Audit Analytics

This book, using R and RStudio, demonstrates how to render an audit opinion that is legally and statistically defensible; analyze, extract, and manipulate accounting data; build a risk assessment matrix to inform the conduct of a cost-effective audit program; and more. Today, information technology plays a pivotal role in financial control and audit: most financial data is now digitally recorded and dispersed among servers, clouds and networks over which the audited firm has no control. Additionally, a firm’s data—particularly in the case of finance, software, insurance and biotech firms—comprises most of the audited value of the firm. Financial audits are critical mechanisms for ensuring the integrity of information systems and the reporting of organizational finances. They help avoid the abuses that led to passage of legislation such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (1977), and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002). Audit effectiveness has declined over the past two decades, as auditor skillsets have failed to keep up with advances in information technology. Information and communication technology lie at the core of commerce today and are integrated in business processes around the world. This book is designed to meet the increasing need of audit professionals to understand information technology and the controls required to manage it. This 2nd edition includes updated code and test. Machine learning, AI, and SEC’s EDGAR data are also, improved and updated. The material included focuses on the requirements for annual Securities and Exchange Commission audits (10-K) for listed corporations. These represent the benchmark auditing procedures for specialized audits, such as internal, governmental, and attestation audits. Many examples reflect the focus of the 2024 CPA exam, and the data analytics-machine learning approach will be central to the AICPA’s programs, in the near future.

Today, information technology plays a pivotal role in financial control and audit: most financial data is now digitally recorded and dispersed among servers, clouds and networks over which the audited firm has no control. Additionally, a firm’s data—particularly in the case of finance, software, insurance and biotech firms— comprises most of the audited value of the firm. Financial audits are critical mechanisms for ensuring the integrity of information systems and the reporting of organizational finances. They help avoid the abuses that led to passage of legislation such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (1977), and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (2002). Audit effectiveness has declined over the past two decades as auditor skillsets have failed to keep up with advances in information technology. Information and communication technology lie at the core of commerce today and are integrated in business processes around the world. This book is designed to meet the increasing need of audit professionals to understand information technology and the controls required to manage it. The material included focuses on the requirements for annual Securities and Exchange Commission audits (10-K) for listed corporations. These represent the benchmark auditing procedures for specialized audits, such as internal, governmental, and attestation audits. Using R and RStudio, the book demonstrates how to render an audit opinion that is legally and statistically defensible; analyze, extract, and manipulate accounting data; build a risk assessment matrix to inform the conduct of a cost-effective audit program; and more.

Split into six parts, contributors explore ways to integrate Audit Analytics techniques into existing audit programs for the financial industry. Chapters include topics such as fraud risks in the credit card sector, clustering techniques, fraud and anomaly detection, and using Audit Analytics to assess risk in the lawsuit and payment processes.

Designed to facilitate the use of audit data analytics (ADAs) in the financial statement audit, this title was developed by leading experts across the profession and academia. The guide defines audit data analytics as “the science and art of discovering and analyzing patterns, identifying anomalies, and extracting other useful information in data underlying or related to the subject matter of an audit through analysis, modeling, and visualization for planning or performing the audit.” Simply put, ADAs can be used to perform a variety of procedures to gather audit evidence. Each chapter focuses on an audit area and includes step-by-step guidance illustrating how ADAs can be used throughout the financial statement audit. Suggested considerations for assessing the reliability of data are also included in a separate appendix.

The explosion of data analytics in the auditing profession demands a different kind of auditor. Auditing: A Practical Approach with Data Analytics prepares students for the rapidly changing demands of the auditing profession by meeting the data-driven requirements of today’s workforce. Because no two audits are alike, this course uses a practical, case-based approach to help students develop professional judgement, think critically about the auditing process, and develop the decision-making skills necessary to perform a real-world audit. To further prepare students for the profession, this course integrates seamless exam review for successful completion of the CPA Exam.

Split into six parts, contributors explore ways to integrate Audit Analytics techniques into existing audit programs for the financial industry. Chapters include topics such as fraud risks in the credit card sector, clustering techniques, fraud and anomaly detection, and using Audit Analytics to assess risk in the lawsuit and payment processes.

The authors, Arslan Khan and Edward Zimmer, demystify any perceived complexities in establishing a robust analytics control function. They provide a simple process to develop and implement an audit analytics strategy to meet the specific needs of organizations. This book provides practical approaches to using data analytics to enable continuous auditing to monitor the effectiveness of business controls. The authors' experience in developing data analytics that support an Internal Audit function can also be leveraged in other areas of the organization. Through the use of simple examples and practical tips, a framework for developing a sustainable audit analytics strategy is provided. Specific guidance is also provided regarding the talent, processes, and technology needed to move from your current state to the target environment. The business case has moved from "can the organization afford an audit analytics function" to "can an organization afford NOT to have an audit analytics function."

This book examines (1) concentration in the market for public company audits, (2) the potential for smaller accounting firms' growth to ease market concentration, and (3) proposals that have been offered by others for easing concentration and the barriers facing smaller firms in expanding their market shares.