Evaluating the impact of risk management and risk-based internal audit on fraud detection in local governments

Abstract

One of the leading indicators for improving fraud detection capability is the evaluation of the implementation of risk management and risk-based internal audit and information technology systems. This study aims to evaluate how risk management and risk-based internal audits influence fraud detection capabilities in local government when integrated with information technology systems. SPSS 26 was utilized for data analysis. The paper uses a quantitative approach, collecting primary data with questionnaires distributed among 200 auditors and 70 supervisors across four districts in West Java. A purposive sampling approach based on self-selection was used. The findings show that the ability to detect fraud is significantly and positively influenced by the implementation of a risk-based internal audit (sig 0.000 < 0.05) and risk management process (sig 0.000 < 0.05). On the other hand, the risk management framework (sig 0.107 > 0.05) has a negative and insignificant effect on improving fraud detection capability. In addition, the relationships between the risk management process (sig 0.006 < 0.05) and fraud detection capability were found to be moderated by information technology systems. However, information technology systems are unable to moderate the relationship between risk-based internal audit (sig 0.563 > 0.05) and risk management framework (sig 0.115 > 0.05) on fraud detection capability. Therefore, risk management and risk-based internal audits are able to detect fraud, and information technology systems can strengthen the risk management process with the ability to detect fraud. AcknowledgmentThe authors would like to thank the University of North Sumatra, especially the Research Institute, for its support and the Ministry of Education and Research through the Directorate of Research, Technology, and Community Service program for providing intellectual assistance and funding for this project in the PMDSU grant (number: 91/UN5.4.10.S/PPM/KP-DRTPM/2024).