FORENSIC ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL FRAUD DETECTION IN GOMBE STATE MINISTRY OF FINANCE

Abstract

The study was carried out to examine forensic accounting and financial fraud detection in
Gombe state using ministry of finance as a case study. The study employed the survey
research design. Hence, the primary source of data through a questionnaire was used for data
collection using a structured 4-Likert Scale while the data collected were analyzed using
frequency tables, means and Ordinary Least Square analysis. A total of 55 respondents were
purposively administered as the sample size comprising of staff in the ministry of finance,
Gombe state. The hypotheses test was conducted using SPSS v.25. From the responses
obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that forensic accounting has a significant
positive impact on the fraudulent activities in Gombe state ministry. Similarly, Forensic
Accounting was very effective in detecting false presentation of financial statement in Gombe
State Ministry of Finance. Furthermore, forensic accounting in Gombe State ministry of
finance has reduced the presence of fraud. The negative relationship suggests that as forensic
accounting increases, the fraudulent activities decrease. The study therefore recommends that
the Gombe state Government and managements of non-business organizations should
improvise the necessary equipment, software and other technological products that will
assists accountants in forensic accounting activities towards fraud detection.
Keywords: financial fraud detection, financial statements, forensic accounting,
Gombe state ministry of finance