Accounting Ethics and Minimization of Financial Crimes in the Nigerian Banking Sector
Keywords:
Accounting Ethics, Fraud, Financial Crime, Fraud PreventionAbstract
This study examined the role of accounting ethics in minimizing financial crimes in the Nigerian banking industry. Regression analysis found a significant positive influence of ethics on fraud prevention. Also, an independent samples t-test revealed a significant difference in financial crime rates between high versus low ethics compliance banks. The findings revealed that improving employee awareness of regulations reduces violations, but ethical breaches still occur due to ignorance, rationalization and pressure. Regular training programs on compliance are lacking. The study concludes that accounting ethics compliance plays a pivotal role in preventing financial crimes but concerted efforts are required to strengthen frameworks, monitoring, deterrence and continuous education to entrench ethical values. Key recommendations include regulatory agencies enhancing their oversight of banks' ethics compliance, mandatory ethics training for employees, establishing confidential whistleblowing channels, and management exemplifying ethical conduct.
References
Abdullahi, R., and Mansor, N. (2015). Management perspectives on causes of fraud: a review of literature. International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, 5(1S), 155-162.
Abiola, J. O., and Oyewole, S. O. (2013a). Impact of ethical leadership style on self-efficacy development among Nigeria police officers. Journal of Business Ethics, 112(3), 487- 499.
Abiola, J. O., and Oyewole, S. O. (2013b). Impact of internal control system on fraud detection in Nigerian deposit money banks. European Journal of Business and Management, 5(9), 51-59.
Abioye, A. O., Kosoko, B. A., and Aremu, M. A. (2022). Improving transparency in financial reporting through technological tools. Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, 11(1), 30-45.
Adegbie, F. F., and Fofah, E. D. (2016). The effect of ethics and corporate governance on financial reporting quality in the Nigerian banking sector. International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, 6(3), 1181-1188.
Adeniji, A. A. (2004). Auditing and investigation. Lagos: Value Analysis Consult, 477p.
Akande, O. O., and Ojo, O. A. (2020). Technological aids adoption for fraud detection by Nigerian banks. Journal of Internet Banking and Commerce, 25(3), 1-21.
Akume, A. T., and Awolowo, O. O. (2018). Forensic accounting techniques for fraud detection: A paper presentation. {Conference Proceedings} 4th International Conference on African Development Issues (CU-ICADI) 2018 - Kwara State University, Nigeria, 73p.
Amara, N., Kabadou, A., and El Kerouane, H. (2013). Detecting fraudulent financial reporting: decision support system design. Accounting and Management Information Systems, 12(2), 279-300.
Center for Audit Quality (2010): Deterring and Detecting Financial Reporting Fraud: A Platform for Action. CAQ, New York, 177p.
Chigozie, C. F., and Essien, E. E. (2021). Impact of ethics training on accountants' ethical judgments: Evidence from Nigeria. Accounting Research Journal, 34(3), 480-494
Chimezie, B. C. (2022). Impact of forensic accounting techniques on fraud prevention. Forensic Research and Accounting Journal, 15(1), 68-81.
Ernst and Young LLP. (n.d.). Fraud examination. 4th Edition. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning, 67p.
Frenkel, M., and Lurie, A. (2003). Fearless optimism: rethinking corporate ethics in the post-Enron era. Business and Society Review, 108(3), 329-346.
Gbegi, D. O., and Adebisi, J. F. (2015). Forensic accounting: A tool for fraud detection and prevention in the public sector. American Journal of Economics, 5(1), 26-35.
Hamilton, J. R., and Gabriel, C. (2012). Financial Fraud and Corruption in Nigeria: Causes and Remedies. IOSR Journal of Business and Management, 4(3), 20-24
Idris, J. B., and Okoro, J. C. (2021). Role of accounting education in shaping accountants' ethical orientation. Forensic Research and Accounting, 13(1), 72-88.
Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN). (2018). Code of professional conduct and guide for members. Lagos, Nigeria: ICAN Publications. 237p.
International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA). (2018). Handbook of the Code of Ethics for Professional Accountants. New York: IFAC, 258p.
Jaiye, O. B., and Odusina, A. T. (2022). Ethical compliance in the Nigerian banking sector: A comparative analysis. Cogent Business and Management, 9(1), 205-249.
James, A. O. (2004). Corporate fraud: handbook on detection and prevention: Mechanisms behind the crime. Ikeja: Malthouse Press Limited, 218p
Javirah, A. (2011). Accounting fraud: Causes, consequences and lessons. Asian Journal of Finance and Accounting, 3(1), 166-192
Martins, O. G., and Adebayo, S. A. (2020). Corporate governance regulations and financial reporting ethics in the Nigerian banking industry. British Journal of Economics, Management and Trade, 28(1), 1-15.
Mock, T.J., Turner, J.L., Headley, D.B., Kohlmeier, J.M., and Erdener, C.B. (2004) "Auditing Cases: An Interactive Learning Approach", 4th Edition, Mason, OH: South-Western Publishers, 444p.
Neringa, V., and Justina, R. (2013). A Forensic Accounting Model for Detecting and Investigating Financial Statement Fraud. Intellectual Economics, 7(1), 14-30.
Nickolas, A. N. (2015). Accounting Fraud: Conducting Financial Statement Fraud Investigations. Hoboken: John Wiley and Sons. 572p.
Nwagboso, G. C. (2008). Accounting ethics: Challenge of ignorance. Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation for Business, 1, 49-57.
Nwaopara, A. U., and Oladele, K. O. (2019). Corporate governance and anti-fraud measures in Nigerian banks. Asian Journal of Finance and Accounting, 11(1), 30-44.
Ogbonna, G. N., and Appah, E. (2011). Ethical theories and their implications for accounting practice. ASSOJIT Publications. 9(1): 67-73
Okafor, G. O., and Ordu, M. E. (2020). Impact of whistle-blowing mechanism on financial statement fraud in Nigerian banks. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 8(8), 388-405.
Okafor, G. O., and Otalor, J. I. (2019). An appraisal of ethical standards awareness and banking operations in Nigeria. Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, 8(1), 1-13.
Okoro, J. C. (2020). Influence of disciplinary actions on members' compliance with accounting ethics standards. Cogent Business and Management, 7(1), 175-188
Okoye, E. I., and Gbegi, D. O. (2013). Forensic accounting and fraud prevention in the public sector of Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 4(7), 91-123
Onaolapo, S. A. (2019). Assessing compliance with accounting ethics standards by external auditors of Nigerian banks. Asian Journal of Economics, Business and Accounting, 9(2), 1-14.
Otalor, J. I., and Eiya, A. C. (2013). An Appraisal of the Underlying Rationales of Accounting Ethics Using the Conceptual Frameworks of Cressey and Rest. European Journal of Business and Social Sciences, 2(3), 49-57.
Oyebisi, T. O., Alada, M. A., and Olayinka, T. O. (2018). Accounting ethics and performance of accounting firms in Nigeria. Accounting, 5(4), 149-155.
Pan, G., Seow, P., S., Suwardy, T., and Gay, G. (2011). Fraud articles in accounting research and practice: A content analysis approach. Journal of Forensic and Investigative Accounting, 3(1), 118-141.
Reynolds, J. K. and Gavagni, R. (2015). Horizons of Corporate Fraud Research. Springer International Publishing. 9(1):66-76.
Sanusi, L. S. (2010). The Nigerian banking industry: what went wrong and the way forward. Convocation Lecture, Bayero University, Kano, 382p
Wolfe, D.T. and Hermanson, D.R. (2004). "The fraud diamond: considering the four elements of fraud." The CPA Journal, 38-42.
Yusuf, A. M., and Mohammed, Z. S. (2021). Ethical perceptions of accountants towards earnings management practices: Evidence from Nigeria. European Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance Research, 9(10), 46-59.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 International Journal of Accounting Intelligence (IJAI)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.