FORENSIC ACCOUNTING IN QUOTED NIGERIAN COMPANIES: ISSUES AND PROSPECTS
ABSTRACT
The central point of this research work was how forensic accounting could be used in ensuring credibility of audited financial statements, Detection of fraud in reporting audited financial statements as well as detection of computer related fraud. The researcher desires to reflect the positive impact which forensic accounting can have, when incorporated into the mainstream of Nigerian quoted companies.
Questionnaires were administered to generate the necessary primary data, and were analyzed descriptively, and the various hypotheses were tested using inferential statistical analysis. Review of relevant literature was carried out so as to get a deeper insight and proper understanding of the subject matter. The result of the hypotheses testing proved that forensic accounting has a positive relationship with the credibility of audited financial statements, as well as detection of fraud in reporting audited financial statements, but a negative and insignificant relationship with computer computer/electronic related fraud. It is therefore suggested that forensic accounting/auditing should be embraced and integrated into the mainstream of Nigerian organizations as a result of its low awareness and standardization in Nigeria. It is recommended that forensic accounting be introduced into the curricular of tertiary institution in Nigeria in order to tap from the opportunities that are abound in choosing forensic accounting as a career.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title
Table of Contents
Abstract
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background
1.2 Research Problems
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
1.4 Research Hypotheses
1.5 Significance and Relevance of the Study
1.6 Scope of the Study
1.7 Limitations of the Study
1.8 Definition of Terms
1.9 References
CHAPTER TWO: Literature Review
2.1 History and Development of Forensic Accounting
2.2 Meaning and Scope of Forensic Accounting
2.3 The Forensic Accountant
2.4 Forensic Accounting Services
2.5 Approaches to a Forensic Accounting Assignment
2.6 The Need for Forensic Accounting Services in the Nigerian Quoted Companies
2.7 Core Knowledge of a Forensic Accountant
2.8 Forensic Accountant in the Audits
2.9 Overview of Fraud
2.10 Financial Statement Fraud
2.11 Financial Statement Fraud Prevention and Detection Strategy
2.12 Financial Statement Shenanigans
2.13 Fraud Detection Procedures Used In A Forensic Accounting Assignment
2.14 Computer Related Fraud/Crimes
2.15 Information Technology (IT) Forensic
2.16 Cadbury: Nigeria’s Enron
2.17 Corporate Governance and the Forensic Accountant
2.18 Standardizing Forensic Accounting in Quoted
Nigerian Companies
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research Design
3.3 The Population and Sample
3.4 Restatement of Research Questions and Hypotheses
3.5 Data Collection Method
3.6 Sources of Data
3.7 Data Presentation and Analysis
3.8 Validity and Reliability of the Research Instruments
References
CHAPTER FOUR DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Data Presentation and Analysis
References
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Summary of Findings
5.3 Policy Recommendations
5.4 Conclusion
Appendix
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 BACKGROUND
A lot of attention from the public, press, investors, the financial community and regulators has been placed on financial statement fraud due to the high profile reported fraud at large companies, such as Enron Corporation, Rita Aid, WorldCom, Adelphia (Rezaee 2003), and more recently Cadbury Nigeria. The top executives of these and other corporations were accused of “cooking the books” and in many cases were indicted and subsequently convicted. Loss of market capitalization resulting from the reported financial statements fraud committed by Enron, WorldCom, Tyco, Quest and Global crossing is estimated about $460 billion (Cotton, 2002). Cadbury Nigeria will likely record a loss of $15 million on the year 2006 (Shen-Hoorver, 2006).
According to Rezaee (2003), “the reliability, transparency and uniformity of the financial reporting process allows investors to make intelligent decisions published audited financial statements that reflect a true and honest financial performance, instead of a rosy picture, and inflated and fraudulent earnings are useful to market participants, including investors and creditors.
Thus, it is expected that most publicly quoted companies in Nigeria have a responsible corporate governance, a reliable financial reporting process, effective audit function, conduct their businesses in an ethical and legal manner and through continuous improvement enhance their earning quantity and quality. Nevertheless, the pervasiveness of reporting financial statement frauds caused by ‘cooking the books’ and related alleged audit failure have eroded the public confidence in corporate Nigeria.
Usually, investors and indeed, the general public expect an audit to detect all forms of fraudulent activities. This notion is inaccurate, as Izedonmi, (2000) puts it “it is the primary responsibility of the management to ensure that fraud and errors are prevented or detected in the enterprise”. The recent corporate scandals have proved beyond reasonable doubt that fraud and other irregularities can still go undetected even after an audit of financial statements have been carried out.
Another issue of serious concern is the high rate of E-crime in Nigeria. As Commander Barbara Etter stated in a presentation in 2001 “E-crime presents as one of the major challenges of the future to Australian Law Enforcement. As Information and Communication Technology (ICT) becomes even more pervasive, aspect of electronic crime will feature in all forms of criminal behaviour, even those matters currently regarded as traditional offences. This is similar to the Nigerian scenario.
The recent financial scandals have raised the awareness that accountants should be alert to potential fraud and other economic disputes and can provide significant assistance in preventing, investigating and resolving such matters. Forensic accountants provide these services with knowledge of court requirements and proceedings so that effective legal action is possible even though most actions are concluded without the involvement of the court.
Forensic accounting as defined in the forensic accounting directory of the Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is “the practice of utilizing accounting, auditing and investigative skills to assist legal matters. It encompasses two main areas: litigation support and investigation. Litigation support represents the financial presentation of economic issues related to existing or pending litigations. Investigation is the act of determining whether criminal matters such as employee theft, fraud (including falsification of financial statements), identity theft and insurance fraud have occurred”.
In the light of the above, and beyond the traditional audit, the researcher intends to uncover how forensic accounting can help minimize fraudulent financial reporting and electronic crimes in Nigerian quoted companies.
1.1 RESEARCH PROBLEMS
The recent corporate scandals involving Cadbury Nigeria and many more have raised doubt as to the credibility of audited financial statement being published by quoted Nigerian companies. This undermines the initial trend of placing total reliance on the opinions of independent parties (auditors) who examine the account prepared by management. Also, the proliferation of e-crime and other computer related applications have led to an increase in e-fraud, unauthorized and unethical information technology.
The specific questions, which this study seeks to answer, are:
1. Are audited financial statements in quoted Nigerian companies losing their credibility?
2. How can forensic accounting prevent and minimize fraudulent financial reporting in quoted Nigerian companies?
3. How can forensic accounting detect and minimize computer related fraud or E-crime in quoted Nigerian companies?
4. What is the level of awareness of forensic accounting in Nigeria?
5. Should forensic accounting be practiced in Nigeria giving the peculiarity of the audit environment?
1.2 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The problems of fraudulent financial reporting and electronic fraud in quoted Nigeria companies need to be seriously addressed, to this end, this study aims at x-raying forensic accounting as a suitable solution to the problems of credibility of traditionally audited financial statement. Specifically, the objectives of this research work are:
1. To determine whether audited financial statements in quoted Nigerian companies are losing their creditability.
2. To ascertain whether forensic accounting/audit can prevent and minimize fraudulent financial reporting in quoted Nigerian companies.
3. To determine whether forensic accounting can detect computer related fraud in quoted Nigerian companies.
4. To describe the specific forensic challenges of e-crime in quoted Nigerian companies.
5. To expose the existence and development of forensic accounting in Nigerian quoted companies.
6. To expose the practice of forensic accounting in Nigeria.
RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS
The following hypotheses shall be tested in this study.
1. Forensic accounting is determined by the level of creditability of the traditional audited financial statement.
2. Forensic accounting and the level of fraud detection are positively related.
3. Forensic accounting procedures would help in the detection or minimization of computer-related or electronic-related fraud.
1.3 SIGNIFICANCE AND RELEVANCE OF THE STUDY
This study is significant and relevant in the following ways:
1. Investors: This study will reveal the added advantage which forensic accounting will bring into an audit engagement to enhance its quality and scope in terms of fraud detection in quoted Nigerian companies.
2. The Accounting Profession: This study will help maintain or promote the image and credibility of the profession in terms of trust placed on the services of its members.
3. Quoted Nigerian Companies: This study will assist in the fight against fraudulent activities and electronic crime by introducing new techniques by which companies will better achieve their objectives.
4. The General Public: With the aid of this study, the tide of fraudulent financial reporting and E-crime in Nigeria will be reduced.
1.4 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The focus of this study is on forensic accounting with special emphasis on the impact it can have in restoring the credibility of audited financial statements in quoted Nigerian companies, as well as on the fight against computer-related fraud or e-crime. To this end, quoted Nigerian companies shall form the fulcrum of this project work. Besides, data shall be from professional accountants/auditors, as well as those in public practice, and financial analyst across some major states in Nigeria.
1.5 DEFINITION OF TERMS
The following terms were used in the course of this study.
1. Audit Trails: This refers to the chain of evidence provided through coding, cross-referencing and documentation, connecting account balances and other summary result with the original transaction source documents.
2. Forensic Audit: This is an examination of evidence regarding an assertion to determine its correspondence to establish criteria carried out in a manner suitable to the court.
3. Fraud: According to the Merrian Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (1998) “it is a deceit, trickery, intentional, perversion of truth in order to induce another to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right.
4. Investigation: The utilization of specialized investigative skills in carrying out an inquiry conducted in such a manner that the outcome will have application of the law.
5. Litigation: This refers to the judicial process of carrying out a legal contest.
6. Shenanigans: It is a tricky or questionable practice or legal contest.
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