IS BENFORD’S LAW EFFECTIVE IN FRAUD DETECTION FOR EXPENSE CYCLE?

Year 2020, Volume: 42 Issue: 2, 316 - 326, 31.12.2020

Emre Ergin İlkay Ejder Erturan

https://doi.org/10.14780/muiibd.854444

Abstract

Despite measures taken by firms to prevent fraud, it has been found in recent studies that losses derived
from fraudulent activities are increasing on a global basis. International standards on auditing do not define
which analytical approaches and technological tools to be used in performing audit. Decisions are left
on the auditor’s judgment. Auditors try to use digital techniques to deal with mass data sets generated
by firms. Academic research may mislead practitioners as controversial outcomes exist in literature
concerning empirical research. Benford’s Law (BL) is one of the methods used frequently in digital analysis.
Although some researchers defend the use of BL in audit, especially in fraud detection, this paper disputes
its effectiveness for expense cycle. Different firm’s data are tested to conclude that the use of BL is not
appropriate for expense items. The reasons of this deficiency are explained in this paper.

Keywords

Benford’s Law, Audit, Fraud, Expense Cycle

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