Ach Maulidi, Nanang Shonhadji, Fachruzzaman, Rida Perwita Sari, Dian Anita Nuswantara, Rindang Widuri
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine whether female chief financial officers (CFOs) are associated with the occurrences of financial reporting fraud. This study offers new theoretical and empirical evidence on whether firms with more female CFOs are more (less) likely to engage in financial reporting fraud. Design/methodology/approach: This study is based on a sample of US-listed firms from 2011 to 2021. The authors speculate that female CFOs play a weaker role in the occurrences of financial reporting fraud. So, firms with a proportional number of female CFOs should be less likely to commit financial reporting fraud. Findings: The data provide support for the predictions of this study. This study suggests a negative and significant association between the dummy variables for female CFOs and the occurrences of financial reporting fraud. The authors find that this association is contingent on governance mechanisms [e.g. ownership structure, politically connected CEOs and firms' conditions that do (or do not) invest in a gender-diverse board]. Originality/value: This study offers different perspectives on the impact of female CFOs on the occurrences of financial reporting fraud. The results of this study are distinguishable from prior studies. This study moves the analytical focus from the macro level (gender diversity or female corporate leaders) to the micro level (female CFOs) to understand firms' propensity to commit financial reporting fraud. Additionally, this study is based on factual financial reporting fraud cases, considering the US firms' fraud characteristics. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
Accounting Department, School of Accounting – Master of Accounting, Bina Nusantara University, Jakarta, Indonesia; Accounting Department, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Hayam Wuruk Perbanas, Surabaya, Indonesia; Accounting Department, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Bengkulu, Bengkulu, Indonesia; Accounting Department, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Pembangunan Nasional Veteran Jawa Timur, Surabaya, Indonesia; Accounting Department, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
