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Kassem, Rasha
(2023).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/jal-05-2022-0057
Abstract
Purpose: The study aims to explore the reasons behind external auditors’ failure to detect and report fraud.
Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-four experienced Big 4 auditors.
Findings: The present study reveals power issues within audit firms and how some dishonest audit partners deal with auditors' concerns at the higher echelons. It also shows how auditors are pressured and intimidated by audit clients when fraud-related issues are raised. Further, it sheds light on ethical, governance, and regulatory issues inhibiting auditors’ ability to detect or report fraud.
Research limitations/implications: This study advances the audit literature by adding practice-based evidence on why external auditors fail to discover fraud.
Practical implications: The results draw policymakers’ attention to the issues that inhibit external auditors’ ability to discover fraud in practice which could help policymakers develop effective interventions. Additionally, it provides several recommendations which could aid policymakers and audit firms in designing effective audit reforms to resolve the fraud detection deficit.
Originality/value: This is the first study exploring external auditors’ views on their failure to detect and report fraud and how the conflict of interests operates in the audit practice.
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About
- Item ORO ID
- 87423
- Item Type
- Journal Item
- ISSN
- 0737-4607
- Keywords
- Research Paper; Fraud; External auditors; Fraud detection; Audit quality
- Academic Unit or School
-
Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) > Business > Department for Accounting and Finance
Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) > Business
Faculty of Business and Law (FBL) - Copyright Holders
- © 2023 Emerald Publishing Limited
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