On June 5, 2025, the fifth lecture of the Financial Academy, organized by the Business Club and the FEBA Alumni Club, took place in Room 320 at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (FEBA). The topic was “Psychology in Auditing: Identifying Manipulation and Unethical Behavior”, and the session was led by top experts from KPMG.

The event brought together students from various disciplines, drawn by the opportunity to delve into real-world challenges in the field of auditing. They had the privilege of working with:

• Georgi Vasilev – Associate Director, Audit
• Anton Petev – Audit Manager
• Teodor Gyurov – Senior Auditor
• Stefan Vasilev – Senior Auditor
• Gergana Racheva – Senior Auditor
• Asiana Krasteva – Senior Auditor

A central focus of the lecture was the analysis of psychological factors that influence employee behavior within organizations—especially in contexts involving information concealment, manipulation, and breaches of ethical standards. Participants learned to “read between the lines” and how auditors can identify red flags through careful observation and strategic questioning.

The second part of the event featured practical exercises in which students were divided into teams and given real-world case studies developed by KPMG. Their task was to analyze employee behavior in simulated scenarios and detect potential signs of unethical conduct.

The KPMG experts guided the participants throughout the process, sharing insights from real-world practice and providing valuable feedback. The students actively engaged in the exercises, demonstrating analytical thinking and the ability to perform under pressure—skills that are critical for any successful auditor.

At the end of the event, participants shared that the topic was not only timely but also extremely useful for their development as future professionals. The opportunity to interact with practitioners of such high caliber was both motivating and inspiring. All participants who completed the case study exercises will receive a certificate of participation, confirming the knowledge and skills they acquired.

The event was part of the ongoing Financial Academy lecture series—an educational initiative designed to prepare students for real-world challenges in the fields of finance and auditing.