Forensic review of government care scheme
KordaMentha’s Forensic team supported a government department with a system-wide review of its out-of-home care program, identifying risks related to internal controls and conflicts of interest, and recommending actions to mitigate financial and operational exposure.
Related Industries
Public SectorKordaMentha was engaged by a government department to investigate anomalies, misconduct and potential fraud within its out-of-home care scheme.
The engagement also included a review of internal control mechanisms to identify opportunities for improvement and strengthen governance.
The department faced challenges in ensuring funds were appropriately acquitted by service providers, with limited visibility over business relationships and potential conflicts of interest. There was concern that poor internal controls could lead to misapplication of funds or enable individuals to benefit financially from public resources.
Our findings were incorporated into a broader report submitted to government, informing recommendations for systemic reform.
How we helped
Our Forensic team worked closely with the department’s system review team and key stakeholders to assess risks and clarify complex issues.
- Reviewed funding deeds and acquittal mechanisms to assess compliance
- Analysed business relationships to identify potential conflicts of interest
- Assessed internal controls and processes for vulnerabilities
- Tested funding calculation methods for accuracy and integrity
- Provided recommendations to mitigate identified risks
- Delivered findings in support of the department’s broader system review
Conducted a follow-up deep dive into a specific funded organisation
Outcomes acheived
- Risk identification: Highlighted areas of concern including conflicts of interest and weak controls
- Financial exposure: Identified potential for individuals to benefit from public funds
- Governance uplift: Recommended actions to strengthen oversight and accountability
- System clarity: Helped the department understand complex issues within the scheme
- Policy impact: Findings informed recommendations submitted to government
- Follow-up engagement: Conducted further forensic review of a funded organisation
- Stakeholder confidence: Supported transparency and integrity in public service delivery
- Actionable insights: Delivered practical strategies to reduce risk and improve controls
