23 Oktober 2025

Difference between error and fraud in auditing

 

Aspect

Error

Fraud

Definition

Unintentional misstatement in the financial statements.

Intentional act to obtain an unjust or illegal advantage.

Intent

No intent to deceive.

Deliberate deception.

Common causes

Misunderstanding, clerical mistakes, misapplication of GAAP/MFRS, estimation mistakes.

Manipulation/forgery of records, misappropriation of assets, override of controls, fictitious transactions.

Examples

Mis-keying RM 1,000 as RM 10,000; wrong depreciation rate applied by mistake.

Recording fake sales at period-end; paying ghost employees; hiding liabilities.

Indicators (“red flags”)

Random, non-pattern mistakes; corrected when found.

Patterns favoring management targets, missing docs, unusual EoP journal entries, related-party transactions not disclosed, management override.

Auditor’s response

Design procedures to detect material misstatements due to error; extend testing if error risk appears high.

Per ISA 240, presume risk of fraud in revenue recognition and management override; perform fraud-focused procedures (journal-entry testing, unpredictability, inquiries), consider whistleblower tips, increase professional skepticism.

Consequences

Restatement/adjustment; control remediation.

Possible restatement and legal, regulatory, and governance repercussions; communicate to those charged with governance; consider withdrawal from engagement.

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