FORENSIC ACCOUNTING: AN OVERVIEW IN INDIAN CONTEXT

Abstract

The rudiments objective of GAAP states that the financial statements must depict ‘true and fair’ view of the financial state of affairs. The ambivalence of ‘true and fair’ view created a dodge towards the rise of financial frauds, thereby wearying the trust of the users of financial information on the reported statements. Forensic accounting as new area of accounting in India has come to limelight recently due to quick increase in white collar crimes, financial crimes, cyber-crimes and growing complexities of the corporate environment. Forensic accounting is the triple practice that integrates accounting, auditing and investigative skills to conduct an examination into a company’s financial statements. The object of this study is to know the detailed conceptual clarity regarding the term Forensic Accounting. The study covered the necessary information regarding knowing the term Forensic Accounting, its definition, characteristics, objectives scope, role of a forensic accounting investigator and modus operandi (Techniques). It also covered differentiating points among the accounting, audit & forensic accounting. More over the well-known case of fraud has also been taken in the study. The data was collected to understand the objectives of forensic accounting and challenges faced by forensic investigators while examining various cases. The research largely makes use of secondary sources of data and the previous literature on forensic accounting, along with the experts’ views on the same. There is an urgent need to regularize the forensic accounting movement by the government and recognized accounting bodies in India.