Falsifying balance sheets, income statements, and cash-flow statements to deceive readers of financial statements is exactly what it sounds like. The fraudster can be after money for themselves or to keep the business running. One of the numerous types of accounting fraud is the use of false financial statements. These may entail several offences, such as perjury and securities fraud.

Why Would You Fabricate Financial Information?

Naturally, many individuals conduct financial statement fraud to benefit themselves. It is in their self-interest to overstate revenue on the income statement if their bonus depends on how much money their department generates. Upper management would fabricate financial information to make it appear otherwise if business performance was subpar to appease the owners.

Management fraud schemes don’t always aim to enrich the perpetrators. Business owners may manipulate accounts to appear healthy to lenders or investors. They can achieve this by exaggerating income and asset values or downplaying the firm’s liabilities and debts.

Common Fraudulent Techniques

It is easy to falsify books. The tools are frequently essential:

• Provide goods to fictitious clients, then charge the accounts for sale.
• Claim fictitious sales revenue, for instance, by automatically assigning a dependable customer for future purchases.
• Reporting expenses later in a billing cycle will make current earnings appear better.
• Falsify an asset’s worth. The business must account for any value losses on the balance sheet, such as those associated with stock investments. By not doing that, the company’s assets appear to be worth more than they actually are.

Individuals who commit fraud frequently employ several heuristics. They might also engage in other forms of deception.

Fraud Warning Indicators

According to auditors and fraud specialists, business owners can use several warning indicators to identify potential hazards. The warning signs are the same whether you’re looking at your own organisation or another one:

• A manager or accountant who exceeds her means of support.
• Someone with a financial history of difficulty.
• The person is under intense pressure to perform and generate income.
• Someone who struggles with control is unwilling to delegate tasks to others.

Some indications concern the papers more than the individual:

• Missing or changed paperwork.
• Unaccounted-for objects and discrepancies.
• Cash flow is stagnant, but revenue is increasing.
• A substantial, unforeseen change in assets or obligations.
• Performance at the company picks up before the fiscal year’s end.
• According to the books, you’re succeeding while your rivals are failing.
• Unaccounted-for loans or bonuses.

Reversing the rot

Call in an auditor if you suspect fraud is taking on. Yet, setting up the situation is preferable so fabrication cannot begin. A requirement is reliable internal controls. For instance, the person writing the claims should be someone other than the one reviewing them. Employees can more easily report questionable activity thanks to a hotline.

Always follow your gut instinct. Ask if something seems off, and look further. If the answers need to be added up, look further.