Abstract
At first glance the application of digital analysis using Benford's Law holds great promise as a fraud detection process. However, a closer look at the underlying statistical assumptions reveals that auditors seeking to use Benford's Law must be aware of the costs of the potential Type I errors that can occur during the analysis stage. For example, statistical considerations indicate that there is a far greater chance of making a Type I error if the Benford's Law analysis is completed on a “digit-by-digit” basis, as compared to the “test-by-test” basis typically employed by statisticians. In this paper, we explain the merits of each choice in terms of statistical concepts and practical audit process considerations.
Publisher
American Accounting Association
Subject
Economics and Econometrics,Finance,Accounting
Cited by
44 articles.
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