Audit Expectation Gaps and Forensic Solutions: Trust and Institutional Reform in Emerging Economies

This study examines the perceived efficacy of forensic accounting in addressing the audit expectation gap in Ghana, where statutory audits are often viewed as inadequate for fraud detection and accountability. Drawing on stewardship theory and the fraud triangle, a correlational survey of 400 respondents assessed the influence of audit dissatisfaction, confidence in forensic accounting, and contextual factors such as culture and regulation. Regression results show that forensic accounting is positively associated with improved audit expectations, while statutory audit dissatisfaction and perceived fraud detection gains are significant predictors. Cultural and regulatory factors exert modest direct effects, but no significant moderating influence. The findings suggest that forensic accounting is viewed as a credible alternative, though concerns remain about its institutional integration. The study contributes to audit expectation theory by introducing forensic constructs and contextual variables, and recommends reforms in audit practice, accounting education, and regulatory frameworks to embed forensic accounting in public sector accountability systems.