Fraud, Forensic Accounting & Internal Controls |
In the 2016 Report to the Nations, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners estimates that the average organization loses more than 5% of its total annual revenue to fraud and abuse. This translates to approximately $650 billion annually for U.S. businesses, with small businesses the hardest hit. Whether it is the result of corruption, misappropriation of assets or fraudulent financial reporting, losses due to employee theft and fraud can be reduced and often prevented. Dermody, Burke & Brown (DB&B) employs professional staff who are experienced and trained to identify potential risks and help install anti-fraud controls. We currently have two Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE) on staff.
Karen Hovey, CPA, CFE/CFF
Karen Hovey is a Principal in the Tax Department at Dermody, Burke & Brown CPAs, LLC. She has over 30 years of experience in audit, tax, and accounting services. She specializes in the preparation and review of complex individual and business returns, including multi-state returns.
She has over 20 years of experience as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and has worked on a variety of fraud cases and internal control reviews. Karen also has experience in financial statement preparation and review, including audits, reviews, and compilations for both business and tax-exempt organizations.
Education & Professional Certifications
Karen has a bachelor’s degree from Clarkson University and is member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA), American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). She is also a Certified in Financial Forensics (CFF) member of the AICPA. She currently serves as a board member and chair of the Audit Committee for AccessCNY and as a board member of AURORA of Central New York, Inc. She is a former treasurer for the Upstate Chapter of the ACFE.
Shannon Nelson, CPA, CFE, CITP
Shannon B. Nelson is a member of Dermody, Burke & Brown and is the administrative leader of the Audit and Accounting division. With over 30 years of experience, she provides comprehensive auditing and consulting services to a variety of clients, including governmental agencies, health and human services organizations.
Specializing in fraud prevention and detection, Shannon holds the designation of Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and is committed to helping organizations safeguard their assets. She provides experience in the review of internal controls and is a trusted advisor for clients seeking to enhance their operations and ensure compliance. Shannon has also been a guest speaker on topics such as internal controls, fraud prevention, and financial literacy at various events.
Education & Professional Certifications
Shannon is a graduate of St. John Fisher College and is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA), and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Additionally, she holds credentials as a Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) by the AICPA, further expanding her ability to integrate technology solutions into audit and accounting practices.
In addition to her professional commitments, Shannon currently serves as a board member and treasurer for Meals on Wheels of Syracuse.