Detecting the probability of financial fraud due to earnings manipulation in companies listed in Athens Stock Exchange Market

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Maniatis

Purpose The aim of this paper is to detect whether there are companies listed in the general index of Athens Stock Exchange Market that possibly conduct earnings manipulation during 2017–2018. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based upon the Beneish model (M-score), which consists of eight variables to examine the probability of financial statement fraud related to earnings manipulation for 40 companies listed in the Athens Stock Exchange Market. Any company with an M-score −2.22 or above is likely to be a manipulator whereas any company that scores −2.22 or less is unlikely to conduct earnings manipulation. Findings After calculating the M-score for each company, it was found that 33 (out of 40) companies had M-score values lower than −2.22. Therefore, 82.5% of the sample is considered rather unlikely to conduct earnings manipulation whereas 17.5% of the companies listed in the general index of Athens Stock Exchange Market is likely to manipulate its earnings. Research limitations/implications In this paper, all institutions related to financial services were left out of the sample because of the fact that M-score cannot provide reliable results when applied on similar companies. Originality/value Beneish model offers a probability of financial fraud and can be therefore used as a supplementary test for auditors, fraud examiners or even national regulators such as the Hellenic Accounting and Auditing Standards Oversight Board or the Hellenic Capital Market Commission. The results of this paper can contribute to the literature concerning financial fraud in Greece during 2017–2018 because no relevant recent researches have been published yet.

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Aviantara

Purpose PT Garuda Indonesia (GIAA) Persero Tbk is the one only pride airline of Indonesian sovereignty. Although the bird achieved abundant international awards and certifications, the bird is dying and needs a remedy immediately. The frequent annual turnover of board executives did not make impact to the financial performance; this seems to be tip of the iceberg, peculiar with the number of restatement over the past decade. Therefore, this paper aims to address the issue through the function of five red flags model which known as Altman Z-score, Sprigate S-score, Grover G-score, Beneish M-score and Dechow F-score. Design/methodology/approach This is exploratory study of univariate analysis using financial distress and fraudulent financial statement approach, while the type of data is secondary taken from Indonesia Stock Exchange during 12 years observation from 2007 to 2018. Findings Altman, Springate and Grover produce strong indication of GIAA’s financial distress; all models score the same distress indication by 14 times. All distress models agreed that only 2011 and 2012 classify to the safe zone when GIAA performed the corporate actions. Beneish scores fraud indication by eight times. Dechow scores slightly higher by nine times. The number of fraud predictions in this research are in line with the number of restatement, which proves the assumption that restatement can be used as a signal of the financial statement fraud. When GIAA categorized in safe zone, both Beneish and Dechow score no to fraud, this indicates the fraud occurence during health period is lower. Research limitations/implications The motivation behind the financial statement fraud is not discuss through this research but from the primary theory of the fraud triangle. Financial distress possesses strong relationship with pressure factor; therefore, exit from financial crisis is one of the best solution to mitigate the financial statement fraud. Practical implications The average of Beneish score is −2,26, slightly above the manipulator threshold which is −2,22. This must be marked as an ample conjecture of GIAA’s fraud inclination and been a highlight for the auditor both internal and external when performing control testing, attestation and other assurance services. Social implications All models in this study can apply to any other corporate issues, especially for evaluating the government company who has loosen the public trust recently in Indonesia such as PT Asuransi Jiwasraya and PT Asabri. Moreover, the pandemic COVID-19 has brought the world to the new unprecedented risk, especially the economic turmoil which lead the possibilities of corporate distress and fraud. By applying these scores, public might have tools as pre-elemenary assessment to serve a decision where to put trust in a company. Originality/value This paper reveals a combination from various models of financial distress and financial statement fraud in order to generate the financial solutions named « DDCC » Debt Restructuring, Debt Conversion, Capex Management and Cost Cutting.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Roszkowska

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the audit-related causes of financial scandals and advice on how emerging technologies can provide solutions thereto. Specifically, this study seeks to look at the facilitators of financial statement fraud and explain specific fintech advancements that contribute to financial information reliability for equity investments. Design/methodology/approach The study uses the case studies of Enron and Arthur Andersen to document the evidence of audit-related issues in historical financial scandals. Then, a comprehensive and interdisciplinary literature review at the intersection of business, accounting and engineering, provides a foundation to propose technology advancements that can solve identified problems in accounting and auditing. Findings The findings show that blockchain, internet of things, smart contracts and artificial intelligence solutions have different functionality and can effectively solve various financial reporting and audit-related problems. Jointly, they have a strong potential to enhance the reliability of the information in financial statements and generally change how companies operate. Practical implications The proposed and explained technology advancements should be of interest to all publicly listed companies and investors, as they can help safeguard equity investments, thus build investors’ trust towards the company. Social implications Aside from implications for capital markets participants, the study findings can materially benefit various stakeholder groups, the broader company environment and the economy. Originality/value This is the first paper that seeks solutions to financial fraud and audit-related financial scandals in technology and not in implementing yet another regulation. Given the recent technology advancements, the study findings provide insights into how the role of an external auditor might evolve in the future.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 1063-1073 ◽  
Author(s):  
Spyridon Repousis

Purpose This paper aims to investigate empirically the eight-variables Beneish M-model to identify occurrence of financial statement fraud or tendency to engage in earning manipulation. Design/methodology/approach A data set of 25,468 companies (Société Anonyme and Limited Liability Companies) in Greece was analyzed during two-year period of 2011-2012. Financial statements of banks are excluded. Findings The results showed that 8,486 companies or 33 per cent of the whole sample has a greater than −2.2 score, which is a signal that companies are likely to be manipulators. Also, for manipulators, results using F-distribution showed that days sales in receivable index (DSRI), asset quality index (AQI), depreciation index, selling, general and administrative expenses index (SGAI), total accruals to total assets index and leverage index (LVGI) are significant at 99 per cent confidence level in its effect on Beneish M-score. Also, there is a significant relationship between earning management, as expressed by Beneish M-score and each one of variables, DSRI, AQI, gross margin index, sales growth index, SGAI and LVGI. Most of all, DSRI explains 95.92 per cent of the variation in Beneish M-score in statistical terms. Practical implications Results are important for banking system, because financial statements information influence credit decisions of banks. Debt agreements include terms based upon accounting numbers. Also, using Beneish Model, it is a cheap and easy way for examiners of possible fraudulent activity. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, there is a great lack of research in Greece, using Beneish model. There is only one more study using the Beneish model, examining only a few companies listed in Athens Stock Exchange during 1999-2000. Findings have also important implications not only for banks but also for users of Greek financial statement accounts, especially to investors, auditors, regulators, to taxation and other state authorities.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arief Hidayatullah Khamainy ◽  
Mahrus Ali ◽  
M. Arif Setiawan

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effect of the new fraud diamond model in explaining financial statement fraud. Design/methodology/approach The variables used to examine the factors consist of motivation, opportunity, personal integrity and capability. This research used manufactured companies listed in the Indonesia Stock Exchange of the 2015–2019 period as the population. Findings There has been a positive influence between personal financial need (OSHIP), nature of the industry (RECEIVABLE) and history of sale (SG) toward financial statement fraud, while the negative effect is found only in the effective monitoring (IND). Research limitations/implications The new fraud diamond model theory which is used as a reference in this study is a new and under-developed theory. So the author suggests that further research on this theory be carried out to strengthen the new fraud diamond model theory and ensure whether it can be used as a reference to find out the causes of financial statement fraud. In addition, the object used in this study is limited to manufacturing companies, so the author suggests that further research combine several types of companies. Originality/value The research finding supports the new fraud diamond model theory in elaborating the financial statement fraud phenomenon.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-41
Author(s):  
Muhammad Bagus ◽  
Noviansyah Rizal ◽  
Siwidyah Desi Lastianti

This study aims to determine the Pentagon Determinant Fraud in detecting fraudulent financial statements. Fraudulent financial statements are proxied by the Fraud Score Model. Whereas the pressure factor is proxied by insisting from within, for the opportunity factor proxied by industry conditions, the rationalization factor is proxied by the ratio of total accruals, the competency factor is proxied by the change of directors and arrogance is proxied by the duality of quality positions at the CEO. The population in this study amounted to 100 companies incorporated in the compass index 100 contained in the Indonesia Stock Exchange and for the sample of the study were 35 companies belonging to the compass index 100 contained in the Indonesia Stock Exchange, which was selected using the purposive sampling method for the 2017-2018 period. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Based on the test results, it was concluded that the pentagon fraud component included internal pressure (LEV), industry conditions (INVENTORY), rationalization (TATA) influencing financial statement fraud while competence (DCHANGE) and arrogance (DCD) had no effect on financial fraud statement. This proves that internal pressure (LEV), industry conditions (INVENTORY), and rationalization (TATA) can be used to detect fraud in financial statements.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 508-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noorul Azwin binti Md Nasir ◽  
Muhammad Jahangir Ali ◽  
Rushdi M.R. Razzaque ◽  
Kamran Ahmed

Purpose We examine whether the fraud firms are engaged in real earnings management and accrual earnings management prior to the fraud year in the Malaysian context. Design/methodology/approach Our sample comprises of 65 financial statement fraud and 65 non-fraud firms over a period of eight years from 2001 to 2008. Findings Using the abnormal cash flow from operations (CFO) and abnormal production costs as the proxies for real earnings management, we find that financial statement fraud firms engage in manipulating production costs during preceding two years of the fraud event. However, our results show that financial fraud firms engage in manipulating CFO prior to the fraud event. Additionally, we find that financial statement fraud firms prefer to manipulate earnings using accruals relative to real earnings prior to the fraud year. Originality/value Our results demonstrate that real earnings management is more aggressive in financial statement fraud firms compared to the non-fraud firms in the four years prior to fraud.


2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (4/5) ◽  
pp. 373-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michail Nerantzidis

Purpose – This paper provides evidence regarding the efficacy of the “comply or explain” approach in Greece and has three objectives: to improve our knowledge of the concept of this accountability mechanism, to elevate auditors’ potential role in the control of corporate governance (CG) statements and to contribute to the discussion about the reform of this principle; a prolonged dialogue that has been started by European Commission in the light of the recent financial crisis. Design/methodology/approach – The approach taken is a content analysis of CG statements and Web sites of a non-probability sample of 144 Greek listed companies on the Athens Stock Exchange for the year 2011. Particularly, 52 variables were evaluated from an audit compliance perspective using a coding scheme. From this procedure, the level of compliance with Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) code, as well as the content of the explanations provided for non-compliance, were rated. Findings – The results show that although the degree of compliance is low (the average governance rating is 35.27 per cent), the evaluation of explanations of non-compliance is even lower (from the 64.73 per cent of the non-compliance, the 40.95 per cent provides no explanation at all). Research limitations/implications – The research limitations are associated with the content analysis methodology, as well as the reliability of CG statements. Practical implications – This study indicates that companies on the one hand tend to avoid the compliance with these recommendation practices, raising questions regarding the effectiveness of the SEV code; while on the other, they are not in line with the spirit of the CG code, as they do not provide adequate explanations. These results assist practitioners and/or policy-makers in perceiving the efficacy of the “comply or explain” approach. Originality/value – While there is a great body of research that has looked into the compliance with best practices, this study is different because it is the first one that rates not only the degree of the compliance with the code’s practices but also the content of the explanations provided for non-compliance. This is particularly interesting because it adds to the body of research by providing a new approach in measuring the quality of the “comply or explain” principle in-depth.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva K. Jermakowicz ◽  
Chun-Da Chen ◽  
Han Donker

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) on financial statements of the largest Canadian firms (S&P/TSX 60) listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Design/methodology/approach This study investigates the financial statement effects of 46 companies from the S&P/TSX 60 index which report under IFRS in 2011 and switched to IFRS from CGAAP. This study used panel data analysis, which can be considered as more powerful when conducting cross-sectional and in time analysis among companies. Because of weakness of Cramer statistic on R-square, the authors used interaction terms as suggested by Hope (2007). Findings Consistent with the authors’ perceptions, this study finds that significant effects of adopting IFRS are associated with industry practices. The empirical results show that the adoption of IFRS in Canada created more relevant financial reporting for book value of equity and net income in the post-adoption periods. Originality/value This study should be of interest to the US regulators considering IFRS adoption by US publicly traded companies as well as to regulators, standard setters and listed companies in all countries worldwide that are in transition to IFRS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Desi Elviani ◽  
Syahril Ali ◽  
Rahmat Kurniawan

This study aims to examine how the influence of fraudulent financial reporting on firm value is viewed from the perspective of a pentagon fraud with a sample of 71 companies from the infrastructure, utilities and transportation sectors in the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2014-2018. The sample selection used was purposive sampling method. Company value is measured by price book value, financial statement fraud is measured by fraud-score models. There are two variables that have a positive and significant influence, namely the opportunity and arrogance variables, the two variables present two of the five elements of pentagon fraud, where as the three variables, pressure, rasionalization, competence, do not affect the fraudulent financial reporting. The results of this study have proven that fraudulent financial reporting has a negative effect on firm value.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shabrina Prasmaulida

Financial statements generally aim to provide information about the company’s financial position, performance, and cash flows to the interested parties. The motivation to gain trust from the users, especially investors, shareholders and creditors, leads someone to commit fraud in the financial reporting. This study aims to detect and predict financial statement fraud based on the perspective of fraud triangle adopted by SAS No. 99. The dependent variable in this study is financial statement fraud which is proxied by earnings management, while the independent variables in this study are financial stability pressure, personal financial need, ineffective monitoring, effective monitoring, external pressure, and financial targets.Population of this research is manufacturing companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange period 2012 - 2014. Samples are selected using purposive sampling method and obtained 150 companies out of a total population of 162 companies. The results show that financial stability pressure and external pressurehave significant positive effect on financial statement fraud. Meanwhile, personal financial need, ineffective monitoring, effective monitoring, and financial targets do not have significant effect on financial statement fraud.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document