The Personality Factor of Conscientiousness on Skills Requirement and Fraud Risk Assessment Performance

Abstract

The study examines the moderation effect of the personality factor of conscientiousness on the relationship between skills (forensic accountant and auditor) and fraud risk assessment task performance in the Jordanian public sector. The forensic accountant skills denote enhanced level of capability purposely required to collect evidence in respect of fraud prevention, detection, deterrence as well as response. Whereas, the auditing standards require auditors to make available realistic guarantees in terms of sufficiency and reliability that the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatements arising from fraud or error. Despite efforts by the government in reducing cases of fraud through a measure of reforms such as the establishment and strengthening of accountability organs and promoting global best practices for corporate organisations, fraud and financial crimes in the public sector of Jordan are still increasing. Hence, this paper develops a conceptual framework to investigate the moderating effect of conscientiousness on skills requirements and fraud risk assessment performance. The study will assist the forensic accountants and auditors working as regulators in the public sector environment concerning fraud prevention, detection, and response. It also creates awareness among accounting information users in the public sector. The paper contributes to the literature on personality factors of conscientiousness, auditing and forensic accounting, enhanced capability skills requirement, and competence (fraud risk assessment performance) by forensic accountants and auditors about fraud prevention, detection, and response in the Jordanian public sector.