The Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0), which is complementary to the technological revolution, has given birth to Financial Technology (Fintech). Numerous advantages are offered by Fintech, yet the adoption rate is still low. This is especially from the employed fresh graduates’ perspectives that are regarded as the computer literate and IT savvy’s group. This research aims to examine the factors that affect the technology acceptance of Fintech payment services. The research attempts to measure the relationships between performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating condition and consumers’ trust with the adoption of Fintech. Based upon the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the quantitative method was employed via online survey of 179 respondents. The result showed that consumers’ trust had the highest impact on the adoption of Fintech payment services, followed by performance expectancy and effort expectancy. In contrast, facilitating conditions and social influence showed an insignificant relationship with the adoption of Fintech payment services. This finding would enhance the awareness for people to become more open towards the acceptance of Fintech for their daily transactions. Fintech companies are expected to develop into more secure services and design better products in becoming a cashless society. Keywords: UTAUT, consumers’ trust, financial technology, Fintech, Fintech payment services adoption, employed fresh graduates

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine two factors which influence auditor change: audit and client firms\u27 characteristics, for Malaysian listed companies. Given the costs involved, it is important to understand the reasons why companies change their auditor and choose a particular level of audit assurance. Design/methodology/approach - This study evaluates the effects of various independent variables on auditor change behaviour and the sensitivity of results to alternative period measurement by using logistic regression analysis. Findings - An examination of 400 companies listed on the Bursa Malaysia (formerly known as Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange-KLSE) over a period of 18 years reveals auditor change to be significantly influenced by client firm\u27s characteristics, notably changes in management, size of the client firm, complexity, and client\u27s firm growth, lending support to the findings of previous survey studies. Research limitations/implications - In the cause of brevity, a number of potentially important variables, that might enhance an understanding of auditor change behaviour in Malaysia, were not incorporated in the regression models, and might be considered in future studies. Originality/value - The results presented in the paper have important implications for both the auditing profession and regulators in Malaysia

Purpose This paper aims to conduct a comparison on the effectiveness of the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) of Australia and Malaysia in investigating money laundering cases by looking into the legal system and operational issues faced in conducting the investigation. Design/methodology/approach The purpose of this paper is to review and analyze the data collected from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Mutual Evaluation Report, focusing on the information outlined in the third chapter. The legal system and operational issues cover the area of technical compliance and effectiveness compliance, which were introduced in the latest FATF Evaluation Methodology issued in 2013. Findings The results show that both countries have the power needed to investigate money laundering and terrorism financing under their respective Anti-Money Laundering Act. However, Australia is seen to have a better investigative support system to assist LEAs during the investigation process. This explains the reason for difficulties in increasing the number of prosecutions for money laundering and terrorism financing cases. Hence, improvement actions are needed in curbing this issue. Practical implications The result suggests that Malaysia should strengthen the cooperation, coordination and capacity among LEAs to ensure effective targeting, investigation and prosecution of money laundering. The government should also revise the money laundering investigation time frame and broaden the power of LEAs in retrieving information during the investigation process. Malaysia should also enhance the investigative support system, which will be helpful for LEAs in gathering sufficient evidence to support their money laundering charges. Unlimited power in gathering evidence is prominent to charge money launders as it helps to gather information required for prosecution. Originality/value Prior literature focuses on the prevention mechanism, where this paper aims to focus on detection and investigation mechanism focusing on money laundering investigation conducted by LEAs. Lack of study on money laundering investigation calls for this research to be done to understand the strengths and weaknesses to improve its effectiveness in the future.

If you would like to write for this, or any other Emerald publication, then please use our Emerald for Authors service information about how to choose which publication to write for and submission guidelines are available for all. Please visit www.emeraldinsight.com/authors for more information. About Emerald www.emeraldinsight.comEmerald is a global publisher linking research and practice to the benefit of society. The company manages a portfolio of more than 290 journals and over 2,350 books and book series volumes, as well as providing an extensive range of online products and additional customer resources and services.Emerald is both COUNTER 4 and TRANSFER compliant. The organization is a partner of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) and also works with Portico and the LOCKSS initiative for digital archive preservation. AbstractPurpose -The main purpose of this paper is to examine one aspect of auditor-client relationship, namely audit tenure and switching behaviour, and factors affecting it. Lengthy audit tenure with the same client has been cited as one of the threats to auditor independence. Given the importance of this issue, this research attempts to shed some light on the effect of audit tenure and switching behaviour on auditor independence in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach -This study evaluates the effects of various independent variables on switching behaviour and audit tenure using logistic regression analysis. Findings -An examination of 297 companies listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange over a period of 11 years reveals audit firm switching to be significantly associated with distressed large clients and that the length and direction of switch depend upon the type of audit firm. Research limitations/implications -A number of important variables such as corporate governance characteristics, audit and non-audit fees and types of audit opinion that could enhance our understanding of audit tenure and auditor switching in Malaysia, were not incorporated into our regression models. Hence, future studies may consider such variables. Originality/value -This study is the first conducted using Malaysian data where audit tenure and switching are used as dependent variables. The results have important implications on the auditing profession and regulators in Malaysia.

Purpose Malaysia has implemented a comprehensive AML/CFT framework, yet its effectiveness remains questionable due to low number of prosecutions on money laundering cases. Therefore, this study aims to understand the reasons for low number of prosecutions, by addressing the challenges faced by the law enforcement agencies in conducting money laundering investigation. This study then identifies future improvement actions to enhance their effectiveness in combating money laundering in future. Design/methodology/approach This study distributed surveys to the law enforcement agencies that are responsible for conducting money laundering investigation in Malaysia. In total, 65 surveys were distributed; however, only 61 were returned to the researchers. Out of the 61 surveys returned, only 39 can be analysed due to incomplete answers given by respective respondents. Findings The results show that the investigating officers are facing difficulties in gathering sufficient information to support their charges. Besides information gathering, they are also facing difficulties due to short investigation timeframe regulated in the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act (AMLATFPUAA) 2001. This study concludes that, although the law enforcement agencies have the power to investigate money laundering and terrorism financing under the act, Malaysia is lacking in having a good investigative support system to assist the law enforcement agencies during the investigation process. Practical implications The results of this study are helpful to the regulators and law enforcement agencies in determining the flaws of the current money laundering investigation practices. This study also provides suggestions for future improvement action. Originality/value Lack of study focuses on money laundering investigation conducted by the law enforcement agencies, especially in the Malaysian setting, makes the study valuable to the money laundering research.

Purpose Money laundering offences occur worldwide, with recent discussions involving issues related to the low levels of compliance among professional accountants towards the anti-money laundering (AML) regime. Under the regime, professional accountants are required to implement compliance programs (Know Your Customer, Clients Due Diligent, Record Keeping) and to submit any suspicious transaction report encounters to the authorities. Due to the lack of research in this sector, this study aims to examine the compliance determinants towards AML regimes among professional accountants in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach Premised on protection motivation theory, a questionnaire was developed and distributed among 1,100 professional accountants. Of which 275 questionnaires were returned and subjected to regression analysis. Findings Based on the findings, “perceived risk of non-compliance” and “awareness of Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001 and Financial Action Task Force standard” were significantly related to the level of compliance towards the AML regimes. Meanwhile, “compliance cost” did not influence the compliance behaviour of professional accountants. Moreover, the findings demonstrated that awareness programs among the reporting institutions should be enhanced, specifically the professional accountants. Practical implications This study recommends the professional bodies particularly professional accountants in Malaysia to establish a blueprint as a guideline for money laundering reporting. Originality/value This is one of the pioneer studies looking into AML compliance determinants among the professional accountants in Malaysia. This study will provide insights on the current practices and recommend ways to improve the current AML reporting practices among the professional accountants.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of ethnicity on auditor choice for Malaysian listed companies. Design/methodology/approach - This study evaluates the effects of various independent variables on auditor choice behaviour, particularly ethnicity of auditor and ethnicity of management, using a logistic regression analysis approach for 300 companies listed on the Bursa Malaysia (formerly known as Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange-KLSE) over an 18 year period. Findings - Auditor choice is shown to be significantly influenced by client firm\u27s characteristics, notably changes in management, complexity, and financial risk, lending support to the findings of previous survey studies. Ethnicity was found to be a significant factor influencing auditor choice only for auditor switches between non-Big 4 and Big 4 firms. Research limitations/implications - A number of important variables such as corporate governance characteristics, audit fees, client size, and growth that might enhance an understanding of auditor choice behaviour in Malaysia were not incorporated in the regression models, and might be considered in future studies. Originality/value - The results presented in the paper have important implications for both the auditing profession and regulators in Malaysia

Purpose This paper aims to provide a systematic literature review (SLR) on contemporary cardinal money mule issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews the most common money mule themes in perpetrating financial crime activities, especially its roles, recruitment and awareness. A systematic review protocol called preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols is adopted for this study. Findings Money mules are used by organized criminal groups (OCG) or fraudster to launder illicit funds from outrageous criminal activities. They allow their accounts to be used for money laundering by OCG. The attacker, OCG or fraudsters would layer the stolen funds using money mule accounts. These money mules are recruited using various approaches, oftentimes deceived by opulent lifestyles to captivate the interest of potential money mules. Originality/value This paper presents money mule awareness needed by accountant, bank employees and the society. It is an unprecedented SLR on money mule. This paper will be beneficial for future money mule researchers, enforcement agencies and practitioners in banking industry.