Volume 4: Issue 1, January–July, 2012
Volume 4: Issue 1, January–June, 2012
Table of Contents:
- Understanding a Ponzi Scheme: Victims’ Perspectives
- How Do Emotions Affect Ethical Evaluations for Accountants?
- An Examination of the Influence of Audit Firm Size and Industry: Specialization on Juror Evaluation of Liability
- Demonstrating the Need to Include Multiple Firms in Forensic Accounting Research
- Teaching Interviewing Techniques to Forensic Accountants Is Critical
- The Role of Accounting Quality in Securities Class Action Lawsuits
- The Role of Related Party Transactions in Fraudulent Financial Reporting
- The Fraud Model in International Contexts: A Call to Include Societal-level Influences in the Model
- Is Forensic Accounting in the United States Becoming a Profession?
- Vision Services, Inc.: Accounts Receivable Collateral Reporting Fraud
- Integrating Generalized Audit Software and Teaching Fraud Detection in Information Systems Auditing Courses
- The Reluctant Witness
William W. Acuff
Dana R. Hermanson
Abstract: Ponzi schemes have received significant media coverage lately, due in large part to the Bernard Madoff scandal; however, there is limited academic research exploring investors’ decision-making processes when investing in what ultimately is discovered to be a Ponzi scheme. We conducted semi-structured interviews of 17 investors in a Ponzi scheme to better understand the investors’ decision-making processes, their perceptions of the fraud, and the mechanics of the fraud. Overall, the interviews reveal a fraud with the following characteristics: (a) older, educated victims; (b) a plausible story that traveled by word of mouth among people who knew each other well; (c) demonstrated returns over several months (people often watched others get checks for a few months before investing themselves); (d) low pressure (no urgency to invest); and (e) a ‘good guy’ promoter who did charitable works. We discuss avenues for future research.
Lynn H. Clements
Abstract: There is a significant amount of research and models on ethical decision-making processes; however, there is limited research on how emotions affect ethical evaluations and decisions in an accounting context. Prior research suggests that emotions may shape ethical evaluations and choices made by individuals. This study contributes to the accounting literature by exploring the emotions an accountant may feel when evaluating earning manipulations. This study finds that accountants feel regret when evaluating earnings manipulations.
An Examination of the Influence of Audit Firm Size and Industry: Specialization on Juror Evaluation of Liability | Full Article (PDF)
Blaise M. Sonnier
Blaise M. Sonnier
Sharon S. Lassar
Walfried M. Lassar
Abstract: Using an experiment, this study examines the impact of industry specialization and firm size on juror evaluations of blame, findings of negligence, and damage awards in auditor malpractice cases. The results indicate that jurors attribute less blame to industry specialist auditors and are less likely to find them negligent than non-industry specialists auditors. The study establishes that industry specialization increases the perceived competence of the auditor reducing the likelihood that jurors will hold it liable for an audit failure. While firm size was not found to effect evaluations of blame or negligence verdicts, it did have a significant impact on damage awards. Significantly greater damages were awarded against larger firms than against small firms in the experiment. Based on the results of the study, firms can reduce their litigation exposure by becoming industry specialist auditors. Additionally, small firms can benefit from the propensity of jurors to award less in damages.
Keywords: Industry specialist, audit firm size, auditor litigation, accounting jury research.
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Demonstrating the Need to Include Multiple Firms in Forensic Accounting Research | Full Article (PDF)
Richard A. Bernardi
Richard A. Bernardi
Samantha A. Messier
Abstract: This study examines the probability of fraud estimates of auditors from five firms to test the need to include multiple firms in empirical forensic accounting research. We used an older data set as sample sizes of about 500 auditors participating in a four-hour exercise are rare in today’s research environment. This research tested for differences among firms, staff levels, and gender to determine whether differences could occur among auditing firms. While our analysis indicated no difference among firms for managers, there were significant differences among firms on an overall basis and for seniors. Finally, we also found a significant difference between male and female auditors’ probability of fraud estimates. Although there were no difference between male-and-female seniors’ levels of moral development (ethical sensitivity), there were significant differences between male-and-female managers’ levels of moral development. Consequently, our premise of including multiple firms in empirical forensic accounting research was supported.
Teaching Interviewing Techniques to Forensic Accountants Is Critical | Full Article (PDF)
Scott F. Porter
D. Larry Crumbley
Abstract: The forensic accounting profession may not be equipping its members with the necessary tools to conduct suspect interviews given their significant ethical, legal, and psychological challenges. The accounting profession should be at the forefront of developing an interviewing model by closely examining the leading interview models utilized by other professions, assessing their relative merits and deficiencies. The two leading police interview models are the REID and PEACE models. Psychologists utilize Motivational interviewing techniques to assist in dealing with patients that are ambivalent to change. A forensic accountant must be acutely aware of the roles that evidence, experience, and the interviewer's demeanor play in the interview's outcome. Academic studies demonstrate that using a humanitarian approach offers a greater chance to obtain a confession. There are legal and ethical considerations to consider when a forensic accountant selects his or her questioning techniques. An interviewer must be careful when offering promises to a suspect. A skilled interviewer arrives at the truth, whether the interview results in a confession or not.
Keywords: Interviewing, REID model, PEACE model, motivational interviewing, interrogation.
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The Role of Accounting Quality in Securities Class Action Lawsuits | Full Article (PDF)
Stephanie Dehning Grimm
Stephanie Dehning Grimm
Abstract: Prior research has established that stock price declines are a significant driver for filing securities class action lawsuits. There is a continued debate as to the relative importance of case merit in the decision to file a case and the dispute outcome. The author used accounting quality variables as proxies for managerial wrongdoing and test whether accounting quality is a determinant of lawsuit filing decisions and if it can distinguish frivolous cases from those with merit. The results show that accounting quality, measured by accrual reliability, discretionary accruals, one-time charges, and reporting opacity in relation to R&D and intangible assets, significantly impact the decision to file a lawsuit and the magnitude of settlement. These ex ante measures of accounting quality serve as leading indicators of case outcomes even after controlling for return performance and hard evidence events such as restatements and SEC investigations. Findings suggest that accounting data is used by the legal system as a determinant of lawsuit filings and outcomes.
Keywords: Securities litigation, earnings management, corporate governance, accounting quality.
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The Role of Related Party Transactions in Fraudulent Financial Reporting | Full Article (PDF)
Elaine Henry
Elaine Henry
Elizabeth Gordon
Brad Reed
Timothy Louwers
Abstract: Motivated by auditing regulators’ recent interest in related party transactions (RPTs), this study examines SEC enforcement actions that involved RPTs. Specifically, we compare fraud cases involving RPTs with comparable fraud cases that did not involve such transactions. We find that frauds involving RPTs had a lower impact on financial statements, but were more likely to involve misappropriation and to involve a top executive (CEO and/or CFO) in some aspect of the fraud. We also find weaker evidence that frauds involving RPTs persist for longer time spans. In addition, we provide a framework to document the types of related party transactions actually occurring in these fraud cases. Overall, the most frequent types of transactions in the enforcement actions were loans to related parties and payments to company officers for goods or services that were either unapproved or non-existent. Generally, related party transactions are not necessary as mechanisms for fraud, and their presence need not indicate fraudulent financial reporting. An implication is the importance of evaluating related party transactions within the broader corporate context.
The Fraud Model in International Contexts: A Call to Include Societal-level Influences in the Model | Full Article (PDF)
Joshua K. Cieslewicz
Joshua K. Cieslewicz
Abstract: This study evaluates fraud in China from the perspective of Chinese Nationals using an explorative, qualitative approach. This study finds that in order to understand fraud in China, societal-level influences including philosophical and religious tradition, culture, social norms, and societal conditions such as rule of law, political climate, and socioeconomic factors must be taken into consideration. There are significant societal-level factors that influence fraud in China that have no direct equivalent in the United States, where the Fraud Triangle Model was originally developed. As societal-level factors vary across nations, an expanded version of the Fraud Triangle Model has been provided to enhance usability of the Fraud Triangle Model internationally. Fraud is a global problem, and the Fraud Triangle Model should adequately explain fraud in different societies and be well-suited for international use. Giving credence to societal-level fraud factors can increase the effectiveness of fraud risk evaluations performed by external auditors, internal auditors, audit committees, managerial accountants, and management around the world.
Is Forensic Accounting in the United States Becoming a Profession? | Full Article (PDF)
Wm. Dennis Huber
Wm. Dennis Huber
Abstract: Public accounting in the United States is a profession not only because it is defined as a profession by statute, but because it also fulfills a significant number of sociological criteria to be accepted as a profession. The recent increase in the demand for forensic accountants has resulted in a significant growth in the number of certifications in forensic accounting and also the number of corporations issuing certifications in forensic accounting. Forensic accounting is often referred to as a niche within the public accounting profession. But forensic accounting exhibits many of the same characteristics of a profession as public accounting. This article explores the possibility of forensic accounting as a profession in its own right.
Vision Services, Inc.: Accounts Receivable Collateral Reporting Fraud | Full Article (PDF)
Thomas R. Weirich
Thomas R. Weirich
Rodney L. Crawford
Abstract: This case is based on an actual fraud related to a litigation support engagement that focused on an accounts receivable collateral reporting fraud (improper revenue recognition and asset overstatement) on the part of the management of a services company against its bank. The litigation support work was for the bank’s legal counsel. In addition to background and historical financial results, the case study presents the motivations for the fraud, and the various techniques used to falsify the accounting records and conceal the fraudulent nature of the transactions from the bank and the company’s independent auditors. Specifically, the case requires not only the investigation of accounting issues as to the proper timing of revenue recognition, but also auditing questions and fraud investigation techniques.
Keywords: Revenue recognition, collateral reporting fraud, accounts receivable fraud, litigation support engagement.
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Integrating Generalized Audit Software and Teaching Fraud Detection in Information Systems Auditing Courses | Full Article (PDF)
Constance M. Lehmann
Constance M. Lehmann
Abstract: The purposes of this paper are to: 1) describe the integration of generalized audit software (GAS) [specifically, IDEA] in an information systems auditing course, 2) to illustrate the data mining capabilities of IDEA in two fraud detection cases, and 3) make recommendations regarding the effective integration of the software in other auditing or fraud/forensic classes. The first fraud case presented here illustrates the use of data mining techniques to detect unauthorized users in the system (Unauthorized Users), and the second illustrates detection of unauthorized payments (Unauthorized Payments).
Keywords: Generalized Audit Software (GAS), IS auditing, fraud detection, cases.
Keywords: Generalized Audit Software (GAS), IS auditing, fraud detection, cases.
The Reluctant Witness | Full Article (PDF)
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Yasmine L. Misuraca
Edward A. Weinstein
Abstract: Accountants, due to their conservative nature and fear of being ineffective (or worse) as a courtroom witness, are often reluctant to involve themselves as expert witnesses in the dispute process, even when they are qualified by training and experience. This article discusses why such instincts are understandable but explains why such instincts should be overcome and the rewards for doing so. What can be done to deal with issues leading up to and including testimony, should the CPA decide to venture forth as an expert witness?
Abstract: Accountants, due to their conservative nature and fear of being ineffective (or worse) as a courtroom witness, are often reluctant to involve themselves as expert witnesses in the dispute process, even when they are qualified by training and experience. This article discusses why such instincts are understandable but explains why such instincts should be overcome and the rewards for doing so. What can be done to deal with issues leading up to and including testimony, should the CPA decide to venture forth as an expert witness?
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