Technology in audit engagements: a case study
Abstract
Purpose
The audit of corporations is now dependent on the examination of corporate computer systems. Although tools and techniques have been available for decades, there are major limitations on the audits of corporate systems by external auditors. This paper aims to examine external auditor usage of technology benefiting from a unique opportunity of reviewing a large CPA firm's audit work papers and interviewing their audit staff to examine the following questions: are auditors using the available technological tools? What are the difficulties they face in using these tools? Are there mediators to enhance usability? Why and what circumstances surround their absence?
Design/methodology/approach
The authors use a cross-sectional, case-based field study comparing four engagements in a major audit firm.
Findings
This paper concludes that the characteristics of the audit team largely determine the levels of technology utilization. Furthermore, the integration of technology support teams and auditors may improve usability, and, consequently, increase technology adoption.
Research limitations/implications
The paper includes information about four audit engagements. Given that audit firms have different cultures, practices and employee competencies, and hence emphasize the use of technology to varying degrees, it would be desirable to expand this study to reflect these variations.
Practical implications
The paper presents a discussion of the reasons why auditors do not fully use technology and provide tools to increase its usability.
Originality/value
The paper benefits from a unique opportunity of interviewing audit teams of a large firm, as well as through reviewing their work papers.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
JEL classification – M4The authors appreciate the access given to the audit teams that allowed this research to be undertaken. Some data have been withheld for privacy purposes. The authors thank those who provided comments at a Rutgers Accounting Research forum and several other presentations and in particular the comments of Mr Paul Byrnes.
Citation
A. Vasarhelyi, M. and Romero, S. (2014), "Technology in audit engagements: a case study", Managerial Auditing Journal, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 350-365. https://doi.org/10.1108/MAJ-06-2013-0881
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited