Content Analysis of Financial Fraud Theories and Providing a Multi-dimension Meta-model of Fraud

The purpose of this study is to examine the evolution of financial fraud theories and presentation of the meta-model of fraud, which explains the financial and non-financial incentives for committing fraud in the form of different models. The problem of research includes the followings: What are the most important motives for committing fraud? Which fraud model can explain the motives for committing fraud in more detail? And what are the results of these models for accountants? This research uses content analysis and meta-analysis techniques for published researches related to fraud in time period of 1950-2017. The findings of the study showed that important fraud model in the 1950s began with "fraud triangle ", which included three dimensions of pressure, opportunity and justification, and the financial problems, the weakness of internal control system, and the unfavorable situation of work were identified as a fraud motive. In the 1980s, personal characteristics and the work environment were identified, and then "person integrity" was introduced. In the 1990s, behavioral factors, especially reputation, subjective norms, and control over tendency, were identified as the motivating factor for managers. In the 2000s, the "individual capabilities" including intelligence, the position, and role of the individual were identified, and cultural and social dimensions were considered. Since 2010, there has been consideration to meta-models. The provided mete-model of this study includes financial and non-financial dimensions and is divided into four general categories of conditions, situational, normative, and human intelligence; each of them can be analyzed in three levels: individual, organizational, and international. Contribution: In this study, the components of fraud triangle and its four components (motivation / pressure, opportunity, orientation / justification and capability) are studied simultaneously and based on it, a comprehensive meta-model was presented.