Three cases of corporate fraud: An audit perspective

Abstract

In this paper we examine three cases in order to evaluate, in some detail and form an audit perspective, what can occur when management fraud and distortions in the financial accounts lead to adverse social, political and economic consequences. The cases analysed here are, for the most part, well known: Adelphia (U.S.), HIH Insurance (Australia) and Bond Corp (Australia). They are also significant in terms of the dollars misappropriated and in terms of the number of people involved or damaged as a result of the frauds. We attempt here to bring a fresh perspective to the stories around these corporate failures by examining the fraudulent activities in light of the auditor’s role, and how the auditor could have enabled a better quality and more timely information to be disclosed about them. Audit implications inform the analysis of each case, and some common themes are found in a cross-case analysis evaluated using Birchfield’s (2004) ‘perfect storm’ conceptual scenario. Recommendations for further research conclude the paper.