Fraud, Mentoring, and AI: Serena Morones on Transforming Forensic Accounting

Serena Morones on Forensic Accounting, Mentoring, and Using AI to Find Fraud Faster Podcast host Kelly interviews Serena Morones of Morones Analytics about fraud, forensic accounting, and her career path. In a speed round, Morones says she’d most like to have a meal with Robert Jesenick, the CEO behind Oregon’s largest Ponzi scheme (Aequitas), to understand how rationalization and the “slippery slope” begin.  They discuss gender patterns in fraud: women more often in classic embezzlement/bookkeeper cases, men more often in complex multi-entity schemes and investment fraud with larger dollar amounts. Morones recounts shifting from plans for law school to forensic accounting after seeing litigation-support work at Pricewaterhouse, emphasizing creativity, communication, and courage. She describes monthly group mentoring sessions and her focus on credibility and truth-telling among expert witnesses. Morones also shares her sports photography hobby and explains how AI is improving investigations by speeding document analysis and visualization, with a staff member dedicated to tool development. She notes she most enjoys investment fraud cases, recommends “Mr. Bates vs the Post Office” and “The Big Short,” and encourages young professionals to pursue the field for justice while staying committed to truth in court. 00:00 Welcome Serena Morones 00:45 Meal With a Fraudster 04:14 Men vs Women Theft 08:29 Building Morones Analytics 13:24 Creativity in Forensics 17:33 Mentoring the Next Gen 20:59 Sports Photography Outlet 22:39 AI in Forensic Accounting 32:47 Favorite Case Types 34:54 Fraud in Pop Culture 38:07 Gerry Spence Truth Lesson 40:13 Career Advice and Wrap Connect with Serena: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serenamorones/ https://moronesanalytics.com/team/serena-morones/