The Impact of Forensic Accountant Characteristics on Reducing Tax Evasion from the Perspective of External Auditors Working in Audit Firms and Companies in the Republic of Yemen: A Field Study

Abstract

The study aimed to identify and measure the impact of forensic accountant characteristics on reducing tax evasion from the perspective of external auditors working in audit firms and companies in the Republic of Yemen. To achieve the study's objectives, an electronic questionnaire was used as a data collection tool from a population of 384 external auditors in audit firms and companies using a complete enumeration method. The number of retrieved questionnaires was 329, and the number of questionnaires valid for analysis was 260. The data were analyzed using the SPSS, where multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The results of the field study showed a positive impact of forensic accountant characteristics (skills and qualifications) on reducing tax evasion. Skills had a high positive impact on reducing tax evasion, followed by qualifications, especially those holding a CFA certificate. The results also showed no impact of forensic accountant characteristics (experience and behaviors) on reducing tax evasion according to the study population's opinion. The study revealed that the most related dimensions to reducing tax evasion, according to the study population's perspective, are the justifications for tax evasion, followed by tax evasion opportunities, tax evasion capabilities, and then tax evasion pressures. The study recommends the need to establish a specialized professional association concerned with organizing the forensic accounting profession in the Republic of Yemen, adopting the forensic accounting subject within accounting curricula, and activating field training for those performing the duties of forensic accountants.