METHODOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF CONDUCTING AUDIT PROCEDURES IN RESPONSE TO FRAUD RISKS
Abstract and keywords
Abstract:
The increasing complexity of business processes and the development of information technologies create new opportunities for intentional misstatement of financial statements, posing serious challenges to the audit profession. The identification of fraud during an audit is complicated by insufficient methodological base: international standards establish only framework principles, existing research is fragmented, and modern approaches to fraud detection are often not adapted to the specifics of audit activities. This study contributes to solving this problem by systematizing methodological approaches to conducting audit procedures in response to fraud risks. The paper analyzes the requirements of international auditing standards regarding fraud, presents a five-stage model of auditor responsibilities, and structures the principles for conducting responsive procedures at the financial statement and assertion levels. Special attention is given to the methodology for testing the appropriateness of accounting entries (journal entry testing) and indicators of intentionally misstated accounting entries. The applicability of Benford's Law in conjunction with data mining technologies as a comprehensive statistical toolkit for identifying signs of fraud is analyzed. The research results are intended to optimize auditors' work in planning and conducting procedures in response to fraud risks and to enhance the effectiveness of detecting intentional misstatements in financial statements.

Keywords:
audit, fraudulent actions, fraud, fraud risks, accounting entries, Benford's Law, internal control system
References

1. International Standard on Auditing 200 "The Main Objectives of the Independent Auditor and Conducting an Audit in Accordance with International Standards on Auditing" (effective in the Russian Federation by Order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated 09.01.2019 N 2n) (as amended on 16.10.2023) // SPS ConsultantPlus.

2. International Standard on Auditing 230 "Audit Documentation" (effective in the Russian Federation by Order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated 09.01.2019 N 2n) (as amended on 16.10.2023) // SPS ConsultantPlus.

3. International Standard on Auditing 240 "The Auditor's Responsibilities Relating to Fraud in an Audit of Financial Statements" (effective in the Russian Federation by Order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated 09.01.2019 N 2n) (as amended on 16.10.2023) // SPS ConsultantPlus.

4. International Standard on Auditing 315 (revised, 2019) "Identifying and Assessing the Risks of Material Misstatement" (effective in the Russian Federation by Order of the Ministry of Finance of Russia dated 27.10.2021 N 163n) (as amended on 16.10.2023) // SPS ConsultantPlus.

5. Amzelt A.G. Analytical Procedures for Identifying the Risks of Material Misstatement Due to Fraud // Auditor. 2013. No. 12(226). P. 22-26. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12737/12716; EDN: https://elibrary.ru/RREZRJ

6. Arzhenovsky S.V., Bakhteyev A.V. The Risk of Falsification of Financial Statements and its Assessment in the Audit Process: Monograph. – Rostov n / D: Publishing and Printing Complex of the Russian State University of Economics (RINH). 2017. 104 p. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/YNEIWL

7. Bryukhanov M.Yu. Falsification of Financial Statements: Detection and Prevention: Abstract of the Dissertation ... Candidate of Economic Sciences: 08.00.12. Moscow, 2009. 23 p. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/ZNYMDR

8. Kogdenko V.G. Corporate Fraud: Analysis of Asset Misappropriation Schemes and Methods of Reporting Manipulation // Economic Analysis: Theory and Practice. 2015. No. 4 (403). P. 2-13. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/TGTLEZ

9. Leonov, P.Yu. Audit as a Tool for Combating Illegal Activity in Financial Markets // Scientific and Technological Progress: Information, Technologies, Mechanism: Collection of Articles from the International Scientific and Practical Conference, Taganrog, November 25, 2023. 2023. pp. 93-101. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/DMYWRA

10. Leonov P. Yu., Sushkov V. M. Benford's Law as a Tool for Identifying Signs of Fraud in Accounting: Monograph. Moscow: Plekhanov Russian University of Economics. 2023. 180 p. ISBN 978-5-7307-2063-3. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/FFWIXE

11. Sotnikova L. V. Fraud in Financial Reporting: Detection and Prevention: Textbook. Moscow: Rusains, 2019. 394 p. ISBN 978-5-4365-3300-1. EDN: https://elibrary.ru/SHQSFL

12. Sushkov V. M. Classification and Systematization of Fraud Patterns Detected During an Audit of Financial Statements // Auditor. 2024. No. 6. pp. 10-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12737/1998-0701-2024-10-6-10-20; EDN: https://elibrary.ru/FYOYZY

13. Sushkov V. M. Methodological Approach to Assessing the Risk of Fraud by an Audited Entity Based on the Analysis of High-Risk Accounting Entities // Proceedings of the III International Scientific and Practical Forum on Economic Security "VIII VSKEB": Collection of materials from the International Scientific and Practical Forum, Moscow, April 26-28, 2022. Moscow: National Research Nuclear University MEPhI. 2022. pp. 111-126.

14. Sushkov V. M. Application of Data Mining Methods in Audit Procedures in Response to the Risks of Material Misstatement Due to Fraud // Economic Sciences. 2024. No. 239. pp. 215-223. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14451/1.239.215; EDN: https://elibrary.ru/VVHPFJ

15. Stefan M.A., Feruleva N.V. Audit of Financial Statement Fraud: Specific Aspects // International Accounting. 2017. Vol. 20. No. 2 (416). Pp. 88-105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24891/ia.20.2.88; EDN: https://elibrary.ru/XKOKZH

16. ACFE Report to the Nations 2024 [Electronic resource] // Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. URL: https://legacy.acfe.com/report-to-the-nations/2024 (date accessed: 08.10.2025).

17. Benford F. The law of anomalous numbers // Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. 1938. No. 78 (4). Pp. 551-572.

18. Benford Online Bibliography [Electronic resource] // URL: https://benfordonline.net (date of access: 08.10.2025).

19. Global Economic Crime Survey 2024 [Electronic resource] // PricewaterhouseCoopers. URL: https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/forensics/economic-crime-survey.html (date of access: 08.10.2025).

20. Newcomb S. Note on the frequency of use of the different digits in natural numbers // American Journal of Mathematics. 1881. No. 4 (1). pp. 39-40. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2369148

21. Nigrini M.J. An assessment of the change in the incidence of earnings management around the Enron-Andersen episode // Review of Accounting and Finance. 2005. No. 4 (1). pp. 92-110. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/eb043420

22. Nigrini M.J. Benford's Law: Applications for forensic accounting, auditing, and fraud detection. John Wiley & Sons. 2012. 352 p. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119203094

23. Nigrini M.J. The Detection of Income Tax Evasion Through an Analysis of Digital Frequencies. PhD Thesis. University of Cincinnati, OH, USA. 1992.

24. Varian H. Benford's law // The American Statistician. 1972. No. 26(3). pp. 65-66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00031305.1972.10478935

Login or Create
* Forgot password?