The Impact of Forensic Auditors in Corporate Governance

Abstract

The incessant financial Fraud resulting to corporate collapse and the failure of the statutory audit to detect and prevent fraudulent activities which had led to the impoverishment of investors had given rise to need for forensic auditor. In view of the above this paper considers the impacts of forensic auditor on corporate governance. The study was a theoretical research which considered the roles of forensic auditors in combating fraudulent activities, distinction of forensic auditor and statutory auditor, characteristic of forensic auditor and impact of forensic auditor on corporate governance. From studies carried out this paper concludes that forensic auditors having improved management accountability, strengthened external auditor’s independence and assisting audit committee members in carrying out their oversight function by providing them assurance on internal audit report have impacted positively to corporate governance, thereby reducing corporate failure and impoverishment of investors.

Keywords: forensic auditor, external auditor, financial fraud, corporate governance.