M-Score Model Research Articles

Diamond Fraud Elements: Implication Of Fraud Indications On Preparation Of Financial Report

This research aims to explore fraud diamond elements to detect fraud indications in financial statement. Samples were taken from 32 state owned enterprises of Indonesia which published audited financial statement from 2016 to 2018. The hypothesis in this study were tested by Benish M-score model. Fraud diamond elements are financial stability measured by assets change, financial pressure measured by return on assets, external pressure measured by leverage, nature of industry measured by receivable, ineffective monitoring measured by independent commissioners, rationalization measured by total accrual to total assets and capability measured by change of directors. Nature of industry has positive effect to fraud indications in financial statement while the rest six elements have no influences.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND FRAUDULENT ACTIONS IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: THE CASE OF HOTEL COMPANIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

The quality of information presented in the financial statements of companies may be impaired due to fraudulent activities. One of the frequently used instruments that indicates that fraud has been committed in the financial statements is the Beneish M-score model. The purpose of the research is to examine the exposure of hotel companies in the Republic of Serbia to the risk of fraud in financial statements, as well as to determine whether there has been a change in that risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was conducted on a sample of 100 randomly selected hotel companies, and their financial reports for 2019 and 2020 were observed. There was a high risk of fraud based on the recognition of costs of sales, management and administration, and borrowing in both observed years, as well as a high risk of fraud based on the recognition of income and gross margin index in 2020. Further, it was determined that in the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the risk of fraud in the financial statements based on the gross margin index and recognition of selling, management and administration costs. Microenterprises are exposed to a higher risk of fraud based on the recognition of costs of sales, management and administration compared to medium-sized ones. Limited liability companies are more exposed to risk based on the recognition of sales revenue, accrual item and total risk (measured by the 8-variable model) compared to joint-stock companies. On the other hand, joint-stock companies are more exposed to the risk of fraud based on gross margin and general risk of fraud (measured by the 5-variable model) compared to limited liability companies.

Does Model Reflect on Reality? Exploring Beneish M Score on Selected Private Commercial Banks in Nepal

This research explores if possible fraudulent financial statement is present in private commercial banks in Nepal. This study examines the viability of Beneish M-score model in detecting probable earning manipulation considering the sample of 16 private commercial banks including the joint ventures. The published annual report (income statement and balance sheet) of the year 2018 and 2019 of respective banks are used as a secondary source of information. This research employs Beneish M-score equation and threshold value -2.22 as keys to analysis. The result shows even four banks are engaging in income manipulation, the Beneish model cannot identify the deception on the financial statement. Though the given model is suggested for manufacturing companies, the researcher has used it to explore the Banks—this is the limitation of this research. Further investigation of these tools combined with other fraud detection models is suggested to discover financial manipulation and relationship with the stock market return.

Fraudulent financial reporting: an application of fraud diamond to Toshiba’s accounting scandal

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine Toshiba’s fraudulent financial reporting in relation to the fraud diamond (pressure, opportunity, rationalisation and capability).Design/methodology/approachA quantitative empirical research, analysing secondary data from Toshiba’s published annual reports before restatement, from 2008–2014 has been used. A simultaneous equations approach was used to test the hypothesis. Excel software was used to analyse secondary data and to carry out correlation analysis and descriptive statistics analysis.FindingsThis study uncovers evidence that pressure proxied by return on assets (ROA), the opportunity proxied by ineffective monitoring (BDOUT), rationalisation proxied by audit opinion (AO) and capability proxied by board member changes (BCHANGE) had moderate to strong relationship to financial statement fraud (FSF) (proxied by Beneish M-score model). However, ROA has a negative and significant effect on Toshiba’s FSF. BDOUT, AO and BCHANGE have positive and significant effect on Toshiba’s FSF. Furthermore, there is no multicollinearity problem within the four variables. Overall, this study has statistically proven that all dimensions of fraud diamond are required for the explanation of Toshiba’s accounting scandal.Originality/valueAlthough a few studies discuss the four dimensions (fraud diamond), none, to our surprise, exists which explain the circumstances led Toshiba’s high-level executives to commit fraud. This study is the first thorough investigation of Toshiba’s accounting scandal that uses all four dimensions to explain Toshiba’s FSF.

Bankruptcy Risk Prediction in Ensuring the Sustainable Operation of Agriculture Companies

In recent decades, predicting company bankruptcies and financial troubles has become a major concern for various stakeholders. Furthermore, because financially sustainable businesses are affected by numerous highly complex factors, both internal and external, the situation is even more complex. This paper applies Altman’s Z-score models; more precisely, the paper applies the initial Z-score model (a model for manufacturing companies), the Z′-score model (for companies operating in emerging markets), and the Z-score bankruptcy probability calculation. Therefore, this paper offers the results of the application of different Z-score models and the calculation of bankruptcy probability on a sample of agricultural companies listed on the Belgrade Stock Exchange in the period 2015–2019. In addition, different Z-score models are used for the same sample so that the difference between their results and application can be determined. In addition, the validity of the data published in the financial statements of the respective companies was confirmed using the Beneish M-score model with five and eight variables. The results obtained by applying Altman’s Z-score model (initial and adapted to emerging markets) indicate that a certain number of companies had impaired financial stability during the observed period, i.e., that they were in danger of bankruptcy. In addition, based on the results obtained using the Beneish M-score model, it was identified that a number of companies showed signals that indicate possible fraudulent financial reporting. Further, it was found that less than half of the observed companies reported on environmental protection in their annual reports, and they did so by providing a modest amount of information. The originality and value of the paper lies in suggesting that policymakers in the Serbian emerging markets should pay more attention to the operations of companies from the observed sector, as well as to their financial and non-financial reporting. Future research should focus on comparisons with agricultural companies from the same sector whose securities are listed on stock exchanges in the region.

Testing of Fraudulent Financial Statements With the Beneish M-Score Model for Manufacturing Companies Listed in the Indonesian Stock Exchange


 
 
 Fraudulent financial statements are disclosures of a company’s financial condition which are intentionally made inaccurate by eliminating values. This study aimed to examine the effect of using the Beneish M-Score model against fraud reports of manufacturing companies listed in the Indonesian Stock Exchange in 2016 -2018. Purposive sampling was used and the sample consisted of 69 companies. The results showed that the Days Sales in Receivables Index, Gross Margin Index and Total Accrual to Total Asset had a significant positive effect on financial statement fraud, while the Asset Quality Index, Sales Growth Index, Depreciation Index, Sales General and Administrative Expenses Index, and Leverage Index did not affect fraudulent financial statements.
 
 
 
 Keywords: fraud, Beneish, logistic regression
 
 
 
 
 

Application Of Beneish M-Score Model In Detecting Probable Earnings Manipulation In Malaysian Public Listed Companies

Earnings manipulation involves alteration, adjustment, exploitation, and even timing of transactions in financial statements with the intention to report a sound economic performance in a company. This act could jeopardize the company’s financial performance in the long run and also make its stakeholders to suffer significant losses. Therefore, a tool to detect or predict earnings manipulation would be helpful to the stakeholders, practitioners, regulators, academicians, and professionals in the accounting field. Besides, an early detection tool is needed to alarm the enforcement agencies to make further investigations or legal actions. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyse the Beneish M-Score models and its eight accounting variables to detect the likelihood to engage in earnings manipulation in the case of Malaysian PLCs (Public Listed Companies). The financial data of 80 of PLCs from 2015 to 2017 were gathered. This study applied Beneish Model as a detection tool for earnings manipulation and anomalies of red flags and to classify the companies into two groups, which are manipulators and non-likely manipulators. The Independent T-tests were analysed to identify dominating ratios. The results of this study found that M-Score and its three indexes were significantly different for manipulators and non-likely manipulators, which are Sales Growth Index (SGI), Total Accruals to Total Assets (TATA) and Days' Sales Receivable index (DSRI). The percentage of manipulators had slightly decreased in 2016 and gradually increased in 2017. Hence, the inflation or overestimation of sales and revenues, as well as accruals, could signals earnings manipulation.

Detekcija prevara u finansijskom izveštavanju kod malih i srednjih entiteta iz oblasti prerađivačke industrije

The importance of forensic accounting has been growing in recent years, especially when it comes to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). These entities do not have sufficiently developed accounting functions, they do not invest enough in staff who are not consequently motivated to present certain items of financial statements in a precise manner and in accordance with accounting standards. This results in reporting errors. The other side of the coin are the manipulations that happen with the intention and goal of presenting better business than the real situation to banks and other stakeholders. In this research paper, Beneish's M-Score model with five variables (M5) was applied as a method of forensic accounting, in order to detect manipulations in SMEs from sector C-Manufacturing in Serbia. The sample includes 73 companies, and only for 3 of them the M (5) Score exceeded the reference value and indicated a high risk of manipulation. The situation is different when looking at model variables individually; however, the results of the Mann-Whitney test indicate that there is no statistically significant difference in the level of liquidity and profitability of a firm depending on whether an entity manipulated from the individual model variables point of view or not.

Primena Beneish M-Score i Altman Z-Score modela kod otkrivanja finansijskih prevara i neuspeha kompanije

Bankruptcy is a risk that any company can face, regardless of its size. The importance of predicting a company's bankruptcy for years before its development is enormous, and it is important for financial sustainability. Financial reporting is an important platform for making financial decisions of investors and creditors. In recent years, the frequency of false financial reporting by firms has increased and there are concerns about investors' confidence in capital market. Academics and industry experts adopt a variety of risk management techniques to detect fraudulent financial reporting. A case study was applied in this paper. Based on publicly available financial data (disclosed financial statements) of a domestic textile company for the period 2017-2020, whose shares are listed on the stock exchange, a survey was conducted based on the application of Altman's Z-Score model and Beneish M-Score model. Financial distress is an important criterion to monitor when assessing the likelihood of fraud reporting. When a company is operating poorly, there is a greater motivation to engage in fraudulent financial reporting. The findings show that the results differ according to the applied method in terms of identifying the possibility of bankruptcy and the possibility of fraud in the financial statements of the observed company. The results of the study can be important to investors, auditors, regulators, bankers, tax and other government bodies.

Could globally used Beneish M-score predict the manipulation of the accounting statements in the Slovak republic?

Research background: Globalization is characteristic by many companies which are doing their business worldwide in various tax policies, so they are able to use the possibilities of creative accounting for their own benefit. And although the term creative accounting is concerned mainly with multinational companies, it is not an unknown technique also for local companies. Purpose of the article: The PwC’s Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey proved that economic crime is constantly evolving worldwide. At present, there is a huge number of frauds, which include corruption, misappropriation of assets, or fraudulent reporting. These papers are focused only on accounting fraud and creative accounting as the way to adjust accounting books and reports. Methods: The aim of the papers is to analyse the detection ability of the Beneish M-score model in the specific condition of the Slovak republic. These specific conditions consider tax minimization as the key factor for creative accounting implementation. The analysis was made with a Slovak company that was legally convicted of intentional manipulation of the accounting statements. Findings & Value added: The consideration of the specific condition in M-score for Slovak republic showed the best detection ability to reveal the frauds. As our study reveals, reduced M – score5 was unreliable in the condition of the Slovak republic and although Beneish consider 3 indicators as redundant it seems that in the condition of the Slovak republic it is important to carefully consider their implementation.

Using the Beneish M-score model: Evidence from non-financial companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange

The risk of distortion of financial statements has been growing. Following the 2008 crisis, recipients of financial information are increasingly focusing on the likelihood of financial statements being distorted through fraudulent presentation of financial information. Therefore, scientific research pays more attention to models capable of detecting financial statement manipulation.The paper aims to present the principles of functioning and the possibility of using the Beneish M-score model in Polish realities. It analyzes the history of more than 30 companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange to select those whose history indicates that they can be classified as manipulators, and to select the same number of companies from the control group that are considered as non-manipulators.The research method involves the analysis of empirical data on companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The analysis showed the 8-factor Beneish model identified manipulators with 100% accuracy and succeeded in identifying non-manipulators. The effectiveness of the 5-factor model was much lower. To serve the purpose of the study, the effectiveness of the Beneish model was tested on a small sample of Polish listed companies as an introduction to a planned larger scale research. The results obtained are consistent with the results of numerous studies by authors from various countries and confirm the effectiveness of the Beneish model in detecting financial statement manipulation. AcknowledgmentThe publication is sponsored by funds from the Cracow University of Economics for the maintenance and development of research potential.

Factors Impact Reducing Money Earning Manipulation withintheListed Malaysian Companies; theModerating Role ofAccounting Ethics

This study aims to investigate the impact of three dimensions suggested by Beneish M-Score model on reducing money earning manipulation within listed companies in Malaysia. Also, examining the moderation role of accounting ethics toward the improvement of these factors on reducing money earning manipulation. These three dimensions called asset quality management, accrual quality management, and leverage quality management. This study follows the cross-section method. The questionnaire instrument is used to collect the data from 370 employees in financial and insurance business of Malaysia. The empirical analysis of structural model of the study revealed that the direct relationships of financial management transactions dimensions are significantly positively related to reducing money earning manipulation. The path analysis confirmed moderating effect of accounting ethics has also been found positively significant positive on the relationship between financial management transactions and reducing money earning manipulation. The present study is first of its kind to explore the moderating effect of accounting ethics among financial and insurance business of Malaysia. It suggested that financial management transactions are an important concept for management of financial and insurance organizations, which can considerably influence working environment and reduce money earning manipulation.

Investigating Financial Statement Fraud in Ghana Using Beneish M-Score: A Case of Listed Companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange

This quantitative research was conducted to detect the possibility of earnings manipulation by listed companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange, determine the relationship between company size and earnings manipulation and find out the existence of a correlation between share price and earnings manipulation. Using 22 companies out of a total of 41 listed companies, financial data gathered from published financial statements on the companies’ websites, Ghana Stock Exchange website and Annual Report Ghana website were examined from 2011 to 2016. Applying Beneish M-score model for the period 2011-2016, it was found that 26.2% of the sample size on the average were involved in creative accounting. The study also found that 28.4% of the small companies on the average were involved in earnings manipulation during the period 2011-2016 as compared to 25.4% of the big companies. However, the Mann-Whitney U test conducted revealed that there is no statistically significant difference between the level of earnings manipulation and company size. Spearman’s correlation analysis was conducted, firstly, on the entire sample and separately on the small and big companies. The results of the analysis showed that earnings manipulation and share price, statistically, were not significantly correlated. The quantitative research provides an insight into the level of earnings management amongst listed companies in Ghana and the appropriateness of the M-score model in detecting earnings manipulation. The evidence of incidence of creative accounting amongst the sampled companies is an indication of the need for more stringent measures to curb such practice to ensure the stability of the Ghanaian stock market and protect investor interest.

Predicting Bankruptcy and Financial Fraud of Both Listed and Unlisted Commercial Banks in Ghana Using 3 Z-Score Models

The purpose of this study was to assess the possibilities of bankruptcy and financial statement fraud in Ghana’s banking sector. An investigation of the financial statements of the banks for the period 2015 to 2018 was made with the use of Altman’s (2000), Taffler’s (1983), and Beneish (1999) models. The Altman (2000) and Taffler (1983) models are predictors of insolvency or bankruptcy. To unveil the possibilities of financial statement fraud, this study used the Beneish [1999], model. The examination of the bank's annual financial reports with the Beneish model revealed the banks were engaged in earnings manipulation. The Altman [2000] and Taffler [1983] models, on the other hand, brought to light the financial soundness of the banks with an average of 14 (74%) and 18 (95%) of the 19 selected banks correctly classified into the safe zone with an impressive Z-Score performance according to Altman and Taffler’s models respectively. The study, therefore recommends that, if the Beneish model is applied well together with the failure prediction models by researchers, it can provide a reliable finding for policymaking. Also, auditors, investors, management, and stockholders when making good use of the Beneish model, it can provide potential ‘red flags’ for further investigation to be carried out for better audit assignment Keywords: Altman [2000] Z-score model, Beneish [1999] M-score model, bankruptcy, commercial banks, fraud, financial statement, Ghana, Taffler [1983] Z-score model . DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-12-05 Publication date: April 30 th 2020

Research and improvement of fraud identification model of Chinese A-share listed companies based on M-score

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to start with the background of the construction of the M-score model, find the variables that can represent the fraud characteristics of Chinese companies, and use the data of Chinese A-share listed companies to modify the M-score model. Design/methodology/approach In this paper, the fraud behavior of Chinese enterprises that M-score cannot detect is summarized as the basis of adding variables. Then, based on the data of Chinese listed companies, a modified M-score model including nine variables is constructed by the logistic regression method based on Wald. Findings Based on the original 8 variables of M-score, this paper adds 10 new variables that can represent the fraud characteristics of Chinese listed companies, and finally, constructs a modified M-score model with 9 variables. Results indicated that indexes such as gross profit margin, fixed assets depreciation rate, equity concentration and audit opinion can characterize the financial fraud of Chinese listed companies. Practical implications The modified M-score model based on the characteristics of Chinese enterprises’ fraud is more suitable for Chinese market, which can help investors avoid fraud risks, protect their own rights and interests and reduce losses. Originality/value Starting from the background of the model, this paper looks for variables that can characterize the characteristics of fraud in Chinese listed companies. Then, subdivides the research samples into specific fiscal years in which fraud occurs, so that the modified M-score model can be more suitable for the Chinese market.

Dampak dari auditor quality, financial stability, dan financial target terhadap fraudulent financial reporting

Purpose: This study aims to provide empirical evidence of the effect of auditor quality, financial stability, and financial targets on fraudulent financial reporting. Research methodology: This research was quantitative descriptive combining the Beneish M-Score and Springate's Model in predicting fraudulent financial reporting. The sample in this study was non-financial companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange with an observation period of 2010-2018. The sampling technique was purposive sampling and 1120 observations were obtained. Data processing was done using SPSS version 22 with logistic regression. Results: The results of the study prove that the auditor quality variable has a probability of a negative effect on FFR where the companies audited by BIG4 are able to minimize fraudulent financial reporting. Financial targets have negative effect on FFR, which means the lower the financial target, the greater the probability of the company to do fraudulent financial reporting. While the financial stability variable is negatively expected influencing the fraudulent financial reporting variable. Limitations: This study only used a sample of non-financial companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2010-2018 and met the criteria. The dependent variable fraudulent financial reporting was measured by the Beneish M-Score model and the Springate’s Model. The independent variable was auditor quality, financial stability, and financial target. Contribution: This research is expected to be able to enrich the literature and references that can be used as a reference in other studies as well as in the company. The results of this study are expected to provide a deeper understanding of how to predict fraudulent financial reporting using the Beneish M-Score and Springate’s Model. Keywords: Financial reporting, Auditor quality, Financial stability, Financial target

Investigating Financial Statement Fraud in Ghana using Beneish M-Score: A Case of Listed Companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE)

This quantitative research was conducted to detect the possibility of earnings manipulation by listed companies on the Ghana Stock Exchange, determine which company size engages more in creative accounting and find out whether there is a correlation between share price and earnings manipulation. Using 22 companies out of a total of 41 listed companies, financial data gathered from published financial statements on the companies’ websites, Ghana Stock Exchange website and Annual Report Ghana website were examined from 2011 to 2016. Applying Beneish M-score model for the period 2011-2016, it was found that 26.2% of the sample size on the average were involved in creative accounting. The study also found that 28.4% of the small companies on the average were involved in earnings manipulation during the period 2011-2016 as compared to 25.4% of the big companies. However, the Mann-Whitney U test conducted revealed that there is no statistically significant difference between the level of earnings manipulation amongst small and big companies. Spearman’s correlation analysis was conducted, first on the entire sample and subsequently conducted separately on the small and big companies. The results of the analysis showed that earnings manipulation and share price, statistically, were not significantly related. The quantitative research provides an insight into the level of earnings management amongst public companies in Ghana and the appropriateness of the M-score model in detecting earnings manipulation. The evidence of incidence of creative accounting amongst the sampled companies is an indication of the need for more stringent measures to curb such practice to ensure the stability of the Ghanaian stock market and protect investor interest.

The creative accounting in determining the bankruptcy of Business Corporation

If there is a period of unfavourable to critical economic development Business Corporation, there is no doubt about the significance of determining the actual factual moment of bankruptcy of the business corporation. In such a situation, it is crucial for further development approach of the statutory body of Business Corporation in terms of truly evaluation and timely search for a constructive solution. There are different methods of creative accounting to delaying the impending corporation bankruptcy. This paper describes the individual ways in which the creative accounting can favour the business corporation, e.g. increase the reported earnings or reduce the reported loss, manipulate with indicators used in financial analysis, conceal financial risk or strengthen the company´s access to finance. The reason for using these practices by the company management can be just a simple delay in solving the situation, trying to keep the company position as long as possible or the reasons are more complex and sophisticated. There are many model to predict the adjusting financial statements. We described and applied two of them, the CFEBT model and BENEISH M-score model.

Firms` Participation in Tax Amnesty Program Engaged in Financial Reporting Manipulation: An Empirical Evidence from Listed Companies in Indonesia

The research investigated the relation between firms participated in tax amnesty programs and their tendency to manipulate financial statements. The research explored some unique research settings during Indonesia’s tax amnesty period in 2016-2017. To examine the association, the researchers employed Beneish’s M-Score model to categorize the firm’s tendency to manipulate its financial statements. As the test variable, it classified the firm’s participation in the tax amnesty program with a dummy variable, 1 if the firm participated, and 0 otherwise. To control the variations in financial statements manipulation, it also included firm size, leverage, and profitability in our empirical model. Based on the sample of 796 firm-year observations in the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) from the 2012-2017 period, it is found some evidence that firms participate in tax amnesty programs do not engage in financial statements manipulation. Further analysis of the corporate tax avoidance measures shows that those firms do not engage in tax avoidance activities either. The results suggest that firms participate in the tax amnesty programs are not necessary ‘bad firms’, and they just participate as a ‘symbolic’ gesture to get some indirect benefits of the program.

Evaluasi Keakuratan Model Beneish M-Score Sebagai Alat Deteksi Kecurangan Laporan Keuangan (Kasus Perusahaan Pada Otoritas Jasa Keuangan di Indonesia)

This research has been conducted aiming to see in more detail whether the fraud detection model that has been used so far, the Beneish M-Score, is capable of being one of the tools to see financial report fraud occurring in the business world. This is interesting to study considering that many companies in the Financial Services Authority (OJK) in Indonesia receive warnings and even fines for the delay in submitting financial reports to Capital Market Authority.To carry out the analysis process as in the objectives in the first paragraph, the research team took a sample of 23 companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, where the companies were in the list of OJK. The 23 companies that were sanctioned by the OJK compared to 23 not sanctioned companies. In sample of companies that were sanctioned by the OJK, the number of non-manipulator companies according to the Beneish M-Score calculation was 62% and for companies included in the manipulator classification only 38%. Whereas in the sample of companies not subject to sanctions from the OJK, the number of companies included in the non-manipulator category is actually smaller, 52%, calculated using M-Score. This is the main basis for further research.In this study, the analysis process is carried out by quantitative explanatory analysis using probit regression models (probit models), on financial statement data which are categorized into two, the financial ratio with original data from OJK (audited) and the financial ratio with data modification (advanced business analysis). The results show that Beneish M-Score Model could not be implemented effectively to detect the fraud in the companies under control by OJK because only 2 (two) variables influence the existence of fraudulent, are Asset Quality Index (AQI) and Total Accrual To Total Assets (TATA). Thus, it is appropriate and important for the Beneish M-Score modeling to be equipped with other models that are more able to explain.