Question

What are some common motivations of financial statement fraud examination?

Answer 1

Answer:

To support a high stock price, to support a bond or stock offering, or to increase the company's stock price.

Explanation:

The motivation to publish fraudulent financial statements varies depending on the situation. A common theme in many cases of fraud is the attempt to improve the reported financial information to maintain high stock prices, support bonds or stock quotes, or raise a company's stock price. In many companies that published fraudulent financial statements, senior executives held significant stocks or stock options, and lowering the price of the stock would significantly reduce personal net worth or make worthless options. As a result, senior management had to maintain the high share price and therefore needed high returns to maintain the high share price. Investors value reports that increase profits each year. Indeed, the decline in earnings can significantly lower a company's stock price. Sometimes fraudulent financial reports cause line managers to exaggerate the results to meet the company or other expectations. Sometimes the cost of failure in corporate governance is high, and when it comes to choosing between failure and fraud, some managers quickly turn to fraud.