The Impact of Technology on Auditing: Current and Future Position

This report evaluates the impact of technology on auditing, including current and future positions. It discusses how technology is currently used in auditing, such as CAATs and RPA, and how it will change the face of auditing in the future, including cognitive technology, predictive analytics, and smart digital hubs. The report also explores the changing role of auditors in a future environment and the skills required, such as advanced technological know-how, project management skills, and innovation.

AUDITING (P23001)
1.0 Introduction
With the increased developments in the technological innovations in the fields of
artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics and blockchain technologies, the auditing functions
have significantly enhanced over the years (Issa, Sun, & Vasarhelyi, 2016). There are a few
benefits of the impacts on technology and professional bodies and regulators are increasingly
relying on the various tools and techniques for carrying out the audit functions. Nowadays, the
use of advanced technology in the profession of auditing has been simplified. It is undoubtedly
that auditors can easily manage the work and also enhance their strategic value in the workplace.
Hence, the purpose of writing this report is to further evaluate how and why the role of
technology in auditing may affect the profession in the short and long term.
2.0 How Technology Is Used
2.1 Current Position
The big four firms namely Deloitte, EY, PwC, and KPMG are the biggest service
providers in the auditing and accounting industry. One of the significant attributes of the services
of these large-scale service providers is a large amount of data that needs to compile to assessed,
which leads these entities to embrace innovations continuously (Raphael, 2017). For instance,
KPMG has partnered with International Business Machine (IBM) in the year 2016, in the
adoption of the cognitive techniques towards attaining audit assurance (KPMG , 2018). One of
the key terms that have become the buzzword in the industry is the ‘Know Your Data’ (KYD).
This term has gained more significance over the ‘Know Your Client’ (KYC) in recent years in
the finance and accounting profession. Besides, the emergence of Cloud computing and cloud
storage has opened up previously unimaginable possibilities for data collection and analysis. The
said technologies allow the auditors to collect and analyse broader industry data sets that were
previously beyond the reach.
The technology leads to enhanced efficiency by facilitation of the audit fieldwork through
automation of the time-consuming manual and clerical tasks (Salijeni, Samsonova-Taddei, &
Turley, 2018). An instance of technology is the interface created between the audit client’s

systems to facilitate the automatic transfer of the compile data. Another significant impact is in
the form of improved testing to gain more in-depth insight into the company’s operations.
Currently, Big Four audit firms are using different technologies such as CAATs (“Computer
Assisted Auditing Techniques”). By considering this tool, it can be easy for the auditors to
search from the irregularities from the given data. This further enables the timely and better
analysis of the clients’ trends and risks against industry standards. It is analyzed that CAAT
supports forensic accounting and assist in simplifying the data in the automated form and further
integrate according to their needs.
Thus, it can be stated that many companies are using CAATs for auditing are attaining
benefits related with the simplification of the work concerning the operations of the company
(Miller & Skinner, 2015). Another technology used in audit execution is the Robotic Process
Automation (RPA). The ‘RPA’ commonly is uses for repetitive tasks like revenue and payroll
testing in which it can help auditors to improve productivity, expanding their risk coverage, and
help in address the regulatory compliance burden they are fulfilling in a more cost-effective
manner (PwC, 2015-2019). https://www.pwc.com/sg/en/audit/audit-technology.html
2.2 Future Position
Some of the future trends that may be led in the field of auditing by the increased use of
technology are explained as follows. There is expected to be staffing changes in the form of
increased demand for the skilled auditors, leading to an increase in salaries to attract and retain
experienced, high-level staff. The trends are working in favor of drones, mechanical robots, and
robotic software processes towards the augmentation and assistance and even replacement in
some instances in even the auditing industry. How the development of technologies will affect
the future of the audit remains to be determined. Some predicted that with the help of
technology, future audits will provide a higher level of assurance than today's "reasonable
assurance". By considering the latest technology by the auditors, it is examined that the future
position will offer more benefits to the companies in relation to the overall activities managed in
the competitive market. There are three key areas where technology will change the face of
auditing, namely (i) cognitive technology, (ii) predictive analytics, and (iii) smart digital hubs.

(i) Cognitive technology also stated as Artificial intelligence (AI) which can mine vast
amounts of data and carry out digital analysis of these data in a way that even today audit teams
are unlikely to be able to do. The artificial intelligence possessed with signifies algorithms that
enable it to process substantial data and complicated analysis, for instance, statistical analysis of
large number of data, classify and predict the same values. The algorithms of cognitive
technology enable the software to absorb information, reason, and thought in a human-like
manner. In addition, it also includes the process of machine learning in which when computers
encounter obstacles or unknowns in its work, it can learn, correct, and try new strategies. (ii)
Predictive analytics includes the use of advanced data analysis techniques to predict the future
based on probabilities and may involve other advanced technologies such as ‘AI’ and machine
learning to refine those predictions. Such analysis helps auditors to gain robust understanding
and deeper insight into the business and financial risks of clients based on comparative data
therefore, improves audit quality. Last, another future trend that is emerging on the lines of
financial technological advancement is the introduction of the (iii) smart digital hubs which serve
as “smart platforms,” enabling the auditors to work remote locations, in real time inculcating the
techniques of automation and visualization (Forbes Media LLC, 2018).
Other areas whereby technology will alter the way of auditing would be the blockchain. It
is a foundational concept in the way the data is stored. It refers to a complex system of consensus
and verification to generate a single agreed-upon permanent record (Dai & Vasarhelyi, 2017).
Therefore, with the blockchain approaches the auditors can manage their complex work and also
it will be considered as an effective method. As a result, it helps to maintain the ‘universal entry
bookkeeping where there is sharing of the data with the participants (Nowiński & Kozma, 2017).
In the coming future, advanced technologies will also impact on maintaining
cybersecurity. Issues related to cybersecurity that the auditors are facing will be minimized. The
cybersecurity focuses on the protection of networks, systems and also other devices. Hence, it
can be argued that technology can provide an opportunity for the auditors to achieve success for
the long term as well as for the short term. With the use of the latest technologies, the auditors
have focused towards simplification of the operations. This has helped to maintain a competitive
advantage in the market (Lee, Su, Tsai, Lu, & Dong, 2016).

3. The changing role of an auditor in a future environment.
Given the tremendous opportunities that technology has offered the field of auditing and
assurance, it then follows that the auditor’s role must change from that of risk assurance to an
equal partner in the business. If the business is changing due to disruption brought about by
digitising many of the processes ,the audit has to conform by being ahead of the digital curve. It
is critical for the auditor to be digitally mature and ready for disruption. ("Is Internal Audit
Ready for Disruptive Innovation? | Protiviti - United States", 2019) The expectation is that
technology will free time spent on sampling and testing. The time freed should be used on value
addition. This will be mainly on interpreting the data and insights and evaluate on how best the
data can be used to add value to business. This is over and above the role of risk assurance. The
auditor will have insights from predictive analytics. The information that can be mined from “big
data” can be priceless. The auditor is well placed to advise the business on trends in the industry,
opportunities that can be exploited with the current environment and pitfalls of continuing with
identified products and processes. The auditor will be involved in strategy and planning. When
the auditor is involved in the planning process for an organisation, they may make a company
avoid costly mistakes due to oversight or lack of forward thinking. The auditor will have been
involved in the onset and walked the journey as opposed to coming months later when the
projects have been concluded. The auditor will have to well aware of the vision of the company
as well as the journey the organisation is taking to achieve that vision.
The view of the auditor is as that of an outsider. However, with insights offered by
technology, the auditor can participate in some decision-making processes of the organisations.
The auditor would offer an outside view which may improve the output from decisions made.
The auditor role then would change to that of a collaborator. The auditor can offer critique of the
decisions made and even the decision-making process itself. This level of engagement can add
value to decisions made in an organisation.
The auditor will also have to be a champion for modernising the organisation systems and
processes. The auditor may have advanced skills than the organisation they are auditing. The
auditor role will be to champion for dismantling of legacy systems. Such legacy systems may not
be fit for the organisation in the long run, even when they are serving the current purpose at the
time of audit (Sisco, R,2018). It is very important for an auditor to stress on the importance of

adopting latest technologies and systems as a survival tactic. The fact that an organisation is
performing well but has legacy processes and systems means that the going concern of the
organisation may be at risk. Evaluating the going concern for the organisation based on legacy
systems may seem far-fetched, but that is an indication that the organisation may not respond in
a timely manner to disruptions which will happen. That disruptions will come is question of
when and not if.
4. Issue of skills required by an auditor in a future environment.
The skills set required in such a future state will be more on advanced technological know-
how of systems and process work in a fully digitised system. The auditor must be hands on
emerging technology trends where transactions are being concluded in the social media space,
sometimes without intervention of staff. The interaction with clients is impersonal and the
traditional methods of audit trail may not hold. Clients are being profiled for KYC by third
parties through data sharing. This raises questions of the long-time held norms of properly
profiling the clients. Profiling of clients can also be done by the proprietary software. Delivery of
the products and services is also being done through third parties. This disruption of the
traditional methods of operating requires an immediate shift to quickly understand the space and
adapt seamlessly.
The skills set required is being more agile and adaptable to the ever-changing environment
in the digital space. The auditor must quickly map out the risks, appetite and evaluate them
appropriately. Such skills can only be gained if the auditor is operating with an open mind. The
role must move from being a reviewer to an active participant in the organisation processes. That
way, he will be able to appreciate the risks and provide an appropriate plan of testing of those
risks. It follows without saying that the auditor must be forward looking as the changes will be
happening so fast that the auditor may be overwhelmed. The issue of being a collaborator and
engaging in forums that are in touch with technological developments will go a long way in to
equipping the auditor with readiness.
The emerging tools like AI and machine learning means that the audit must be competent
with these tools in as much as they are not in the auditing space (Issa, Sun, & Vasarhelyi, 2016)

This will mean the auditor has to invest in continuous exposure on emerging trends over and
above the traditional auditing continuous tests. The auditors must use these tools to complement
or replace the current auditing tools.
Project management skills are also required as the impact of decisions made will need to be
evaluated from an aggregate level. Such skills will enable the auditor to identify opportunities
and bottlenecks in the decision-making process. An auditor may also be called to deliver on
greenfield projects. In such cases, the auditor will have use a wide variety of skills and learnings
case studies. It is important to note that the role of the auditor will have moved from the
periphery to the centre.
The auditors will need to be innovative in the way they perform the auditing process. The
innovations can then be scaled to solve or improve the organisations. Being innovative can be a
game changer for an organisation as it can give it a competitive edge (Zhang, Dai & Miklos A.
Vasarhelyi, 2019). The innovation into new fields likes analytics and robotics may mean the
auditor will have to adopt new methods of acquiring these skills like through online exams and
joining professional forums.
5.0 Conclusion
All in all, technology has presented tremendous benefits and potential improvement in
future auditing and assurance. In light of the demands and extensive use of technology in global,
corporate, audit, professional and regulatory fields, it is ineluctable that technology will be
continuously developed to facilitate the audit. In the near future, technology is anticipated to
eliminate the necessity for human administrative and vouching procedures of auditing. There is a
possibility to increase productivity with lesser headcount, and it is likely that majority of the
audit of public and private companies will be augmented by cognitive technology in the coming
years (Deloitte, 2019). However, it is clear that the profession is unlikely to reach at a fully
automated audit without human intervention considering that auditor’s knowledge, judgment and
exercise of professional scepticism are not substitutable, at least not in the near term (Deloitte,
xxxx); the cognitive technology is a tool to bring value to audit.

https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/audit/articles/cognitive-technologies-and-audit-
process.html
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