Professional Demographic Factors That Influence Iranian Auditors Perceptions Of The Fraud-Detecting Effectiveness Of Red Flags

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between professional demographic factors concerning external and internal auditors and the perceived level of effectiveness of the Statement of Auditing Standard (SAS) No. 99 red flags in detecting fraudulent financial reporting activities as perceived by external and internal auditors. The six hypotheses are: (1) the type of auditors using red flags to detect fraud, (2) highest degrees received by auditors, (3) areas that auditors majored in at universities, (4) auditors’ accumulated knowledge of red flags, (5) auditors who have or have not used red flags to detect fraud, and (6) auditors whohave or have not received in-house red flag training.  The six hypotheses explore how six professional demographic factors may influence the level of fraud-detecting effectiveness of the SAS No. 99 red flags as perceived by 227 external and internal auditors in Iran.  The results of this study indicate that all six hypotheses were accepted.   In conclusion, the level of fraud-detecting effectiveness of these red flags as perceived by the Iranian auditors may be influenced by the following factors: (1) the type of auditors, (2) the highest degrees received by auditors, (3) areas that auditors majored in at universities, (4) knowledge about red flags accumulated by auditors, (5) auditors whohave or have not previously used red flags to detect fraud, and (6) auditors whohave or have not previously received in-house red flag training.