Author: Peter Jones
ISBN No: 0-566-08566-6
Review date: 16/12/2025
No of pages: 268
Publisher: Gower
Year of publication: 11/09/2012
Brief:
Do not be misled by the title of this excellent Fraud and Corruption in Public Services; it is essential reading for anyone, in the public or private sector, says Martin Wright.
Publishers Gower are to be congratulated for publishing a number of well written books on the subject of fraud and crime in the workplace, a large number of which have been reviewed in this magazine, and I would strongly recommend a regular visit to their website to view current publications.
Fraud and Corruption is presented and written in a style that makes it exceedingly accessible and easily to understand even by those readers who may not possess a depth of financial knowledge. The chapters develop in the reader an early base of understanding of the subject and build upon that foundation as the nature of fraud becomes more complex. Each chapter finishes with a really useful summary of the main issues, which are then illustrated by case studies; and finally there is section which provides a succinct conclusion. The book also contains a number of useful appendices, for example guides to broad risks and perpetration and a glossary of financial and accounting terms.
It is inevitable that the author will need to address some thorny issues, such as public sector corruption but this is handled in such a professional manner that confidence is quickly restored in the probity of our systems of audit and financial control. I would strongly recommend the simplicity and clarity of the illustrations and would suggest that for anyone thinking about designing a security system they follow the general principles as laid out in the diagrams for they provide an excellent guide. In conclusion, while the title of this book may not initially attract itself to a wide audience of security professionals it is has considerable potential to inform managers’ practices far beyond just issues of public sector fraud. A book well worth reading, again and again.
About the Editor
Peter Jones has worked for the Bank of England, the National Audit Office, the Audit Commission and as head of an Internal Audit department. He lectures at the Liverpool Business School and Liverpool John Moores University. He is a chartered public finance accountant, a member of the Chartered Management Institute and a Certified Fraud Examiner.
