Using Game Theory and Strategic Reasoning Concepts to Prevent and Detect Fraud

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 173-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Jeffrey Wilks ◽  
Mark F. Zimbelman
Keyword(s):  
Game Theory ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fraudulent Financial Reporting ◽  
Plan Implementation ◽  
Strategic Reasoning ◽  
Audit Planning ◽  
Fraud Risk ◽  
Auditing Standards

This commentary examines academic research that can assist auditors in detecting and preventing fraudulent financial reporting. We review theoretical and empirical research from game theory, social psychology, judgment and decision making, and auditing to identify improvements in audit practice and promising areas for future research. This review focuses on the strategic fraud setting and suggests modifications in auditing standards that should facilitate auditors' use of strategic reasoning in this setting. We emphasize three critical audit tasks—fraud risk assessment, audit planning, and audit plan implementation—and recommend changes to current auditing standards and identify potential research questions for each task.

A Synthesis of Fraud-Related Research

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. 287-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory M. Trompeter ◽  
Tina D. Carpenter ◽  
Naman Desai ◽  
Keith L. Jones ◽  
Richard A. Riley
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Behavior ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fraud Triangle ◽  
Fraudulent Financial Reporting ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Fraud Risk ◽  
Corporate Governance Mechanisms

SUMMARY We synthesize academic literature related to fraudulent financial reporting with dual purposes: (1) to better understand the nature and extent of the existing literature on financial reporting fraud, and (2) to highlight areas where there is need for future research. This project extends the work of Hogan et al. (2008), who completed a similar synthesis project, also sponsored by the Auditing Section of the American Accounting Association, in 2005. We synthesize the literature related to fraud by examining accounting and auditing literature post-Hogan et al. (2008) and by summarizing relevant fraud literature from outside of accounting. We review publications in accounting and related disciplines including criminology, ethics, finance, organizational behavior, psychology, and sociology. We synthesize the research around a model that illustrates the auditor's approach to fraud. The model incorporates auditors' use of the fraud triangle (i.e., management's incentive, attitude, and opportunity to commit fraud), their assessment of the existence and effectiveness of the client's anti-fraud measures (e.g., corporate governance mechanisms and internal controls), and their consideration of possible fraud schemes and concealment techniques when making an overall fraud risk assessment of the client. The model further illustrates how auditors can incorporate this assessment into an overall strategy to detect fraud by implementing appropriate fraud-detection procedures. We summarize the recent literature of each component of the model and suggest avenues for future research.

Audit Committee Oversight of Fraud Risk: The Role of Social Ties, Professional Ties, and Governance Characteristics

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 21-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert M. Wilbanks ◽  
Dana R. Hermanson ◽  
Vineeta D. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Internal Audit ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Professional Experience ◽  
Fraudulent Financial Reporting ◽  
Fraud Risk ◽  
Public Company

SYNOPSIS This study examines audit committee (AC) oversight of fraudulent financial reporting (FFR) risk and management integrity, and how such oversight varies with AC social ties, professional ties, and governance characteristics. Specifically, based on a survey of 134 U.S. public company AC members, we find that AC participants with social ties (i.e., personal ties) to the CEO are negatively associated with AC actions to assess FFR risk and management integrity. Further, the AC appears to cut back on more observable FFR and MI actions when the responding AC member has a social tie to the CEO, consistent with socially connected ACs being reluctant to engage in observable monitoring actions that could jeopardize a social tie to the CEO. However, AC participants with professional ties to other independent directors and those with professional experience as corporate controllers are positively related to such actions. We also find that AC size is positively related to FFR risk assessment, while female AC participants and those serving on boards with greater independence are more likely to report engaging in AC activities to assess management integrity. Finally, when asked more broadly about who they rely on and who is responsible for assessing the risk of FFR, AC members mainly point to the external audit partner, CFO, and head of internal audit. We discuss implications and directions for future research.

Financial Statement Fraud: Insights from the Academic Literature

2008 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris E. Hogan ◽  
Zabihollah Rezaee ◽  
Richard A. Riley ◽  
Uma K. Velury
Keyword(s):  
Academic Research ◽  
Financial Statement ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Fraud Triangle ◽  
Financial Statement Fraud ◽  
Audit Planning ◽  
Fraud Risk ◽  
Public Company ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Risk Areas

SUMMARY: We summarize relevant academic research findings to contribute to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) project on financial statement fraud and to offer insights and conclusions relevant to academics, standard setters, and practitioners. We discuss the characteristics of firms committing financial statement fraud, as identified in the literature, and research related to the fraud triangle. We then discuss research related to the procedures and abilities of auditors to detect fraud, and how fraud risk assessments impact audit planning and testing. In addition, we discuss several “high risk” areas and other issues as identified by the PCAOB. Finally, we summarize prior findings and offer conclusions and suggestions for areas where future research is needed.

scholarly journals The development of forensic accounting and the challenges in the modern environment

Revizor ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (95-96) ◽  
pp. 77-90
Author(s):  
Snežana Knežević ◽  
Stefan Milojević ◽  
Jasmina Paunović
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Analysis ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Legal Action ◽  
Fraudulent Financial Reporting ◽  
Legal Process ◽  
Forensic Accounting

The increasingly complex business environment and the growing tendency for people to take legal action have led to a demand for accountants who understand the legal process and who can conduct investigations, perform financial analysis and other accounting or auditing procedures at a level acceptable to the courts. Accordingly, some factors that influence the occurrence of fraud and the growth of literature related to forensic accounting and fraudulent financial reporting are presented. In addition, significant advances in the literature and the challenges that fraud poses to academic research and corporate practice have been identified, and a set of issues has been presented and identified as important directions for future research regarding the role of forensic accounting in detecting fraudulent financial reporting. This paper is intended to stimulate discussions and future research on identified problems, especially within national frameworks. And finally, some directions have been suggested for future research as well as for the development of the profession. The increasingly complex business environment and the growing tendency for people to take legal action have led to a demand for accountants who understand the legal process and who can conduct investigations, perform financial analysis and other accounting or auditing procedures at a level acceptable to the courts.

Does Recent Academic Research Support Changes to Audit Reporting Standards?

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 255-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Bédard ◽  
Paul Coram ◽  
Reza Espahbodi ◽  
Theodore J. Mock
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Support ◽  
The Public ◽  
Market Participants ◽  
Information Gap ◽  
Public Company ◽  
Reporting Process

SYNOPSIS The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB), and the U.K. Financial Reporting Council (FRC) have proposed or approved standards that significantly change the independent auditor's report. These initiatives require the auditor to make additional disclosures intended to close the information gap; that is, the gap between the information users desire and the information available through the audited financial statements, other corporate disclosures, and the auditor's report. They are also intended to improve the relevancy of the auditor's report. We augment prior academic research by providing standard setters with an updated synthesis of relevant research. More importantly, we provide an assessment of whether the changes are likely to close the information gap, which is important to financial market participants and other stakeholders in the audit reporting process. Also, we identify areas where there seems to be a lack of sufficient research. These results are of interest to all stakeholders in the audit reporting process, as the changes to the auditor's report are fundamental. Additionally, our summaries of research on the auditor's report highlight where there is limited research or inconsistent results, which will help academics identify important opportunities for future research.

The Influence of Potentially Fraudulent Reports on Audit Risk Assessment and Planning

2001 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Paul Newman ◽  
Evelyn Patterson ◽  
Reed Smith
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Dynamic Interaction ◽  
Fraudulent Financial Reporting ◽  
Expected Payoff ◽  
Audit Risk ◽  
Audit Planning ◽  
Inherent Risk ◽  
Risk Detection ◽  
Reported Earnings

We consider how auditors assess the risk of fraudulent financial reporting and plan their audit where a possibly fraudulent auditee anticipates the assessment and planning process. The auditor uses the auditee's (possibly fraudulent) earnings report to revise his beliefs about the likelihood of fraud when formulating an audit plan. We find that as underlying earnings increase, a fraudulent auditee increases reported earnings. In turn, as the auditee's reported earnings increase, the auditor increases audit effort. We also find that the auditee (who knows the auditor will use the report for audit planning) selects reports that increase his own expected payoff, relative to reports he would select if the auditor did not observe the report before finalizing the audit plan. By contrast, the auditor is no better off using the auditee's report for audit planning. Inherent risk, detection risk, and overall audit risk can increase when the auditor uses the auditee's report. Thus, because of the dynamic interaction between the auditor and auditee, procedures that aid in assessing audit risk may not reduce that risk or result in more efficient audits.

scholarly journals Barriers to implementing the International Integrated Reporting Framework

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 461-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Dumay ◽  
Cristiana Bernardi ◽  
James Guthrie ◽  
Matteo La Torre
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
General Concept ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stage Of Development ◽  
Reporting Framework

Purpose This paper is motivated by the call for feedback by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) from all stakeholders with knowledge of the International Integrated Reporting Framework (<IRF>) and specifically of the enablers, incentives and barriers to its implementation. The paper synthesises insights from contemporary accounting research into integrated reporting (IR) as a general concept and <IR> as espoused by the IIRC in the <IRF> (IIRC, 2013). The authors specifically focus on possible barriers and emphasise the specific issues the authors feel could be rectified to advance the <IRF>, along with the areas that may potentially hinder its wider adoption and implementation. Design/methodology/approach The paper draws upon and synthesises academic analysis and insights provided in the IR and <IR> academic literature as well as various directives, policy and framework pronouncements. Findings The flexibility and lack of prescription concerning actual disclosures and metrics in the <IRF> could allow it to be used for compliance, regardless of the other benefits lauded by the IIRC. Thus the authors see forces, both external and internal, driving <IR> adoption, with one prominent example being the European Union Directive on non-financial reporting. Because of the different ways in which IR is understood and enacted, there are numerous theoretical and empirical challenges for academics. The authors paper highlights potential areas for further robust academic research and the need to contribute to <IR> policy and practice. Research limitations/implications The paper provides the IIRC, academics, regulators and reporting organisations with insights into current practice and the <IRF>. The authors highlight the need for further development and evidence to help inform improvements both from a policy and a practice perspective. A key limitation of the authors’ work is that the authors draw upon a synthesis of the existing literature which is still in an early stage of development. Originality/value The paper provides the IIRC with several insights into the current <IRF> and specifically with the enablers, incentives and barriers to its implementation. Also, it provides academic researchers with a number of important observations and an agenda upon which the authors can build their future research.

Corporate Governance Factors and Auditor Going Concern Assessments

2005 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 5-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Parker ◽  
Gary F. Peters ◽  
Howard F. Turetsky
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Going Concern ◽  
Sarbanes Oxley ◽  
Auditing Standards ◽  
Distressed Firms ◽  
The Impact

When making going concern assessments, Statement on Auditing Standards No. 59 (Auditing Standards Board 1988) directs auditors to consider the nature of management's plans and ability to mitigate periods of financial distress successfully. Corporate governance factors reflect attributes of control, oversight, and/or support of management's plans and actions intended to overcome financial distress. Correspondingly, this study investigates the impact of certain corporate governance factors on the likelihood of a going concern modification. Using survival analysis techniques, we examine a sample of 161 financially distressed firms for the time period 1988–1996. We find that auditors are twice as likely to issue a going concern modification when the CEO is replaced. We also find that going concern modifications are inversely associated with blockholder ownership. We also confirm Carcello and Neal's (2000) findings with respect to the association between an independent audit committee and an increased likelihood of modification. In a repeated events setting, we find that insider ownership and board independence are inversely associated with repeated going concern modifications. Our study concludes by proposing implications for the current financial reporting environment (including the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002) and future research avenues.

Auditor Communications with the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors: Policy Recommendations and Opportunities for Future Research

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 165-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Cohen ◽  
Lisa Milici Gaynor ◽  
Ganesh Krishnamoorthy ◽  
Arnold M. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Boards Of Directors ◽  
Audit Committee ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Academic Community ◽  
Communication Process ◽  
Audit Committees ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
Future Research

To contribute to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) project on auditor communications with audit committees and boards of directors, we present in this paper a review of relevant academic literature. We also identify promising future research opportunities for the academic community. We specifically focus on how the communication process may affect overall financial reporting quality, internal controls, control environments, and external auditors' performance, as well as matters that potentially impact financial reporting and should interest the PCAOB (e.g., in the area of management discussion and analysis). We specifically link the findings from academic research to the discussion questions posed by the PCAOB in its 2004 briefing paper. Several potential implications of the findings should also interest standard-setters and regulators addressing issues related to corporate governance and financial reporting quality.

Do Strategic Reasoning and Brainstorming Help Auditors Change Their Standard Audit Procedures in Response to Fraud Risk?

2009 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. 811-837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vicky B. Hoffman ◽  
Mark F. Zimbelman
Keyword(s):  
Academic Research ◽  
Strategic Reasoning ◽  
The Public ◽  
Fraud Risk ◽  
Planning Decisions ◽  
Public Company

ABSTRACT: The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board recently reported that its inspections show that auditors fail to effectively modify their standard audit procedures in response to fraud risk. Prior academic research is consistent with this finding. Our study examines the effects of two interventions on auditors' planning decisions in a high-fraud-risk setting: strategic reasoning and brainstorming in groups. Both interventions are predicted to lead auditors to more effectively modify their planned audit procedures. We use a panel of fraud experts to identify effective modifications to the audit plan of a specific fraud case. The experts' recommendations are then used to evaluate the effectiveness of practicing auditors' audit plans with and without the two interventions. We predict and find that each intervention leads to more effective modifications to the standard audit procedures and that the combination of the interventions is not significantly more effective than either intervention used alone.

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