Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination

ABSTRACT
This study examined the relationship between forensic accounting and fraudulent practices in Nigeria deposit money Banks. The specific objectives of this research were; to know the impact of forensic accounting in mitigating against asset misappropriation, and to investigate the impact of forensic accounting in curbing e-fraud in Nigeria deposit money banks.
The Descriptive research  design was used with primary source of data. One Hundred and Twenty-Five copies of questionnaire were administered to the respondents,  One Hundred and Twenty copies were completely filled and returned, and therefore, analysis was done on the basis of the questionnaire returned. The study made used of Chi-square non-parametric test to test the hypotheses.
The study found that forensic accounting has significant impact in mitigating against asset misappropriation Likewise, is significant in curbing e-fraud in Nigeria deposit money banks. In the light of the study findings, the following recommendations were provided; more forensic accountants should be employed by DMBs in Nigeria to assist curb modern day financial fraud brought about by advancement in technology. The government and regulatory authorities should ensure the provision of standards and guidelines to regulate forensic activities in Nigeria. Deposit Money Banks  should set up strong internal control and put measure in place to control fraud and other financial crimes. They should also create alliance with law enforcement agencies for effective results.
KEYWORDS: Forensic Accounting, Detection, Deposit Money, Banks, Effect, Fraud prevention, Auditing, Investigation.

The paper completely condemns the act of corruption in the society. It deeply condemns corruption in the educational sector as it results in an infrastructural deficit that causes a lot of people not to have access to education. Forensic Accounting is the application of specialized knowledge and specific skills to stumble up the pieces of evidence of corruption and fraud that are tenable before a Law Court. The paper was about synergizing the functions of forensic accounting and the efforts of the Nigerian Government to reduce the menace of corruption in the Educational Sector. The study was empirical; data was gathered from the current happenings in the Nigerian Education Sector and past research articles on the level of corruption in the Nigerian Education Sector. This paper recommended among others that the Corruption and Crime-fighting agencies like the EFCC and ICPC should not just employ forensic accounting experts, but should also encourage the government to enact and promulgate a law making it mandatory for all Educational Institutions to include forensic accountants as part of their audit team.

This paper examined the effects of Forensic Accounting in managing the lingering problem of pension scheme frauds in Nigeria. As already captured in various literature, many pension reforms have been initiated in Nigeria, but none has been able to meet the expectations of the real beneficiaries, the average Nigerian pensioner. There is only one factor responsible for this, ''Pension scheme frauds and corruption". The study adopted a survey research design to elicit responses from respondents. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire was designed to get primary information about the level of pension scheme fraud and the ability of forensic accounting to solve the problem of prevalent fraud in the pension sector. The data collected were analyzed via the Pearson moment correlation coefficient (r). Findings reveal that pension fraud is on the increase in Nigeria and that there is a solution. The study recommended, among others, that forensic accountants be engaged to help strengthen the internal control and payment systems of the various pension fund Administrators (PFA).

This manuscript examines the role of forensic accountants in mitigating commercial bank failures, protecting consumer deposits, and providing litigation support during bankruptcy proceedings. Using a mixed-methods approach that synthesizes literature, regulatory reports, and case study insights from Nigerian and international contexts, the paper argues that forensic accounting contributes to early detection of financial distress, improved recovery of assets, and stronger litigation outcomes. The study outlines practical frameworks for integrating forensic accounting into bank risk management, regulatory supervision, and post-failure resolution processes.

The role of campaign finance in shaping democratic outcomes is increasingly under global scrutiny. While campaign funding is necessary for political mobilization, the lack of transparency in its management creates avenues for illicit financial flows, unauthorized donations, and money laundering. In Nigeria and many developing democracies, campaign finance abuse weakens institutional trust, fosters corruption, and undermines electoral credibility. This paper argues that forensic accounting provides a vital mechanism for ensuring compliance with campaign finance laws. By integrating forensic techniques-such as digital audits, transaction tracing, and data analytics-regulators and anti-graft institutions can expose illicit campaign funding and deter financial crimes. Using Nigeria's electoral system as a case study, this paper examines existing challenges, evaluates comparative practices from other jurisdictions, and proposes policy recommendations to enhance transparency and accountability in campaign finance.

The evolving complexities of Nigeria's electoral processes have generated new challenges in the adjudication of election petitions, with forensic practices becoming increasingly central to electoral jurisprudence. As the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deploys technological innovations such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), disputes over accreditation, data integrity, and result transmission now require expert technical evidence. This paper examines the growing relevance of forensic practices in Nigeria's electoral jurisprudence, exploring statutory frameworks, judicial precedents, and case studies of recent elections. It argues that forensic techniques-including digital data recovery, handwriting analysis, statistical audits, and cyber-forensics-are essential in ensuring credible, evidencebased adjudication. The study highlights the benefits of forensic practices, including transparency, accountability, and enhanced judicial legitimacy, while also interrogating the challenges of admissibility, infrastructure, and institutional resistance. Drawing on doctrinal analysis, case law, and secondary literature, this article concludes that forensic practices are indispensable for strengthening Nigeria's electoral system and proposes recommendations for reforming legal, institutional, and technical frameworks.

The paper investigates the degree of integration between Bitcoin and African stocks returns using the Continuous Morlet Wavelet Transform. Data spans from 10th August 2015 to 2nd February 2019 at a daily frequency. Findings suggest a low level of integration between Bitcoin and African stock indices in the short-term, which may have implications for investors' choice of horizon and asset class due to price independence. Furthermore, the findings revealed high connectedness in the medium-, and long-term, providing insights to regulators and potential international investors on what can be done to extend the diversification benefits from the short-term to the medium-and long-term. Policymakers and regulators are called upon to enact measures that will reduce the level of integration between the asset markets to ensure investor benefit with the diversification returns.

The financial performance of commercial banks is intricately linked to the macroeconomic environment in which they operate. In Zimbabwe, a country characterized by economic volatility, hyperinflation, and fluctuating exchange rates, understanding the role of macroeconomic factors in shaping bank performance is critical. Therefore, this study investigates the extent to which key macroeconomic variables influence the profitability, stability, and overall financial health of commercial banks. Using a General Moments Methods (GMM) approach the study reveal that macroeconomic instability, particularly high inflation and volatile exchange rates, significantly impacts bank profitability and asset quality. Conversely, periods of economic growth and stable monetary policies are associated with improved financial performance. The study also highlights the resilience of Zimbabwean banks in navigating economic challenges, underscoring the importance of adaptive strategies and robust risk management practices. This research contributes to the broader discourse on the interplay between macroeconomic conditions and banking performance, offering valuable insights for policymakers, bank managers, and financial analysts. Therefore, the study recommends that government of Zimbabwe should address economic problems facing the entire economy. The poor macroeconomic instability facing the country also weighs down heavily to the banking sector. Due because of the poor economic environment and perceived risk tied to the country, local commercial banks are facing significant challenges to attract fresh capital from the international market.

Fraud in the Nigerian public sector remains a critical governance challenge, eroding public trust and undermining economic stability. This study examines forensic accounting as an effective tool for fraud detection and prevention in Nigeria’s public institutions. Adopting a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 370 respondents across high-risk agencies such as the NNPCL, PenCom, NCAA, and OAGF, and analyzed using Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. Results reveal that forensic expert consultation, forensic accounting services, and forensic litigation support skills significantly enhance fraud prevention efforts, though variations in impact suggest the need for proactive integration rather than reactive deployment. The study recommends establishing dedicated forensic units equipped with digital forensics and data analytics capabilities, mandating expert involvement in high-value procurement, and strengthening judicial processes for admissibility of forensic evidence. Findings contribute to literature on anti-corruption strategies, offering actionable insights for policymakers, regulatory bodies, and public finance managers in combating financial crimes.

Keywords: Forensic Accounting, Fraud Detection, Fraud Prevention, Public Sector, Forensic Expert Consultation, Litigation Support, Nigeria

This paper examines how British American Tobacco (BAT) Nigeria uses forensic accounting to improve audit quality and fraud detection. Evaluating the ways in which forensic accounting methods enhance fraud detection and audit quality is the main goal. Specifically, the study investigates the usefulness of forensic accounting in BAT's audits, identifies important hurdles in its integration, and rates its influence on audit reliability. Data was gathered from 20 employees using a standardized questionnaire, and the scope is restricted to the audit department of BAT Nigeria. The unit of observation comprises of BAT's audit personnel, whereas the unit of analysis focuses on the forensic accounting procedures deployed. A quantitative study design was adopted, with data examined using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results show that fraud detection and audit quality are much improved by forensic accounting. However, obstacles to complete integration were found to include issues including organizational opposition, financial limitations, and a shortage of skilled specialists. The report concludes by advising overcoming financial constraints, hiring qualified forensic accountants, and making training investments. Future studies should look at the long-term implications on corporate governance and the wider influence of forensic accounting across industries.

Background: This study addressed the critical intersection of accounting standards and investor returns within Africa's oil and gas sector. Specifically, it investigated how diverse accounting treatments under International Financial Reporting Standards 6 (IFRS 6) for exploration and evaluation costs, including capitalization, depreciation methods, and disclosure, affect investor returns. Utilizing panel data and regression analysis, this study examined the nuanced impact of these accounting choices on key financial performance indicators, offering insights into the complex relationship between IFRS 6 implementation and investor confidence in the African context. Aim: This study examined the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards 6 (IFRS 6) exploration and evaluation accounting choices on investor returns in African firms. Methodology: This study examined the impact of IFRS 6 accounting choices on investor returns in African oil and gas firms. This study used an ex post facto design and purposive sampling; panel data from 9 listed companies was analyzed using panel regression techniques. The regression techniques investigated the relationship between IFRS 6 accounting choices (capitalization, depreciation, disclosure, and impairment) and investor return measures such as share price, Tobin's Q, return on equity, and return on sales. The sample consists of 9 oil and gas companies listed on stock exchanges within Africa, with representation from key oil-producing nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, and others. Findings: The findings revealed that IFRS 6 positively and significantly affects debt service capacity, highlighting that compliance with the standard enhances financial credibility and enables firms to meet their debt obligations more effectively, a critical factor for improving investor confidence. However, the study also identified a negative and significant relationship between IFRS 6 and profitability metrics such as return on equity (ROE) and return on sales (ROS). While the recognition of exploration and evaluation expenses enhances perceived asset values, it simultaneously reduces profitability metrics, suggesting the high upfront costs associated with these activities weigh heavily on short-term returns. Furthermore, the findings showed positive but statistically insignificant relationships between IFRS 6 and share price, dividend payout, and debt capital raised, as well as a negative but insignificant effect on equity capital raised. These results emphasize the complex interplay between IFRS 6 adoption and financial performance, indicating that while transparency improves, profitability and market outcomes do not uniformly benefit from the standard's implementation. Contributions: This study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of IFRS 6 exploration and evaluation accounting choices on investor returns in the African context. The findings challenge some prevailing assumptions, particularly regarding the positive relationship between capitalized exploration costs and investor returns. By demonstrating the nuanced and sometimes contradictory effects of different IFRS 6 accounting choices on various financial metrics, this research provides valuable insights for academics, practitioners, and policymakers. Recommendations: It is recommended that African firms in the extractive sector enhance their communication strategies to effectively convey the long-term benefits of exploration activities to investors. Transparent and comprehensive disclosure of exploration and evaluation activities, aligned with IFRS 6 requirements, is crucial for building investor confidence and mitigating concerns related to declining short-term profitability. Furthermore, regulators should consider promoting best practices in IFRS 6 implementation and encourage firms to adopt robust internal controls for exploration and evaluation activities. Implications for Africa: This study has several significant implications. Theoretically, it contributes to the literature on the impact of accounting standards on investor behavior and market outcomes. By examining the specific case of IFRS 6 in the African context, the study challenges some prevailing assumptions about the relationship between accounting choices and investor returns. Practically, the findings highlight the importance of effective communication strategies for African oil and gas companies to convey the long-term value of exploration and evaluation activities to investors. These insights can inform corporate decision-making regarding exploration and evaluation strategies and accounting policies. For policymakers, the study emphasized the need for clear and consistent implementation of IFRS 6 within the African context, along with supportive regulatory frameworks to encourage best practices in financial reporting. Researchers: Further researchers should explore the impact of IFRS 6 on investor returns in other African subregions or countries, considering factors like economic development, regulatory environment, and investor sophistication. Investigating the long-term impact of IFRS 6 on investor behavior and market outcomes would also be valuable. Additionally, exploring the role of corporate governance, disclosure quality, and analyst coverage in mediating the relationship between IFRS 6 and investor returns could provide deeper insights.

Background: This study addressed the critical intersection of accounting standards and investor returns within Africa's oil and gas sector. Specifically, it investigated how diverse accounting treatments under International Financial Reporting Standards 6 (IFRS 6) for exploration and evaluation costs, including capitalization, depreciation methods, and disclosure, affect investor returns. Utilizing panel data and regression analysis, this study examined the nuanced impact of these accounting choices on key financial performance indicators, offering insights into the complex relationship between IFRS 6 implementation and investor confidence in the African context. Aim: This study examined the impact of International Financial Reporting Standards 6 (IFRS 6) exploration and evaluation accounting choices on investor returns in African firms. Methodology: This study examined the impact of IFRS 6 accounting choices on investor returns in African oil and gas firms. This study used an ex post facto design and purposive sampling; panel data from 9 listed companies was analyzed using panel regression techniques. The regression techniques investigated the relationship between IFRS 6 accounting choices (capitalization, depreciation, disclosure, and impairment) and investor return measures such as share price, Tobin's Q, return on equity, and return on sales. The sample consists of 9 oil and gas companies listed on stock exchanges within Africa, with representation from key oil-producing nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, and others. Findings: The findings revealed that IFRS 6 positively and significantly affects debt service capacity, highlighting that compliance with the standard enhances financial credibility and enables firms to meet their debt obligations more effectively, a critical factor for improving investor confidence. However, the study also identified a negative and significant relationship between IFRS 6 and profitability metrics such as return on equity (ROE) and return on sales (ROS). While the recognition of exploration and evaluation expenses enhances perceived asset values, it simultaneously reduces profitability metrics, suggesting the high upfront costs associated with these activities weigh heavily on short-term returns. Furthermore, the findings showed positive but statistically insignificant relationships between IFRS 6 and share price, dividend payout, and debt capital raised, as well as a negative but insignificant effect on equity capital raised. These results emphasize the complex interplay between IFRS 6 adoption and financial performance, indicating that while transparency improves, profitability and market outcomes do not uniformly benefit from the standard's implementation. Contributions: This study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of IFRS 6 exploration and evaluation accounting choices on investor returns in the African context. The findings challenge some prevailing assumptions, particularly regarding the positive relationship between capitalized exploration costs and investor returns. By demonstrating the nuanced and sometimes contradictory effects of different IFRS 6 accounting choices on various financial metrics, this research provides valuable insights for academics, practitioners, and policymakers. Recommendations: It is recommended that African firms in the extractive sector enhance their communication strategies to effectively convey the long-term benefits of exploration activities to investors. Transparent and comprehensive disclosure of exploration and evaluation activities, aligned with IFRS 6 requirements, is crucial for building investor confidence and mitigating concerns related to declining short-term profitability. Furthermore, regulators should consider promoting best practices in IFRS 6 implementation and encourage firms to adopt robust internal controls for exploration and evaluation activities. Implications for Africa: This study has several significant implications. Theoretically, it contributes to the literature on the impact of accounting standards on investor behavior and market outcomes. By examining the specific case of IFRS 6 in the African context, the study challenges some prevailing assumptions about the relationship between accounting choices and investor returns. Practically, the findings highlight the importance of effective communication strategies for African oil and gas companies to convey the long-term value of exploration and evaluation activities to investors. These insights can inform corporate decision-making regarding exploration and evaluation strategies and accounting policies. For policymakers, the study emphasized the need for clear and consistent implementation of IFRS 6 within the African context, along with supportive regulatory frameworks to encourage best practices in financial reporting. Researchers: Further researchers should explore the impact of IFRS 6 on investor returns in other African subregions or countries, considering factors like economic development, regulatory environment, and investor sophistication. Investigating the long-term impact of IFRS 6 on investor behavior and market outcomes would also be valuable. Additionally, exploring the role of corporate governance, disclosure quality, and analyst coverage in mediating the relationship between IFRS 6 and investor returns could provide deeper insights.

This study examines the impact of the real sector on Nigeria's economic development, utilising data from 100 respondents representing diverse demographics and professions. A structured questionnaire assessed perceptions on the sector's role, challenges, and policy environment. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools, including chi-square tests and mean score analysis, were employed. Findings reveal widespread agreement on the sector's contribution to GDP, employment, poverty reduction, and its potential to drive sustainable development. However, significant challenges such as inadequate access to finance, policy inefficiencies, skills shortages, and corruption undermine performance. Mean scores and chi-square tests confirm the statistical significance of these concerns. The study recommends financial inclusion reforms, skills development programs, stronger anticorruption mechanisms, and enhanced infrastructure and policy frameworks to unlock the sector's full potential. The results underscore the need for multi-stakeholder collaboration to transform Nigeria's real sector into a robust engine of inclusive economic growth.

Capability, arrogance, ignorance, and greed on Fraudulent Financial Reporting using the Fraud Heptagon model analysis, with Institutional Ownership as a moderating variable. Focused on BUMN in Indonesia from 2018 to 2022, purposive sampling resulted in 141 samples. The regression analysis with Warp PLS version 8.0 software shows that opportunity, capability, and ignorance all have a negative effect on fraudulent financial reporting. This shows they may help reduce the issue. However, pressure, rationalization, arrogance, and greed positively affect Fraudulent Financial Reporting. Specifically, institutional ownership moderates the correlation between Greed and fraudulent financial reporting. These results contribute insight into the dynamics of fraudulent financial reporting activities, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding and robust control mechanisms to prevent fraudulent financial reporting effectively. This research provides implications for investors to be careful in making investments and not tend to look at increasing company stability. However, investors do not need to worry because the tendency for fraud in state-owned companies remains very low.

This study investigated financial crimes in Somali public sector. It intended to explicitly assess public workers’ perception of financial crimes, as well as the primary causes and effects of financial crimes in Somali Public Sector. A descriptive research approach was used in this study, and a questionnaire was used to gather data from 160 participants. This research was guided by the Fraud Triangle Theory and Fraud Dimond Theory which describe pressure, opportunity, rationalization and capability as key factors for conducting financial crimes. Although these elements have a significant influence, the findings showed that opportunity mainly representing improper internal audit and control, poor governance and improper duty segregation is the most contributing element to financial crimes in Somali public sector. The findings also revealed that financial crimes disturb resource allocation, wealth distribution and socioeconomic development, resulting in poverty and loss of public trus...

Contemporary insurance landscape has been intricate and severely poses one of the costly challenges to the life insurance industry, and that is fraud committed on life insurances anywhere in the world. From exaggeration of claims, false deaths, and other forms of identity theft to even beneficiary schemes that are staged, the evolving sophistication of fraudulent behaviors makes the limitations of traditional rule-based systems in detecting such frauds unbearably clear. Predictive analytics has now been viewed as one of the most promising frontiers in fraud detection, where it has the potential to empower detection of high-risk behavior, discover anomalous claims, and predict future fraudulent events at differentiating precision and speed.Predictive analytics refers to the application of advanced statistical techniques, data mining, and machine learning algorithms to anticipate outcomes based on historical and real-time data. In the field of life insurance, these methods find their application in discovering indirect relations and hidden interdependencies among different variables that indicate the presence of fraudulent motives. This paper presents insights from the literature on how predictive analytics is reinventing management of fraudulent events in life insurance through dynamism in risk profiling, behavioral modeling, and real-time decision intelligence.The analytical framework includes key methodologies like supervised learning (as in logistic regression, random forests, gradient boosting), unsupervised learning (such as clustering, principal component analysis), together with deep-learning approaches that would enrich the model for detection of non-linear and latent fraud patterns. This study extends its scope to unstructured data sources, such as voice recordings, handwritten documents, and social network activity, with the aid of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Graph Analytics, which will be used to detect fraud networks and multistage collusion .Moreover, the paper describes the comprehensive end-to-end lifecycle of predictive analytics in fraud management-from data ingestion and cleansing, through insurance-specific feature engineering (e. g., premium irregularities, claim timing anomalies, and historical policy behavior), to model validation and deployment within enterprise-scale systems. Real-life examples from a multitude of global insurers show that predictive models reduce significantly instance of false positives, increase the speed of claims triage, and optimize resource allocation in fraud investigations.Such ethical and governance issues include algorithmic transparency, mitigating bias, regulatory compliance such as GDPR, NAIC model laws, while the paper also looks into how human oversight makes algorithmic decisions fair and accountable. Further, this paper also discusses the organizational and infrastructural transitions required for insurers to effectively adopt predictive analytics operationally, including establishment of data-borne cultures in the organization, cross-functional analytics teams, and cloud-based AI ecosystems.

Insurance fraud is a major issue facing today's global insurance industry, not only destabilizing its finances but also eroding the trust which forms the foundation for any insurance policyholder-institution relationship. This paper, therefore, investigates how insurance fraud relates to two areas it highly affects: consumer trust erosion and premium rate inflation. Fraudulent activities may range from inflated claims to totally fictitious events. They account for costs very much injected into claims processing. Insurers seek

It has been maintained that no matter the level of professional forensic accountants’ expertise, they would not achieve the goals of detecting and preventing fraud without the necessary supportive ethical climate. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of perceived ethical climate and the use of forensic accounting services for the detection and prevention of fraud in the Nigerian public sector. The study used data collected from the responses of 133 senior staff in the finance and accounts department of the six-area council in Abuja. The method of data analysis technique adopted for this study is multiple regression analysis with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found that perceived ethical climate (principle ethical climate and benevolence ethical climate) has a positive and significant effect on the application of forensic accounting services in the selected public sectors of Nigeria. The study concluded that one of the key elements infl...

Nowadays, globalisation and business internalisation have led to an increased number of frauds in organisations worldwide. The most affected are the multinational corporations because of the geographical distance, different fiscal systems and local factors that consist in tremendous opportunities for employees and/or managers to involve in fraud schemes. Starting from recent studies and prior efforts of international organisations or countries to stop fraud by imposing regulations to be respected for the economic environment, the purpose of the paper is finding the key factors for detecting and preventing fraud in the organisations. In our approach we use several proposals for a conceptual framework developed by two companies of “The big four”, KPMG and Deloitte. The results indicate that for the number of fraud to decrease, any organisation needs to develop and implement a strong anti-fraud plan, by covering all logical steps to be made in this matter. For the anti-fraud plan to wo...

This study explores the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the accounting profession in Algeria, focusing on its potential to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making processes. AI is revolutionizing traditional accounting practices by automating tasks such as data entry, financial analysis, and auditing, leading to significant time and cost savings. However, this transition poses challenges, including workforce displacement and the need for upskilling. The study emphasizes the importance of adapting regulatory frameworks and fostering continuous professional development to address these issues in Algeria's context. Through the case studies, the research highlights how Algerian firms are adopting AI to enhance decision-making, reduce costs, and streamline operations. The findings suggest that AI adoption offers significant benefits, but requires careful management and workforce training to fully realize its potential in Algeria.

The need to enhance financial reporting in the public sector has led many countries to adopt international standards such as IPSAS to promote transparency and global comparability. This conceptual paper evaluated how the adoption of IPSAS 3 influences accounting information disclosure in public sector entities. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study conducts a theoretical analysis based on secondary data drawn from scholarly literature, accounting standards, and government documents. Rather than collecting new empirical data, the study synthesizes existing research to develop insights into IPSAS 3's impact. The methodology involved a systematic literature review and thematic analysis, focusing on publications from 2015 to 2024. Key databases such as Scopus, Google Scholar, JSTOR, and ScienceDirect were searched using terms like "IPSAS 3" and "public sector financial reporting." Through critical examination, the paper identified recurring themes and conceptual linkages between IPSAS 3 components: disclosures of accounting policies, changes in estimates, error corrections and improved accounting information disclosure. The analysis revealed that structured implementation of IPSAS 3 enhances the transparency, consistency, and reliability of financial statements. Findings are consistent with prior research conducted in countries such as

Tax revenue plays a significant role in funding government activities, especially in emerging economies where public investment is essential for infrastructure development and economic progress. This paper assessed the effectiveness of digital tax platforms, specifically electronic tax filing, automated tax payment systems, and blockchain-based tax solutions on revenue generation and capital projects funding in Nigeria. This study employed survey research design using primary data collected via structured questionnaires. The sample included 4,352 individuals comprising tax officials from FIRS, federal government officials in finance and infrastructure, and IT experts involved in digital tax platforms. A multistage sampling method, combining purposive and random techniques, was used to arrive at 384 respondents as sample size. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and multivariable regression. This found that digital tax platforms which comprised of electronic tax filing, automated tax payment systems, and blockchain-based tax solutions had a positive and significant effects on revenue generation and capital projects funding in Nigeria. This study concluded that digital tax platforms significantly improve both revenue generation and capital project funding in Nigeria. It was therefore recommended that the government should expand and modernize its digital tax infrastructure nationwide to ensure broader adoption among taxpayers and administrators.

Despite government efforts to address corruption, political instability, and revenue challenges, budget implementation remains largely ineffective. To address this concern, this study examined the impact of public debt on budget execution in sub-Saharan African nations, using accountability as a moderating variable. The study employed an ex post facto research design. The study population comprises 48 countries located in the southern region of the Sahara Desert in Africa, with, fifteen (15) countries selected based on economic expediency and data availability as sample size, spanning 2000-2022. Data was sourced through secondary information from the World Bank, the IMF and the AfDB. Purposive sampling was used in this study. The study conducted an ordinary least squares regression technique. Results indicate that only foreign debt significantly influences budget implementation, with a t-value of 2.5988 and p-value <0.05, while domestic debt lacks a significant impact. This underscores the vital role of foreign borrowing in budget execution. From the findings, the moderating effect of accountability on the main variables also revealed a positive and significant relationship on the relationship between foreign debt and budget implementation, and a non-significant interaction on the association between domestic debt and the controlled variable. However, prudent debt management is essential to mitigate repayment risks. Thus, while external borrowing offers benefits, effective debt oversight is imperative to avert default risks. This study recommends the need for policymakers to adopt more effective debt management practices through a thorough assessment of borrowing needs, ensuring the promotion of more transparency through accountability, in ensuring strengthened integrity during budget implementation.

The vulnerability in the global banking system due to the collapse of banks which occurred in recent time has threatened the sustainability of the global financial system which has already been severely tested by high inflation and interest rate. This study examined the effect of risk management on the financial sustainability of listed Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria. Expo-facto research design was used. The population of the study are 12 listed DMBs on Nigeria Exchange Group (NGX) as at 31 st December, 2022. The population form the sample size of the study using census sampling technique. Data was obtained from the firms' audited financial report from 2008-2022. Panel Corrected Standard Error (PCSE) was used to analyse the data collected. The study found that liquidity risk has an insignificant negative effect, and credit risk has an insignificant positive effect while capital adequacy risk has a significant positive effect on the financial sustainability of listed DMBs in Nigeria. Likewise, control variables firm size has a positive and significant impact while leverage has a negative and insignificant impact on the listed banks' financial sustainability respectively. It is recommended, among others for DMBs to maintain a low liquidity base. This will enable them to channel available funds into projects that could improve their performance in the short-run and translate into financial sustainability in the long-run.

This study explored the impact of Artificial Intelligence on financial reporting accuracy in Nigerian oil and gas companies. By automating financial processes, AI improves data accuracy, mitigates risks, and enhances forecasting, supporting better decision-making. The study, using a mixed-methods approach, found a strong positive correlation (r = 0.85) between adoption and improved reporting accuracy, accounting for 72% of the variance in accuracy. The role in reducing errors, improving compliance, and providing more accurate financial forecasts was evident. However, challenges such as high implementation costs, data quality issues, resistance to change, and a lack of expertise were identified. The study recommends increasing investment in technologies, improving data management, developing literacy programs, and enhancing driven regulatory compliance tools to overcome these challenges and further improve financial reporting.

This study investigated the relationship between the principals' internal financial control competencies and effective performance of selected financial management roles in public secondary schools in Kajiado County, Kenya. The study was underpinned by the agency theory. The study adopted the quantitative methodology using correlational research design and qualitative methodology to using a case study. Data from principals' and bursars was collected through questionnaires, while semi-structured interviews were used for school auditors. The study used a multistage sampling technique to select a sample of 115 public secondary school principals, 111 school bursars and three school auditors. The study established a positive and statistically significant relationship between principals' internal financial control competencies and their performance of selected financial management roles (r=0.885 *; p<0.05)) at alpha 0.05 level. The findings and conclusions of this study were that most principals did not have the necessary internal financial control competencies to detect errors in the budgets, approve financial transactions, authorise payments, develop passwords in financial management ICT systems and develop detective controls. Most principals were also ineffective in carrying out periodic financial reconciliations, adhering to budget plans, and approving financial transactions. This study recommends that principals be trained, mentored, and coached on the identified competency and skills gaps.

This study is driven by two objectives; First, the study seeks to predict the effect of forensic accounting in Ghana using the machine learning models. Second, it adopts the feature importance ranking algorithm to examine the impact of forensic accounting in Ghana. Accounting leaders have been urging educators worldwide to teach accounting students about fraud and other forensic accounting services, including how to conduct business valuations, provide litigation support, and provide expert witnessing services, as well as how to prevent, detect, and investigate fraud (Alshurafat et al., 2020). Economic and financial crimes (EFCs) are a global issue affecting all firms and economies; thus, there is a high demand for prevention and uncovering these crimes by institutions and nations. (Dote-Pardo & Severino-González, 2025; Ocansey, 2017). However, forensic accounting, coined in 1946, emerged to combat these crimes and improve investor confidence (Polycarp, 2019). In order to stop financial losses and preserve the integrity of the financial system, forensic accountants are essential (Emmanuel et al., 2018). To track fraudulent activity, find offenders, and comprehend fraud techniques, they analyze data. Their responsibilities now include creating plans to lessen online financial fraud. In digital information sectors, forensic accountants help manage internal issues, increasing operational effectiveness and efficiency and lowering the risk of fraud (Manning, 2010; Tuli & Thaduri, 2023). Moreover, financial fraud has become more difficult due to the emergence of new technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrencies. As forensic accountants use their specialized skills to investigate and settle fraud cases, they are becoming more and more involved in instances involving these technologies. In conclusion, forensic accounting plays a complex and ever-changing role in the fight against digital financial fraud. In the digital age, forensic accountants are leading the charge in identifying, discouraging, and looking into financial crimes (Patel, 2019; Saluja et al., 2024).

It has been maintained that no matter the level of professional forensic accountants' expertise, they would not achieve the goals of detecting and preventing fraud without the necessary supportive ethical climate. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of perceived ethical climate and the use of forensic accounting services for the detection and prevention of fraud in the Nigerian public sector. The study used data collected from the responses of 133 senior staff in the finance and accounts department of the six-area council in Abuja. The method of data analysis technique adopted for this study is multiple regression analysis with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study found that perceived ethical climate (principle ethical climate and benevolence ethical climate) has a positive and significant effect on the application of forensic accounting services in the selected public sectors of Nigeria. The study concluded that one of the key elements influencing the use of forensic accounting services in the public sector is the perceived ethical climate. This study recommends that professional accountants should eschew the temptation to mislead and manipulate financial information, even while inaccuracies or differences of opinion regarding the applicability of forensic accounting services laws do exist.

Professional actuarial courses are not designed to fit into the framework of university study, and yet it is through degrees in actuarial science that a large number of students currently enter the profession. Constrained to deliver the maximum number of professional actuarial courses, such degrees tend to poor pedagogy and a shallow coverage of several fields. This article recommends that professional actuarial bodies discontinue undergraduate level teaching in favour of more advanced specialist courses, and that undergraduate actuarial science degrees be restructured. Discussion is placed in the context of the areas of expertise expected of actuaries, and a final section considers possible future directions for actuarial education in New Zealand.

Financial crimes, including fraud, misuse, and money laundering, present considerable risks to Bangladesh's economic stability and public confidence in financial institutions. This paper examines the application of forensic accounting in identifying and mitigating such crimes, evaluating its efficacy, identifying obstacles, and exploring possible legislative measures. A quantitative poll involving 400 respondents from industries such as banking, accounting, auditing, and regulatory organizations indicated that 82% perceived financial crimes as prevalent, whereas 89% asserted that forensic accounting could substantially improve fraud detection. The study revealed multiple obstacles to adoption, including insufficient forensic knowledge (68%), technological constraints (56%), and inadequate regulatory enforcement (63%). Participants endorsed the incorporation of global best practices, including as AI-driven fraud detection and real-time transaction monitoring, while underscoring the necessity for policy reforms, training initiatives, and technical investments to enhance the accessibility and efficacy of forensic accounting. The results suggest that by overcoming these obstacles, Bangladesh can improve its financial crime prevention framework, promote organizational transparency, and establish a more robust financial system.

This study aims to analyze the factors that can trigger fraudulent financial reporting from the Fraud Triangle Theory perspective. The Fraud Triangle Theory explains that 3 factors can trigger fraud: pressure, opportunity, and rationalization. The variables of financial stability, external pressure, managerial ownership, financial targets, nature of the industry, ineffective monitoring, organizational structure, and rationalization explain these factors. This research was conducted at BUMN companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2017-2021, consisting of 21 companies. The sampling method is saturated sampling, so all populations are used in this study. The data type used is secondary data, with the data analysis technique of multiple linear regression tests using the EViews software tool. The results of this study indicate that Financial Stability has a positive and significant effect on Fraud Financial Reporting, Financial Targets, and the Nature of Industry have a negative and significant effect on Fraud Financial Reporting. At the same time, Managerial Ownership, Ineffective Monitoring, Structure Organization, and Rationalization do not affect financial statement fraud.

This article examines the intricate relationship between executive compensation structures and the propensity for fraudulent financial behavior. It analyzes how poorly designed incentive systems, intended to align executive interests with shareholder value, can inadvertently create opportunities and motivations for financial misconduct. By drawing upon agency theory and behavioral economics, this paper explores various compensation components, such as stock options, performance-based bonuses, and short-term incentives, and their potential to incentivize unethical and illegal actions. The article concludes by discussing the implications for corporate governance and proposes recommendations for designing more robust and ethical executive compensation plans.

This study examines the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools usage and reliance among education undergraduates at Kwara State University, Malete. A descriptive survey design using a mixed-method approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative data, was adopted. The study population included 1,560 undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education, and a sample of 308 participants was selected through simple random sampling, based on the 2006 research advisor table for the quantitative phase, while convenience sampling was used to select 10 interview respondents. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire and interview guide, with the questionnaire's reliability established through a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.81. Descriptive statistics (mean, Bar chart, frequency and percentages and standard deviation) and t-tests were used for analysis. Results indicated that 50.3% of students predominantly use AI tools, while 64.3% demonstrated high reliance, revealing AI's integration into academic routines. Qualitative findings highlighted diverse uses of AI, from health inquiries to facilitating everyday tasks, underscoring its perceived indispensability. However, dependency on AI often replaces independent thinking, raising ethical and educational concerns. Gender analysis showed no significant difference in AI reliance (p = 0.29), suggesting universal adoption across demographics. The study concludes that AI tools enhance accessibility and efficiency but may undermine critical thinking and problem-solving skills if over-relied on. Recommendations include incorporating critical thinking and ethical AI use into curricula for educators, promoting balanced AI use among students, and developing institutional policies to guide ethical and effective AI applications.

This study examines the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools usage and reliance among education undergraduates at Kwara State University, Malete. A descriptive survey design using a mixed-method approach, integrating both qualitative and quantitative data, was adopted. The study population included 1,560 undergraduate students in the Faculty of Education, and a sample of 308 participants was selected through simple random sampling, based on the 2006 research advisor table for the quantitative phase, while convenience sampling was used to select 10 interview respondents. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire and interview guide, with the questionnaire's reliability established through a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.81. Descriptive statistics (mean, Bar chart, frequency and percentages and standard deviation) and t-tests were used for analysis. Results indicated that 50.3% of students predominantly use AI tools, while 64.3% demonstrated high reliance, revealing AI's integration into academic routines. Qualitative findings highlighted diverse uses of AI, from health inquiries to facilitating everyday tasks, underscoring its perceived indispensability. However, dependency on AI often replaces independent thinking, raising ethical and educational concerns. Gender analysis showed no significant difference in AI reliance (p = 0.29), suggesting universal adoption across demographics. The study concludes that AI tools enhance accessibility and efficiency but may undermine critical thinking and problem-solving skills if over-relied on. Recommendations include incorporating critical thinking and ethical AI use into curricula for educators, promoting balanced AI use among students, and developing institutional policies to guide ethical and effective AI applications.

The study investigates the adaptability of the accounting and auditing profession in the face of rapid AI integration, focusing on developing economies with Ghana as a case study. It employs a quantitative approach, using a cross-sectional survey design to collect data from accounting and auditing professionals across various sectors in Ghana. A stratified random sampling technique ensures diverse representation, and the data is analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM) tools. The research identifies six key domains and twelve adaptability attributes, including forces of change, leadership qualities, readiness, approach, and resistance to change, which are critical for the profession's response to disruptive AI technologies. The extracted model, based on these attributes, was validated through a survey, revealing a good model fit with the Standardized Root Mean Square Residual (SRMR) below 0.08 and a Normed Fit Index (NFI) within an acceptable range. The findings suggest that to remain relevant in the AI era, accounting professionals in developing economies must continuously upskill and reskill, alongside cultivating strong business acumen, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, value-added services, and communication abilities. The study emphasizes the importance of policymakers, professional bodies, and leadership within the profession aligning their strategies with these adaptability attributes to enhance resilience and competitiveness in an AI-driven landscape. This research significantly contributes to the understanding of how the accounting and auditing profession in developing economies can navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.

The study examines the psychology and sociology of a fraudster and their implications for the accounting profession today. The investigation was guided by three questions and a hypothesis. The study employed a survey research approach, and the 274 auditing businesses in Nigeria's South-South geopolitical zone comprised the study's population. The Taro Yamane was used to determine the sample of the study, and Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the data. Results from the research reveal that there was a correlation in capability (r = 0.121, p< 0.05), lifestyle (r= 0.561 p< 0.05 and environment(r= 0.108 p< 0.05) and the psycho-social behaviour of the perpetrator of fraud. The implication was that the professional auditors should apply professional skepticism and exercising due care in engaging their work for better delivery and discharge of their duties, as this will lead to the detection of fraud and the reporting of red flags that are of material misstatements. The study recommended that an active, strong, and proper supervision of the internal control system would seriously check the actions of fraudulent activities.

Fraud has become a global phenomenon which attracts the attention of the world’s business organizations towards using the services of forensic accountants in or order to identify the fraud risk factors so as to detect and prevent fraud occurrences. This paper aimed to identify the fraud risk factors by forensic accountants with the effect of FDT. The use of FDT by forensic accountants will eliminate the phobia of fraud incidences in organizational settings and equally shaped the organization’s thinking to develop a sound and effective detection and preventive measures. The paper generally reviewed literatures which take the nature of conceptual approach. The information used for the study was obtained from journal articles, textbooks and the internet. Therefore, the discussion of the fraud risk factors will immensely contributes to the understanding of FDT and fraud red flags especially by the government, forensic accountants, auditors, fraud examiners and other anti-fraud bodies as...

The relentless threat of fraud poses a significant challenge to organizations across all sectors. While reactive fraud investigations remain essential, a paradigm shift is underway, emphasizing building resilience as the most effective long-term strategy. This article delves into the concept of fraud resilience, arguing that prevention is no longer just a best practice but a crucial imperative. It explores the escalating costs of fraud, the sophistication of modern schemes, and the growing stakeholder expectations for ethical conduct. The article then outlines a comprehensive framework for building fraud resilience, detailing key elements such as ethical culture, proactive risk assessments, robust internal controls, continuous monitoring, and effective incident response planning, emphasizing the central role of forensic accounting in architecting and maintaining this resilience.

The structure of accounting education in Greece is facing nowadays many significant challenges since the GFC (Global Financial Crisis) has left behind many critical educational burdens. At the same time, there is an increase in accounting omissions and malpractices of ethics both in the public and in the private sector of Greece complicating the consequences of the crisis. These facts motivated the author to study on restructuring accounting education by devising a new educational framework that could be applied to Greek universities and colleges with the purpose of preparing finest and ethical professionals. Data were collected through interviews and questionnaires administered to professors and professionals in Greece. The study reveals that the accountancy programs as currently structured are outdated and inappropriate in terms of helping graduates acquire the skills and competencies needed in the real world. In addition, the respondents recognize many ethical lessons learnt deri...

Purpose: This study examined the effects of external financing on technology investment quality of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study employed ex-post facto research design. 44 listed manufacturing firms on NGX as at 31st December, 2023 form the study population while 43 firms were selected as the sample using census sampling technique. Data were collected from annual audited financial reports and subjected to multiple regression analysis. Findings: The findings from the analysis revealed that long term debt has positive significant effect on research and development but insignificant negative effect on return on investment and operational efficiency. Also, it was found that short term debt has positive significant effect on return on investment but negative insignificant effect on operational efficiency and research and development. Practical Implication: The study concluded that finance from short term debt is crucial for manufacturing firms to earn optimum returns from their innovative investment. It is therefore recommended that management of manufacturing firms strategically align their external finances with investment in capital technology. Originality/Value: The originality of this study is such that, it may emerge as one of the pioneer studies to investigate the effect of external financing on the quality of technological investment within the Nigerian manufacturing sector.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994), starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, is your ultimate fraud movie. In the f ilm, an unjustly imprisoned accountant takes revenge on a brutal prison warden who has been defrauding the state by renting out prison labour to road contractors. The f ilm has several of the familiar elements in the ‘fraud triangle’ (needs/rationalisations/opportunities). The elements of the triangle come together and the good fraudster ends up exposing the bad fraudster.

Financial statement fraud has become a critical concern in corporate governance, financial reporting, and regulatory oversight, particularly following high-profile corporate collapses such as Enron, WorldCom, and the South Sea Bubble. These frauds have highlighted significant weaknesses in external audit processes and regulatory compliance, leading to legislative reforms such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002) to enhance financial transparency and investor confidence. However, despite increased regulatory scrutiny, financial statement fraud remains prevalent, with studies indicating that less than 19% of occupational frauds are detected by auditors (ACFE, 2010, 2012, 2014).

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of financial statement fraud, including its motives, mechanisms, and economic consequences. It categorizes fraud into key areas, such as earnings management, revenue recognition manipulation, improper asset valuation, and concealed liabilities. Additionally, it examines the role of external and internal auditors in detecting fraud, the limitations of traditional audit procedures, and the evolving techniques used in forensic accounting to combat fraudulent reporting.

The research also explores recent advancements in fraud detection methodologies, including ratio analysis (Price-Earnings Ratio, Income Tax Expense, Cash Flow Techniques), digital forensic tools, and risk assessment frameworks (Weske & Benuto, 2015; Killen, 2016; Scott, 2012; Wang & Fargher, 2015). The findings emphasize the need for a proactive approach to fraud prevention, incorporating robust internal controls, governance reforms, and predictive analytics to strengthen financial reporting integrity.

By synthesizing historical case studies, regulatory frameworks, and contemporary fraud detection strategies, this study contributes to the ongoing discourse on corporate accountability and financial transparency, offering recommendations for policymakers, auditors, and corporate executives in mitigating the risks of financial statement fraud.

Keywords: Financial Statement Fraud, Earnings Management, Revenue Recognition, Fraud Detection, Forensic Accounting, Auditing, Sarbanes-Oxley, Corporate Governance.

У статті виокремлено особливості огляду місця події за фактами застосування нарізної вогнепальної зброї та систематизовані відповідні криміналістичні рекомендації.
The article highlights the features of examining the scene of an incident in the case of the use of a rifled firearm and systematizes the relevant forensic recommendations.

This quantitative study combined the Altman z, Zmijewski x and Beneish m models targeted at the 2009 to 2016 secondary data of the twenty-six listed non-financial firms on the Ghana Stock Exchange to explore warning signals of bankruptcy and fraud reporting. The rationale was to enable Ghana bank managers reduce the risks in the lending decision process in the hype of the 2017/18 Ghana banking crisis that led to collapse of seven banks over this period. Both the z and x models bankruptcy predictions provided statistically significant results when moderated with the m fraud model. The study rejects the null hypothesis that there is no statistically significant relationship between the Altman z and Beneish m scores prediction of bankruptcy and fraud events on the listed non-financial firms on the GSE. Also, the study rejects the null hypothesis that there is no statistically significant relationship between the Zmijewski x and Beneish m scores prediction of bankruptcy and fraud events on the listed non-financial firms on the GSE. In addition, the study rejects the null hypothesis that, there is no statistically significant contradiction between the Altman and Zmijewski models moderated prediction of bankruptcy events on the listed non-financial firms on the GSE. The contradiction in the bankruptcy results had a strictly distress prediction focus for the Altman model and vice versa for the Zmijewski model.

Strike and labor unrest is very much common for the Readymade Garments (RMG) sector of Bangladesh. Most of them are basically for payment related issue like irregular wage payment practice of the garment factories owners and significant lag time of wage payment to the workers. With a view to maintaining stability in RMG sector, Ministry of Labor and Employment published new wage structure specially for the RMG sector in November 2018. Though new payout structure has been approved the effective implementation has become a great challenge for the governmental or regulatory authority as more than 50 percent increment in the lower graded workforce gross payout generates expectation gap of the owners of the RMG factories regarding the passion and value generating activities of the lower graded or minimum payout holder working force. High turnover in lower graded labor force and lack of working dedication generates reluctance of the owners to implement new payout structure of RMG sectors. However early stage patience and passion for working in RMG sector may gift a better career growth for the new workforce. Results have also justified the affiliation of a number of factors that may get influenced for the implementation of new minimum wage payout in the RMG sector.

This article presents a forensic accounting theory. Forensic accounting theory is an explanation of why and how the choice of methods and techniques used to detect creative accounting or fraudulent manipulations in financial reporting, and the outcome of using such methods or techniques, depends on the accounting and non-accounting decisions taken into consideration by the forensic accountant or investigator. The forensic accounting theory developed in this paper is useful to both practitioners and academics, and the resulting contribution to accounting theory and forensic science are useful to the problem-solving process in the global fight against financial crime.

Stress can be defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Stress is a natural human response that prompts us to address challenges and threats in our lives. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. The way we respond to stress, however, makes a big difference to our overall well-being. Stress is the body's natural defense against predators and danger. It causes the body to flood with hormones that prepare its systems to evade or confront danger. People commonly refer to this as the fight-or-flight mechanism. When humans face a challenge or threat, they have a partly physical response. The body activates resources that help people either stay and confront the challenge or get to safety as fast as possible.

For students preparing to be actuaries, the most commonly known opportunities are traditional roles in insurance and consulting. Professional development at the university level must reflect the demands placed on the careers for which students are preparing for. To be prepared to fill an entry-level actuarial role upon graduation, emphasis is deservingly placed on these traditional roles as well as the exams and intensive analytical background needed to obtain them. However, there is an ever-increasing demand now placed on actuaries to fulfill roles beyond the traditional ones. Soft skills such as leadership and communication are just as important. With a greater scope of demands being placed on actuaries, there exist opportunities beyond the traditional roles which are so strongly articulated at the university level. This thesis discusses academic preparation, some descriptions of what some traditional versus non traditional roles are, how traditional actuaries become non-traditional ones, and discussion of how students can prepare to get the most out of their career. I would like to thank the Ball State Mathematics Department for allowing me to ask an unlimited amount of questions, both about the concepts I was learning and about the program I was a part of. They made being curious and involved as a student rewarding by granting me the opportunities they did. I would like to especially thank Mr. Richard Owens for being my thesis advisor for this thesis. He has made my path to a non-traditional actuarial role that much more possible.