Best way for parameters on Benford

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ericardo79
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Joined: 03/07/2019 - 21:58
Best way for parameters on Benford

Hi,
Has anyone used Benford? I was asked to try and use the Benford on IDEA but I have no idea what parameters I should enter!
Any tips? Thanks!!

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Brian Element
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Joined: 07/11/2012 - 19:57

Hi ericardo79,

I would stick with the default parameters and see what your results are.  The only ones that would change anything is the fuzzy logic ones in the advance menu.

If you are getting a large number of suspicious items you might want to change the 70% default to 80% or higher to see what you get.

There are several videos on Benford's law by caseware on YouTube that you might want to watch:

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=caseware+benford%27s+law+explained

This is a video that we usually play in one of the training courses when we are discussing Benford's law. The references are a bit data but the source material is still good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuDaPPXgXoM

EChiu
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Joined: 03/04/2021 - 19:39

Hi Brian,
Is there any guidance that I could refer to on the rationale for caseware IDEA in selecting the transactions for suspicious items? 
Thank you.

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Brian Element
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Joined: 07/11/2012 - 19:57

Hi EChiu,

I don't have the numbers in front of me but I believe to be highly suspicious the numbers have to be 98% of the upper limit or greater and to be suspicious they have to be 95% of the upper limit or greater.