Fraud analysis, financial analysis, and business advisory
Clear answers from the numbers behind your business.
Barriteau Advisory works with business owners and organizations. Each report states what was found and lists the specific changes to make.
Request an introductory callView servicesAccounts payable review
| Date | Vendor | Invoice | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03/04 | Harlan Supply | INV-20418 | 4,860.00 |
| 03/09 | Delmar Freight | INV-7731 | 1,215.50 |
| 03/11 | Harlan Supply | INV-20418 | 4,860.00 |
| 03/15 | Pike Office Group | INV-0092 | 642.75 |
Invoice 20418 was paid twice, seven days apart. Matching invoice numbers before release would have stopped the second payment.
Services
Each service ends with a written deliverable.
Fraud risk assessment
A review of financial records, approval workflows, and internal controls to find where money could leave the business unnoticed. A sample of transactions is tested against supporting documents.
Financial analysis
Review of financial statements, margins, cash flow, and budgets to support planning, lender conversations, and management decisions.
Business advisory
Guidance for owners who are starting, scaling, or restructuring a company, covering bookkeeping setup, monthly reporting, spending approvals, and written operating procedures.
Insights
Short references for business owners, with sources listed below.
Updated November 2026
How workplace fraud is usually found
Key takeaways
- Tips detected 43% of the 2,402 occupational fraud cases in the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners [ACFE] 2026 study (ACFE, 2026).
- The median case ran 12 months before detection, and the median loss was $104,000 (ACFE, 2026).
- Perpetrators showed at least one behavioral red flag in 84% of cases (ACFE, 2026).
A confidential way for employees and vendors to report concerns covers the detection method that accounted for 43% of cases.
Five payment controls to check this month
- The person who approves a payment is not the person who sends it.
- Invoice numbers are matched against past payments before release.
- Bank statements are reconciled each month by someone who does not handle deposits or checks.
- The vendor list is reviewed for duplicate names, shared addresses, and vendors with no recent work.
- Employees and vendors have a confidential way to report concerns.
A fraud risk assessment tests whether these controls operate as written. Open the printable checklist.
Is a fraud risk assessment right for you?
Check each statement that applies.
- One person can both approve and send payments.
- Bank statements are reconciled by someone who also handles deposits or checks.
- The vendor list has not been reviewed in the past year.
- Employees and vendors have no confidential way to report concerns.
- A payment, vendor, or account change has surprised you.
If any statement applies, an introductory call can identify where a review would start.
What a fraud risk assessment reviews
The review starts with bank statements, the general ledger, the vendor list, and payment approvals. Tests look for duplicate payments, payments just under an approval limit, and vendors with no recent work.
The result is a written report that lists each exposure by level of risk, with a control change for each.
Five numbers to review each month
- Cash balance
- Unpaid customer invoices, grouped by age
- Unpaid vendor bills and their due dates
- Gross margin
- Payroll as a share of revenue
Reviewing the same five numbers on the same day each month shows changes early.
Sources
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. (2026, May 12). Report: 84% of fraudsters show at least one behavioral red flag [Press release]. https://www.acfe.com/about-the-acfe/newsroom-for-media/press-releases/press-release-detail?s=occupational-fraud-2026-a-report-to-the-nations-pr
How an engagement runs
- Introductory callYou describe the situation and the questions that need answers.
- Written agreementScope, deliverables, timeline, and fee are set in writing before work begins.
- FieldworkRecords are reviewed and tested. Questions are sent to you as they arise.
- Findings reviewYou receive the report and a call to review each finding.
Frequently asked questions
Which services does Barriteau Advisory not provide?
Barriteau Advisory does not give investment advice, prepare tax returns, perform audits, or provide legal services. Those services require a license or registration. Clients who need them receive a referral to a licensed professional.
What records do I need to share?
The records depend on the service. A fraud risk assessment typically uses bank statements, the general ledger, vendor lists, and payment approvals. A financial analysis uses financial statements, budgets, and cash flow records.
How is my information protected?
Information is shared only as agreed in writing, and records are requested only for the scope of the engagement.
What happens if the review finds fraud?
The report documents the findings and the records that support them. The owner decides on next steps, which may include contacting an attorney or law enforcement.
About
Elle Barriteau founded Barriteau Advisory to bring careful financial review to small and mid-sized businesses. Her work covers accounting, finance, and fraud examination.
Every engagement is handled directly by Elle, from the first call to the final report.
- ConfidentialityClient information is shared only as agreed in writing.
- Plain languageEach report defines its terms for readers without an accounting background.
Request an introductory call
Describe your situation in a few sentences. Elle replies by email to schedule the call.
contact@barriteauadvisory.com