What does a fraud examination primarily aim to uncover?

A fraud examination primarily aims to uncover unlawful activities and discrepancies. This process involves a systematic review and investigation of financial records, transactions, and operations to detect and prove instances of fraud. The focus is on identifying fraudulent behavior, such as embezzlement, bribery, or misappropriation of funds, as well as discrepancies within financial statements that could indicate wrongdoing.

Understanding unlawful activities includes recognizing patterns that diverge from ethical standards and legal compliance, which often require a deeper dive into accounting practices, internal controls, and regulatory adherence. By identifying these unlawful activities, fraud examiners help organizations mitigate risks, enforce policies, and establish corrective measures to prevent future occurrences.

The other options, while relevant in broader business contexts, do not align with the primary objectives of a fraud examination. Employee dissatisfaction, for instance, pertains to human resources and workplace culture rather than financial malfeasance. Market trends are related to economic and competitive analysis, while accounting errors only address mistakes rather than intentional wrongdoing. Thus, focusing on unlawful activities and discrepancies is at the core of fraud examinations.