This Quarter at a Glance
This edition highlights new AFC research and partner resources examining AI-driven fraud risks, technology trends, and the evolving role of the internal auditor and audit committees. It also surfaces timely content that can be shared externally to support data-driven and governance-focused conversations.
Priority Moments to Amplify
- FEATURED EVENT: AI in Financial Reporting and Audit – What Audit Committees Need to Know
- A webinar for those who work with and support audit committees in their financial reporting oversight role that explores the evolution of AI in financial reporting and the audit.
- Useful for sharing with external audiences, pulling insights for blogs or social posts, and supporting stakeholder education on current audit and fraud issues.
- FEATURED RESOURCE: 2026 Anti-Fraud Technology Benchmarking Report
- A global benchmarking report on how organizations are using data analytics, AI, and emerging technologies to prevent and detect fraud
- Useful for media engagement, trend commentary, and data-driven thought leadership on the evolving fraud risk landscape.
New AFC Resources
- Fraud and Emerging Tech: Deepfakes
- A report examining how deepfakes are being used to commit fraud and what companies can do to mitigate the risk.
- Useful for media commentary, conference panels, and thought leadership on AI-enabled fraud and emerging technology risks
- The Role of the Internal Auditor: Assessing and Responding to Fraud Risk
- An AFC–IIA publication outlining how internal auditors assess and respond to evolving fraud risks.
- Useful for external discussions about governance, fraud oversight, and the expanding role of the internal audit with boards, regulators, and professional audiences.
What We’re Sharing from Partners
- 2026 Anti-Fraud Technology Benchmarking Report (ACFE)
- A global benchmarking report on how organizations are using data analytics, AI, and emerging technologies to prevent and detect fraud
- Useful for media engagement, trend commentary, and data-driven thought leadership on the evolving fraud risk landscape.
- Anti-Fraud Blueprint (ACFE)
- A practical framework to help organizations assess and strengthen their fraud risk management programs.
- Useful for external conversations about governance, fraud preparedness, and moving from awareness to action.
Continue reading for more insights.
New AFC Resources
Fraud and Emerging Tech: Deepfakes
As generative AI (genAI) continues to advance, we have seen many beneficial and productive uses of this technology. However, alongside these gains, genAI can also be misused in harmful ways. For example, genAI has made it easier for bad actors to create sophisticated deepfakes, which can be used to defraud organizations. As such, it is important for organizations to consider the potential fraud risks arising from deepfakes and how to effectively mitigate such risks.
This article, part of an emerging technology series from the Anti-Fraud Collaboration, explores what deepfakes are, how deepfakes may be used to perpetrate fraud against and within organizations, and how members of the financial reporting ecosystem can mitigate fraud risks arising from deepfakes.
The Role of the Internal Auditor: Assessing and Responding to Fraud Risk
Fraud risk remains a persistent and evolving threat to organizations of all sizes and industries, driven by geopolitical uncertainty, increasing complexity in business models, rapid technological change, and heightened economic and regulatory pressures. As trusted providers of independent and objective assurance, internal auditors play a critical role in helping organizations assess, manage, and respond to fraud risk. This publication examines the internal auditor’s responsibilities in addressing fraud risk, as defined by the Global Internal Audit Standards, and highlights practical considerations for executing that role effectively.
The publication explores how internal auditors contribute to fraud deterrence by evaluating the adequacy and effectiveness of fraud risk governance, management processes, and internal controls. It emphasizes the importance of professional skepticism as a foundational competency in identifying fraud risks, challenging assumptions, and assessing the reliability of information provided by management and other stakeholders. Through real-world examples, the publication illustrates how skepticism, data analysis, and persistence can uncover control deficiencies and fraudulent activity that might otherwise go undetected.
Explore the full report here.
What We’re Sharing from Partners
2026 Anti-Fraud Technology Benchmarking Report (ACFE)
The use of technology by both organizations and the fraudsters who target them has become a defining characteristic of the anti-fraud profession in recent years. Anti-fraud professionals and organizational leaders must take steps to continually evaluate both long-standing and emerging technologies.
To support this endeavor, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and SAS partnered to create the fourth edition of the Anti-Fraud Technology Benchmarking Report. For the first time, this report includes information on how fraudsters are using technology in their schemes, as well as how anti-fraud professionals use generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, automation and cloud computing in their work.
Download the full report here.
Anti-Fraud Blueprint (ACFE)
As fraud risks continue to evolve, organizations face increasing pressure to adapt their fraud risk management (FRM) programs to meet the complex threat landscape. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and Grant Thornton partnered to create guidance that highlights changes in fraud risks and technologies in recent years and how organizations can build, mature and enhance their FRM programs. The Anti-Fraud Blueprint provides updated, practical guidance in alignment with the Fraud Risk Management Guide, Second Edition, published in 2023 by the ACFE and COSO.