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1 – 10 of over 11000Chun‐Keung Hoi and Ashok Robin
This paper aims to examine the research questions: Do executive and non‐executive directors face similar labor market penalties upon revelation of accounting fraud? Are all…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the research questions: Do executive and non‐executive directors face similar labor market penalties upon revelation of accounting fraud? Are all executive directors treated by markets as a homogenous group? Or, do executive directors who are top managers face stiffer penalties than other executive directors?
Design/methodology/approach
Board membership of incumbent directors in US firms accused of accounting fraud are tracked for three years after the revelation. Two labor market consequences/penalties are considered. Probability of losing internal, own firm board seat is the likelihood that incumbent directors leave the accused firm's board upon accounting fraud revelation. The likelihood of losing at least one external board seat (outside directorship) is also examined. Both univariate tests and multivariate LOGIT regressions are used to conduct the analysis.
Findings
Compared to non‐executive directors, executive directors are more than twice as likely to lose own firm board seat and at least five times as likely to lose at least one outside directorship. Moreover, all executives, top or otherwise, appear to face similar tough penalties.
Research limitation/implications
Accounting fraud is a rare event; this may limit the generality of the findings. Results obtained from a US sample may be applicable to countries with well‐developed capital and labor markets. Results imply that the labor market for directors serves a vital function in the US‐style corporate governance environment; labor market discipline provides at least some incentives for board members, including non‐employee directors and other executive directors, to perform their fiduciary duties.
Originality/value
This is the first study that utilizes a single corporate event to analyze the operation of the labor market across different categories of directors. Also, while studies have examined penalties on top executives there is no evidence that other executives who also serve on the board of the accused firms suffer labor market penalties.
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This paper examines the role of professional associations, governmental agencies, and international accounting and auditing bodies in promulgating standards to deter and detect…
Abstract
This paper examines the role of professional associations, governmental agencies, and international accounting and auditing bodies in promulgating standards to deter and detect fraud, domestically and abroad. Specifically, it focuses on the role played by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA), the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the US Government Accounting Office (GAO), and other national and foreign professional associations, in promulgating auditing standards and procedures to prevent fraud in financial statements and other white‐collar crimes. It also examines several fraud cases and the impact of management and employee fraud on the various business sectors such as insurance, banking, health care, and manufacturing, as well as the role of management, the boards of directors, the audit committees, auditors, and fraud examiners and their liability in the fraud prevention and investigation.
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Dwi Marlina Wijayanti, Yayu Putri Senjani and Wilda Farah
This study aims to explore personal and organizational factors in mitigating fraud intention through machiavellian personality, altruistic personality, religiousity…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore personal and organizational factors in mitigating fraud intention through machiavellian personality, altruistic personality, religiousity, whistleblowing system, and accounting firm size. Companies will suffer greater losses if they cannot prevent fraudulent practices. The fraud hexagon theory is considered effective in detecting the possibility of fraud and the tendency of fraud motivated by personal and organizational factors. Therefore, the researchers examined several factors, including Machiavellian, altruism, religiosity, whistleblowing system and accounting firm size in mitigating fraud intention.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used a self-administered survey of accountants in Indonesia. The accountants were selected as the sample because the accounting profession has considerable potential in committing fraud. To avoid common method bias, the authors performed ex ante and ex post on the questionnaire. This research model was tested using structural equation modeling-partial least square.
Findings
The results revealed that personal factors in the form of Machiavellian, altruism and religiosity had a direct impact on decreasing fraud intention. In addition, whistleblowing system and accounting firm size were able to promote the effectiveness of fraud mitigation.
Research limitations/implications
This study uses one profession, namely, accountants, so it requires further research to see the similarity of results in other professions.
Practical implications
The results contribute to managerial decision-making. Companies should include personal tests during employee recruitment because personal factors are the key to determining individual fraud behavior.
Social implications
Combining personal factors and organizational factors can promote the success of the internal control system, so that individuals are encouraged to do ethical things.
Originality/value
This study combines personal and organizational factors in mitigating fraud, so as to know accurately which factors are most capable of mitigating fraud.
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The purpose of this article, which is based on author's study, is to highlight the essential attributes of forensic accountants and to construct the forensic accountant…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article, which is based on author's study, is to highlight the essential attributes of forensic accountants and to construct the forensic accountant “blueprint” as a reference for forensic accounting education and training.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses primary and secondary data on forensic accounting profession in Indonesia and the USA. Such data were collected by means of literature reviews, in-depth interviews, and a focus group discussion with a number of forensic accounting professionals in Indonesia and the USA.
Findings
The author establishes that the “problem-based” nature of forensic accounting requires a unique approach in producing forensic accountants compared to ordinary accountants. The essential attributes that a forensic accountant needs to possess are mentality, method, and experience. “Mentality” consists of elements such as ability to differentiate the right from the wrong, courage to stand up for what is right, ability to withstand pressures from the works, and puzzle solving mindsets. “Methods” refer to the understanding of the fraud investigation process such as fraud detection, evidences, investigation methods, and investigation report. “Experience” as the third attribute is gained primarily through involvement in fraud investigation process in which a forensic accountant utilizes his or her knowledge previously acquired through education and training.
Research limitations/implications
Forensic accounting is a problem oriented skill that may differ across countries. Due to the time and financial resource constraint, this study is limited only on two countries and a small number of respondents. For future study, more countries and respondents should be included in analysis to gain a more complete picture on what constitute a forensic accountant.
Practical implications
The results of this study contribute to the development of human resource in the forensic accounting profession. More specifically, they serve as a reference in the development of curriculum for forensic accounting education and training especially in Indonesia.
Originality/value
This paper sees forensic accountant skill development from the “demand” point of view by highlighting what that the profession expects from a forensic accountant.
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Polydoros Demetriades and Samuel Owusu-Agyei
The purpose of this paper is to examine Toshiba’s fraudulent financial reporting in relation to the fraud diamond (pressure, opportunity, rationalisation and capability).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine Toshiba’s fraudulent financial reporting in relation to the fraud diamond (pressure, opportunity, rationalisation and capability).
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative empirical research, analysing secondary data from Toshiba’s published annual reports before restatement, from 2008–2014 has been used. A simultaneous equations approach was used to test the hypothesis. Excel software was used to analyse secondary data and to carry out correlation analysis and descriptive statistics analysis.
Findings
This study uncovers evidence that pressure proxied by return on assets (ROA), the opportunity proxied by ineffective monitoring (BDOUT), rationalisation proxied by audit opinion (AO) and capability proxied by board member changes (BCHANGE) had moderate to strong relationship to financial statement fraud (FSF) (proxied by Beneish M-score model). However, ROA has a negative and significant effect on Toshiba’s FSF. BDOUT, AO and BCHANGE have positive and significant effect on Toshiba’s FSF. Furthermore, there is no multicollinearity problem within the four variables. Overall, this study has statistically proven that all dimensions of fraud diamond are required for the explanation of Toshiba’s accounting scandal.
Originality/value
Although a few studies discuss the four dimensions (fraud diamond), none, to our surprise, exists which explain the circumstances led Toshiba’s high-level executives to commit fraud. This study is the first thorough investigation of Toshiba’s accounting scandal that uses all four dimensions to explain Toshiba’s FSF.
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Lan Anh Nguyen, Brendan O'Connell, Michael Kend, Van Anh Thi Pham and Gillian Vesty
The study explores accountants' views of the likelihood of widespread accounting manipulation in the emerging economy, Vietnam. Applying the fraud triangle framework, we examine…
Abstract
Purpose
The study explores accountants' views of the likelihood of widespread accounting manipulation in the emerging economy, Vietnam. Applying the fraud triangle framework, we examine accountants' responses to management pressure, manipulation opportunities and perceptions of how they rationalize their decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study uses an experimental methodology involving 592 Vietnamese accountants as participants. Post-experiment field interviews were conducted with eight highly experienced accountants.
Findings
Our findings indicate that accounting manipulation is perceived to be common in Vietnam. The findings reveal that there is no differentiation between manipulation of accounting transactions with or without management pressure and no differentiation between collective gain or individual gain.
Research limitations/implications
While the study focused on accountants' perceptions of accounting manipulation, these views may change over time. The impact of law reforms and the potential for prosecution under the force of law provisions could alter these perceptions.
Practical implications
The study findings alert regulators, government authorities and auditors of the perceptions and views in relation to accounting manipulation and the potential for fraud in Vietnam. Auditors could use help from forensic specialists to uncover unethical behaviors identified in this study.
Originality/value
The fraud triangle framework is used to shed light on fraud through the examination of accounting manipulation in Vietnam. We contribute to the relevant accounting literature with insights into accountants' motivations toward conducting questionable accounting transactions. The contributions we make draw attention to preconceptions of Asian societies; in particular, accounting actions to motivate collectivist gains. While we shed further light on fraudulent accounting, we conclude that the fraud triangle framework does not necessarily articulate fraud well in relation to accounting manipulation in emerging economies.
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Baljinder Kaur, Kiran Sood and Simon Grima
This paper aims to determine how forensic accounting contributes to fraud detection and prevention and answer the following research questions: What are the standard techniques…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to determine how forensic accounting contributes to fraud detection and prevention and answer the following research questions: What are the standard techniques for fraud detection and prevention; and What are the significant challenges that hinder the application of forensic accounting in fraud prevention and detection?
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) method to carry out a systematic literature review (SLR) to identify and assess the existing literature on forensic accounting.
Findings
There exists a positive correlation between forensic accounting and fraud detection and prevention. Moreover, in both the empirical and non-empirical findings, the authors note that fraud is complex, and in carrying out fraud investigations, one must be aware of its complexity.
Practical implications
Although drug counterfeiting is a sector where forensic accountants have paid less attention, it is a rapidly expanding fraud area. This paper finds that to detect fraud at an early stage, one must increase consumer understanding of basic forensic accounting techniques by implementing accurate supply chain monitoring systems and inventory management controls and conducting adequate and effective regulatory, honest and legitimate customs inspections.
Social implications
The major factors that restrict forensic accounting are a lack of awareness and education. Hence, it is essential to incorporate forensic accounting in undergraduate and post-graduate courses.
Originality/value
From the existing literature, it has been observed that very few studies have been conducted in this field using the PRISMA and SLR techniques. Also, the authors carried out a holistic study that focuses on three different areas – fraud detection, fraud prevention and the challenges in forensic accounting.
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Endah Tri Wahyuningtyas and Aisyaturrahmi Aisyaturrahmi
The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between accounting fraud and the gender of chief financial officers (CFOs).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between accounting fraud and the gender of chief financial officers (CFOs).
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a sample of US-listed firms for the period from 2000 to 2010. This paper takes this distribution of the sample observations because firms sanctioned by the Securities and Exchange Commission as reported in Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Releases for fraud are more heavily weighted in the 2000 to 2010 period.
Findings
This study provides considerable evidence to suggest that firms with female CFOs are negatively associated with accounting fraud. The study also suggests that in state-owned enterprises, in which political concerns are likely to be more pronounced, the relationship between female CFOs and accounting fraud is negatively less significant. This study conducts an additional test about when and why boards’ diversity reduces accounting fraud or concerns. The result shows that the structure of gender-mixed boards is better than male-only boards. Therefore, it is important to control the activities or decisions of powerful chief executive officers.
Research limitations/implications
In general, the findings contribute to the current discussion on the necessity of increasing gender diversity as a corporate governance mechanism. This study is specifically focussed on CFOs that may directly have important implications for financial reporting and corporate governance.
Originality/value
This paper extends prior research by addressing the potential effects of female CFOs on accounting fraud. For example, Zhou et al. (2018) examine the relationship between executive compensation and the incidence of corporate fraud in Chinese listed companies from the perspective of delisting pressure. The result documents that there is no a relationship between CFO gender and accounting fraud. The results, however, find that female CFOs are negatively associated with accounting fraud; meaning that the presence of female CFOs brings positive implications for financial reporting and corporate governance.
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Ika Sari Wahyuni-TD, Hasnah Haron and Yudi Fernando
This study aims to investigate the direct and indirect effects of good governance and fraud prevention on the performance of Zakat institutions.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the direct and indirect effects of good governance and fraud prevention on the performance of Zakat institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
A theoretical model was developed based on stakeholder theory, and data were collected from Indonesian Zakat institutions through convenience sampling design. In total, 142 data sets were analysed using partial least squares-structural equation modelling statistical software.
Findings
The results showed that good governance and fraud prevention significantly impact the performance of Zakat institutions. Yet, there was no significant influence of the fairness principle of good governance on Zakat performance in either direct or indirect relationships with fraud prevention.
Practical implications
The results indicated that Zakat institutions as trusted agencies should pay more attention to fairness implementations to avoid fraud. Furthermore, fairness is an early signal that accountants can use to detect either fraudulent or mismanaged Zakat distribution.
Originality/value
This paper provides the empirical justification for a theoretical model of Zakat performance that was conceptualized using good governance principles and Sharīʿah forensic accounting principles.
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Kiymet Tunca Caliyurt and David Crowther
Accounting is a social science. Recent developments in society have necessitated new regulations in accounting and required accountants to apply these regulations. In this…
Abstract
Accounting is a social science. Recent developments in society have necessitated new regulations in accounting and required accountants to apply these regulations. In this context, it is argued that accounting academics should revise their course material to educate students more appropriately to the current environment. After several accounting scandals in the world, especially in the USA, ethics course in business schools have become required by accounting related institutions like the American International Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Association of Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). It is aimed to educate more ethical students by integrating ethics into accounting programs and thereby it is hoped / expected that it will be possible to reduce the level of fraud in the accounting world with more ethics educated accountants. A similar level of pressure is not seen with regard to fraud education in business schools. We argue however that even if an accountant behaves ethically, he/she should know how to behave when faced with fraud in the business environment and so needs knowledge about fraud detection, fraud prevention, fraud investigation and fraud reporting. In the business schools of USA and Europe, fraud education has started to take its deserved place in the curriculum and research centers on fraud are being opened by universities. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiner (ACFE), which is the largest nongovernmental organization in the world with 31.000 members, supports universities and accounting academicians with different facilities like courses and books. ACFE supports 295 universities where there is at least 3 credit courses under the name of fraud examination in USA. The other nongovernmental organization which supports fraud education in the accounting programs is the American Instituation of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). Turkey, IFAC member and candidate member of the European Union, tries to follow recent developments in the world of accounting. Even if there is no pressure by any institution, Caliyurt (2003) noted that 55.3% of the accounting academicians teach about ethics in their accounting courses. This study aims to determine the importance of fraud education as taught by Turkish accounting academicians to accounting students in public and private business schools. As the result it is found that 50% of the accounting academician teach about fraud in their accounting courses but, unfortunately, only 7.1 % of them had education on fraud during their personal education.
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