23. Which of the following is most likely to be considered an indication of possible fraud?
A. The replacement of the management team after a hostile takeover.
B. Rapid turnover of the organization's financial executives.
C. Rapid expansion into new markets.
D. A government audit of the organization's tax returns.
Answer (B) is correct.
REQUIRED: The indication of possible fraud.
DISCUSSION: Even the most effective internal control can sometimes be circumvented, perhaps by collusion of two or more employees. Thus, an auditor must be sensitive to certain conditions that might indicate the existence of fraud, including high personnel turnover. In the case of financial executives, high turnover may suggest a pattern of inflation of profits to obtain bonuses or other benefits, to secure advantages in the marketplace, or to conceal incompetence or rash actions.
Answer (A) is incorrect. The replacement of the management team after a hostile takeover is not unusual.
Answer (C) is incorrect. Rapid expansion into new markets is not unusual.
Answer (D) is incorrect. A government audit of the organization's tax returns is not unusual.