This research analyzed the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in forensic accounting as tools for the detection of accounting fraud. Through a systematic review of the literature in Scopus under the PRISMA protocol, 76 documents published between 2019 and 2026 were selected and analyzed. The results show that supervised machine learning techniques, assembly methods, deep learning and natural language processing have demonstrated superior capacity to rule-based approaches to detect fraudulent patterns, when quality data and professionals capable of interpreting their results with forensic criteria are available. A recurring finding throughout the corpus is that machine learning models tend to perform better than rule-based approaches in contexts where sufficient quality data is available. Although this advantage is not universal, it depends on the type of fraud analyzed, the design of the model, the evaluation metrics used, and the institutional context of implementation. AI expands the practitioner’s ability to identify anomalous patterns in volumes of information that manual analysis cannot cover. However, significant barriers persist related to data quality, model interpretability, professional resistance to technological updating, and the absence of regulatory frameworks that grant evidentiary validity to algorithmic results. Latin America and Africa show a low investigative production in this field, despite concentrating high levels of vulnerability to financial fraud. The study concludes that the transformation of forensic accounting using AI is a social, institutional and educational process, not exclusively technical, which requires interdisciplinary training, data governance and specific ethical frameworks for the forensic field.

Background Gender diversity in corporate governance has gained increasing relevance due to regulatory changes, investor expectations, and its potential contribution to strategic decision-making and corporate value creation. Despite recent progress, women remain underrepresented on corporate boards. This study analyzes the relationship between female board participation and the financial performance of publicly traded companies in Colombia. Methods A quantitative, descriptive, and explanatory approach was employed. The study focused on Colombian publicly traded companies, particularly those included in the COLCAP index. Board composition and female participation were characterized using corporate and bibliographic sources, while financial and ESG data were obtained from LSEG and Refinitiv. Regression models examined the relationship between female board participation and financial performance, measured through ROA, and ROE, controlling for sales and ESG performance. Results Female participation on corporate boards increased substantially between 2015 and 2024, although significant differences remain across firms and sectors. The energy sector showed comparatively higher levels of female representation. Econometric results indicate a positive and statistically significant relationship between female board participation and ROE, with a correlation coefficient of 0.807 and a coefficient of determination of 65.1%, significant at the 1% level. These findings suggest that gender diversity is associated with improved corporate profitability. Conclusions Female participation on corporate boards is positively associated with financial performance, particularly ROE. Greater gender diversity may strengthen strategic decision-making and contribute to corporate value creation. However, persistent differences across firms and limited female representation in top governance positions indicate that further institutional and corporate efforts are required to achieve substantive gender equality.

Background Sustainability has become an important component of corporate strategy, especially in manufacturing industries. However, the literature has not reached a consensus on the relationship between investments in environmentally friendly forms of production and firm performance. This study examines how sustainability is related to the financial and environmental performance of firms in the Colombian manufacturing industry. Methods This study uses two data sources from the National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia: the Annual Manufacturing Survey and the Industrial Environmental Survey. The analysis focuses on 2018–2019, when detailed information is available on investments in renewable energy self-generation and in forms of production that reduce the consumption of non-renewable energy sources. The empirical strategy is based on fixed-effects regressions and heterogeneity analysis by investment size. Results Investment in sustainable forms of production is associated with both positive and negative aspects of firm performance. Firms investing in sustainability show better outcomes in value added per worker, wages per worker, and productivity. However, they also tend to have lower return on assets and, in some cases, lower sales performance. The results also show heterogeneity by investment size: firms with low investment tend to perform poorly in most measures, while firms with high investment show improvements in several performance indicators. In addition, firms investing in sustainable forms of production tend to have higher energy consumption and higher carbon dioxide emissions per worker. Conclusions The relationship between sustainability and firm performance is heterogeneous and depends on investment size. Although higher investment levels are associated with better financial performance in several dimensions, they are also associated with higher energy use and emissions. These results highlight a tension between financial and environmental performance in the Colombian manufacturing industry.

Background Sustainability has become an important component of corporate strategy, especially in manufacturing industries. However, the literature has not reached a consensus on the relationship between investments in environmentally friendly forms of production and firm performance. This study examines how sustainability is related to the financial and environmental performance of firms in the Colombian manufacturing industry. Methods This study uses two data sources from the National Administrative Department of Statistics of Colombia: the Annual Manufacturing Survey and the Industrial Environmental Survey. The analysis focuses on 2018–2019, when detailed information is available on investments in renewable energy self-generation and in forms of production that reduce the consumption of non-renewable energy sources. The empirical strategy is based on fixed-effects regressions and heterogeneity analysis by investment size. Results Investment in sustainable forms of production is associated with both positive and negative aspects of firm performance. Firms investing in sustainability show better outcomes in value added per worker, wages per worker, and productivity. However, they also tend to have lower return on assets and, in some cases, lower sales performance. The results also show heterogeneity by investment size: firms with low investment tend to perform poorly in most measures, while firms with high investment show improvements in several performance indicators. In addition, firms investing in sustainable forms of production tend to have higher energy consumption and higher carbon dioxide emissions per worker. Conclusions The relationship between sustainability and firm performance is heterogeneous and depends on investment size. Although higher investment levels are associated with better financial performance in several dimensions, they are also associated with higher energy use and emissions. These results highlight a tension between financial and environmental performance in the Colombian manufacturing industry.