout a fraud

examination:

• Planning

• The examination itself

• Reporting

• Trial and testimony

▪ All uses require slightly different approaches.