Forensic Analyst

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensic Accounting

<ul>
<li>Revenue is the single most important line item on the income statement</li>
<li>Given its relative significance as a barometer of a company's financial and operating performance, the revenue line item is highly susceptible to fraudulent misstatements </li>
<li>In the 1st of this 3 part series, we discuss the Revenue Shenanigans Key Metrics. We will discuss Earnings Quality and Balance Sheet Health Key Metrics in future Insights </li>
</ul>


Revenue is the single most important line item on the income statement
Given its relative significance as a barometer of a company's financial and operating performance, the revenue line item is highly susceptible to fraudulent misstatements 
In the 1st of this 3 part series, we discuss the Revenue Shenanigans Key Metrics. We will discuss Earnings Quality and Balance Sheet Health Key Metrics in future Insights 


Forensics 101 - Revenue Recognition Shenanigans and Key Detection Metrics

In the past 4 decades, there is no lack of hedge funds focused on short-selling strategies that incorporate forensic research into their investment process. Often, the forensic research is focused on uncovering companies' vulnerabilities and betting that their stock price will fall.  
More recently, large funds have increasingly incorporated forensic accounting and investigative research techniques into their investment process, hiring former forensic accountants and investigative journalists.  The massive frauds in 2020 such as Wirecard and Luckin have brought such application of forensic accounting to the fore.
When it comes to investing, knowing what to buy is just half the equation. However, over time, facts change and/or the investment hypothesis may be wrong, which leads investors to consider resizing or exiting the existing position. In this context, the use of forensic accounting and investigative tools and techniques can be a more illuminating source of information compared to reading sell-side reports or industry research reports. 
In this Insight, we discuss how investors can incorporate forensic accounting into the investment process and bridge existing knowledge gaps of traditional fundamental analysis, with the aim of maximising portfolio returns.

In the past 4 decades, there is no lack of hedge funds focused on short-selling strategies that incorporate forensic research into their investment process. Often, the forensic research is focused on uncovering companies' vulnerabilities and betting that their stock price will fall.  
More recently, large funds have increasingly incorporated forensic accounting and investigative research techniques into their investment process, hiring former forensic accountants and investigative journalists.  The massive frauds in 2020 such as Wirecard and Luckin have brought such application of forensic accounting to the fore.
When it comes to investing, knowing what to buy is just half the equation. However, over time, facts change and/or the investment hypothesis may be wrong, which leads investors to consider resizing or exiting the existing position. In this context, the use of forensic accounting and investigative tools and techniques can be a more illuminating source of information compared to reading sell-side reports or industry research reports. 
In this Insight, we discuss how investors can incorporate forensic accounting into the investment process and bridge existing knowledge gaps of traditional fundamental analysis, with the aim of maximising portfolio returns. 

Forensics 101: Incorporating Forensic Accounting into the Investment Process

China Forestry Holdings Co / Forensic Accounting

If you asked anyone whether they think stealing is wrong, most of them would answer “Yes”.  Yet, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ recent report highlighted that organisations globally lost an estimated total of USD4.5 trillion to fraud in 2020 and the truth is, this was not the work of an exceptional few.  Why does fraud happen?  This article explores the use of the Fraud Triangle framework to evaluate and detect fraud risks in a capital markets context.

If you asked anyone whether they think stealing is wrong, most of them would answer “Yes”.  Yet, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ recent report highlighted that organisations globally lost an estimated total of USD4.5 trillion to fraud in 2020 and the truth is, this was not the work of an exceptional few.  Why does fraud happen?  This article explores the use of the Fraud Triangle framework to evaluate and detect fraud risks in a capital markets context. 

Forensics 101: Using the Fraud Triangle Framework to Detect Fraud Risks

Equity Analyst, LightStream Research

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Equity Analyst

Long-Short Analysis on Japan, Asia and the World

LightStream Research

LightStream conducts quantitatively rigorous and data-driven analysis with a focus on Japan and Asia.

We consistently cover the Tech, Consumer and Industrial sectors, and provide ECM and Events coverage more broadly.

We supplement traditional qualitative insights from company relationships with a robust quantitative foundation that examines as much historical data as is available.
We further refine the accuracy of our insights and calls through the use of alternative data to flesh out current trends, and through a valuation framework that emphasises non-superficial peer group selection and a proper attempt to understand the metrics and changes that have driven security valuations in the past.

Equity Capital Markets

We previously examined <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zomato-media-pvt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28820:1" rel="noopener">Zomato (ZOM IN)</a> and expressed our concerns regarding the company’s unit cost dynamics mentioning that the FY21 operating loss is a sign that Zomato is incapable of generating profits even from its most loyal customers who stuck with the company during the hardest days of COVID-19.The offer period begins tomorrow (will continue till 16th July 2021) at a price range of INR 72.0-76.0 per share, which implies a market cap range of INR 569.6-596.2bn.

We previously examined Zomato (ZOM IN) and expressed our concerns regarding the company’s unit cost dynamics mentioning that the FY21 operating loss is a sign that Zomato is incapable of generating profits even from its most loyal customers who stuck with the company during the hardest days of COVID-19.The offer period begins tomorrow (will continue till 16th July 2021) at a price range of INR 72.0-76.0 per share, which implies a market cap range of INR 569.6-596.2bn.

Zomato IPO Valuation: Making Losses In Most Favorable Circumstances

On 6 July 2021, Chinese regulators introduces guidelines for a crackdown on capital markets misconduct including, amongst others, data security lapses and financial fraud.  This article focuses on the financial fraud aspects of the latest guidelines, including how the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/luckin-coffee-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28046:1" rel="noopener">Luckin Coffee (LKNCY US)</a> incident might have been an impetus for the introduction of these guidelines, what the Chinese regulators' attitude had been, and how future developments might unfold.

On 6 July 2021, Chinese regulators introduces guidelines for a crackdown on capital markets misconduct including, amongst others, data security lapses and financial fraud.  This article focuses on the financial fraud aspects of the latest guidelines, including how the Luckin Coffee (LKNCY US) incident might have been an impetus for the introduction of these guidelines, what the Chinese regulators' attitude had been, and how future developments might unfold.

Tougher Chinese Regulatory Oversight of Foreign Listed Chinese Companies (With Caveats)

China

Luckin Coffee Inc. provides non-alcoholic beverages. The Company offers various types of coffee. Luckin Coffee serves customers in China.

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Luckin Coffee (LKNCY US)

Forensics 101 - Revenue Recognition Shenanigans and Key Detection Metrics

Revenue is an important financial line item and highly susceptible to fraudulent misstatements. We discuss the nature and objectives of revenue...

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensics 101: Incorporating Forensic Accounting into the Investment Process

Large funds have incorporated forensic accounting and investigative techniques into their investment process, hiring forensic accountants and...

Jason Yap, CFA

Forensics 101: Using the Fraud Triangle Framework to Detect Fraud Risks

If you asked anyone whether stealing is wrong, most would answer “Yes”. Yet, global organisations lost USD4.5 trillion to fraud. We explore the...

Jason Yap, CFA

Zomato IPO Valuation: Making Losses In Most Favorable Circumstances

Zomato made an operating loss of INR 4.9bn in FY21, indicating its impotence in generating profits even in the most favorable circumstances....

Oshadhi Kumarasiri

Tougher Chinese Regulatory Oversight of Foreign Listed Chinese Companies (With Caveats)

Chinese regulators just introduced guidelines for crackdown on capital markets misconduct, the latest one-two punch following the Didi debacle. ...

Jason Yap, CFA

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