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impact on the information presented in the financial statements. Further, auditors
rely not only on financial assessments, they also consider various qualitative
factors such as whether they have discovered fraud in prior audits or there are
allegations of illegal acts or fraud. Generally, illegal acts have no materiality
threshold and require that auditors pay close attention to their nature and
corresponding consequences to the company.
7-TRQ #6. Is earnings management considered fraud?
Answer: Earnings management involves deliberate actions by management to meet
specific earnings objectives, generally, for private gain. There is no perfect
advice for auditors and forensic accountants in this regard except that
management may find itself on a slippery slope—an earnings management in one
period may lead to fraud in the next. Any sign of deliberate efforts to manage
earnings should be considered a red flag, and those performing the work should
use their heightened sense of professional skepticism to be aware of other choices
made by management, signs of management override (by carefully examining
journal entries, estimates, and unusual transactions), and signs of collusion among
the executive ranks. Managing earnings can be fraud, whether or not material.
The primary issue is whether the independent auditor or forensic accountant has
clear and convincing evidence that demonstrates that earnings have, in fact, been
managed.
7-TRQ #7. What are some red flags that may indicate that fraud is occurring?
Answer: The red flags that can lead to a formal fraud investigation include tips and
complaints, behavioral red flags, analytical anomalies, accounting anomalies and
internal control irregularities and weaknesses.
7-TRQ #8. What is meant by behavioral red flags?
Answer: Behavioral anomalies are exhibited in lifestyles and unusual behaviors. Lifestyle
symptoms can be observed through cars, homes, boats, jewelry, clothing and
other material possession of which they could not or should not be able to afford.
Also, the fear of getting caught and the ramifications associated with that cause
the person to exhibit unusual behaviors. The underlying cause may be guilt or fear
but either way, stress is created. That stress then causes changes in the person’s
behavior. Such changes include insomnia, alcohol abuse, drug abuse, irritability,
paranoia, inability to relax, inability to look people in the eye, signs of
embarrassment, defensiveness, argumentativeness, belligerence, confession to a
trusted confidant, pointing failure at others (scapegoats), (excessive or starting)
smoking and other anxiety-based symptoms.