Forensic Accounting as a Tool for Fraud Prevention in Crisis Periods: A Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Events like pandemics, financial crises, political instability and economic crises tend to weaken the internal control systems of organizations, which increase the chance of fraud. During times of crises, forensic accounting, through its investigative approach, risk assessment and digital tools, serves as a fundamental guideline for organizations. This review employs a systematic literature review by synthesizing 31 articles published between 2020 and 2025 to explore forensic accounting role as a tool for fraud prevention in crisis periods. This study has identified five major themes, which include: forensic tools effectiveness, integration of advanced technologies like AI, organizational and institutional barriers, crisis-specific applications, and emerging trends in governance and education. Findings from the review revealed that forensic accounting supports the prevention and detection of fraud, enhances organizational fraud resilience, and increases transparency; however, its effectiveness varies based on the contextual factors and settings employed. In theory, this review goes beyond the frameworks of preventing fraud through the integration of the Fraud Triangle and Fraud Diamond in crisis periods. In practice, it provides guidance on integrating forensic accounting into governance, compliance, and policy matters. It is recommended for future researchers to adopt a crisis-specific empirical approach, the utilization of technology, and cross-sectoral analyses.