Conclusions
This study surveyed views of Jordanian auditors over the relative importance of 20 fraud risk
factors as indicators of the possibility of financial statement fraud, and the modifications to audit
programmes necessary in the presence of each of these factors. In doing so, views were surveyed
from Jordanian auditors with experience in risk analysis and audit programme design who work for
the 12 largest audit firms in Jordan, 10 of whom have affiliations with international audit firms.
Results showed that almost all fraud risk factors selected were only slightly important or
even unimportant as indicators of possible fraud, with the most important related to the
management style, such as previous fraud allegations and/or violations of laws, and intentional
audit scope restrictions. The least important risk factors were the difficulties and problems in the
client’s financial performance. The perceived importance of the suggested modifications of audit
programmes was largely related to the perceived importance of the risk factor itself. In summary, it
can be argued that audit firms in Jordan meet the requirements of ISA no. 240 in considering fraud
risk factors and responding to their existence to only a limited degree. These findings are relatively
similar to the findings of other studies conducted in Jordan about the consideration of other risks in
auditing (e.g. Abdullatif & Al-Khadash 2010, on consideration of business risks; Thnaibat &
Shunnaq 2006, on assessment of the internal audit function by external auditors).