Modern Frauds in Accounting
Fraudulent accounting practices are used by companies to misrepresent their financial positions and influence market perception of their stocks. Accounting frauds are among the top economic crimes of the 21st century. Different Accounting frauds are used by organization to manipulate its financial statements as per their benefits.TheExamples of accounting frauds include false reporting of revenue, creative accounting, fraudulent financial reporting, related party transaction, etc.
False Reporting of Revenue
False reporting of revenue is one of the most common forms accounting fraud.In order to increase its net profit, company re-categorize its expenses as revenue items, record them as sales figure or delay recording of expenses till the subsequent period.False reporting of revenue can take many forms, such as recording sales which are not yet made.
Creative Accounting
Creative accounting is a different technique for manipulation of the numbers in financial statements so as to present a more favourable financial position of the company. Creative accounting techniques include capitalizing expenses, accelerating the recognition of income, changing valuation of assets or liabilities etc. Creative accounting sometimes results an economic advantage to the company.
Fraudulent Financial Reporting
Fraudulent financial reporting is used to intentionally misstate, adjust or omit significant accounting reports to give an incorrect impression of the performance, financial condition or operation of a company.It also includes creation of false documents.
Related Party Transaction
Related party transaction is amongst the most complicated form of accounting frauds. It occurs when an entity has two or more relationships in multiple businesses. Company executives enter into these type of transactions in order to gain some unfair economic advantage.
Conclusion
It is hence important for educated people to provide understanding about the frauds and provide them with tools and teaching to help identify signs of accounting fraud in order to protect their hard earned money from the financial manipulators. Awareness of frauds in Accounting will help to preserve financial integrity and stability of organizations. Also there are various laws and organizations that help to protect the assets and financial rights of organizations and its stakeholders.