Auditing Transformation

This book identifies drivers of transformation of auditing, including regulation, digitalisation, sustainability, and individual auditor characteristics, and discusses how the drivers affect auditing. It provides a holistic perspective, discussing these current and highly relevant themes in depth and ‘one by one’ and also stresses the importance of the temporal dimension, i.e., offering a historical and a present-day perspective. The book covers several different theoretical perspectives when analysing and discussing how the various drivers affect auditors, the audit process, accounting firms, stakeholders and so on. Sweden is used as a setting to study the effects of these drivers of transition. The Swedish experience is generalisable to other European countries, with a Germanic origin currently influenced by Anglo-American ideas of auditing. In addition, Sweden provides a research setting with unique access to empirical data. The monograph is unique in its broad coverage of drivers of transformation, combined with its clear focus on financial auditing. It is informed by a wide range of research approaches, from qualitative interview studies to recently developed machine learning methods. Readers, therefore, benefit from a comprehensive understanding of current changes in the audit industry. This will be a useful reference work for students of accounting and auditing, as well as for audit practitioners, including both auditors and regulators, and for researchers.

This book examines the theoretical, methodological and practical aspects of the transformation of tax audit in the context of innovative development of the economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Throughout the chapters, the authors examine the basics of state tax audit, its institutional aspects, as well as global trends in the transformation of tax audit models in countries in transition to a modern innovative economy. Particular attention is paid to the systematic analysis of the effectiveness of tax audit and the identification of prospects for the development of state audit in the context of integration processes. A conceptual approach to the system of state tax audit based on innovative analysis tools is considered. The book is valuable read for researchers and practitioners in the field of public audit, students and teachers of economic universities.

The main objective of this book is to provide both academics and practitioners with a global vision of the evolution of internal auditing in a fast-changing business landscape driven by digital transformation. Digital transformation has been first associated with the emergence and the development of new technologies (artificial intelligence, blockchain, cloud computing, data analytics, predictive analytics, robotic process automation, IOT, drones etc.). Beyond the technological dimensions, this transformation has several impacts on businesses, organizations and processes and raises several questions for auditing activities. This book explores how digitalization not only has an impact on the audit environment, but also on internal audit practices and methodologies, information technology (IT)/information system (IS) audit, IT governance and risk management. The auditing profession also has to face the same challenges. Auditors should develop new skills. To continue to provide high quality service in such an environment, the methodologies, the process and the tools used for conducting an audit have progressively changed from those applied to the traditional audit. Internal audit, as a key strategic function, must evolve too. Finally, the book also investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on internal auditing. The author highlights the need for a new vision and renewed forecasting tools. The post-COVID-19 business and corporate world has changed. Internal audit, as a key strategic function, must evolve too.

Auditing at the speed of risk requires internal auditors to rethink the way we work. Agile auditing provides a path forward that blends the best elements from agile project management and internal audit best practices. Leaders in internal audit are ready to incorporate an agile audit mindset in their departments, but most of the available resources provide theoretical ideas. Even when outside consultants lead an agile transition, the consultants primarily focus on adding agile ceremonies without addressing the fundamental mindset change required for an agile audit transformation. This book provides a practical guide for audit leaders to follow as a playbook for implementing agile across their department, impacting every facet of the audit lifecycle, and addressing the mental shift required for making a lasting change. Every chapter includes discussion questions to facilitate discourse or just to help you analyze your own department. Next, we look at a typical internal audit department as they attempt the transition from a traditional audit methodology to agile auditing so we can learn from their missteps and successes. The guidance in Agile Audit Transformation and Beyond includes the basics of agile auditing, practical directions for shifting each phase of the audit life cycle, common hurdles faced during the transition, and forward-looking thought leadership on expanding beyond internal audit into agile assurance.

Auditing is constantly and quickly changing due to the continuous evolution of information and communication technologies. As the auditing process is forced to adapt to these changes, issues have arisen that lead to a decrease in the auditing effectiveness and efficiency, leading to a greater dissatisfaction among users. More research is needed to provide effective management and mitigation of the risk associated to organizational transactions and to assign a more reliable and accurate character to the execution of business transactions and processes. Organizational Auditing and Assurance in the Digital Age is an essential reference source that discusses challenges, identifies opportunities, and presents solutions in relation to issues in auditing, information systems auditing, and assurance services and provides best practices for ensuring accountability, accuracy, and transparency. Featuring research on topics such as forensic auditing, financial services, and corporate governance, this book is ideally designed for internal and external auditors, assurance providers, managers, risk managers, academicians, professionals, and students.

Includes four agile implementation case studies that provide a better understanding of agile internal auditing from a practical viewpoint.

This book explores how digital transformation is reshaping the manner in which higher education sectors emerge, work, and evolve and how auditors should respond to this challenging and risky digital audit universe in transforming the higher education system. It serves to help professionals to understand the reality of performing the Chief Audit Executive (CAE) role in today’s evolving business economy, specifically in the higher education sector. It compares and contrasts the stated IIA standards with the challenges and realities auditors may face and provides alternative scenarios to gaining a "seat at the table." This book also provides insight into critical lessons learned when executing the CAE role relevant for digitally transforming universities. The main purpose of this study is to rethink the audit culture in the digital era and reveal the key characteristics that are open for improvement so that digitally transforming universities can be audited according to the higher education standards with a digitally supported value-added audit approach. Based on this approach, the audit culture is reassessed considering the digital university conceptual framework and business model. There are two main points to consider for the digital university work environment: traceability and auditability. In this respect, policy recommendations are made for best practices to achieve value-added digital audits in transforming universities. The book has been written from both the reality and academic perspectives of two experienced authors. Sezer is a past CAE, CEO, and long-term senior internal auditor who has worked in the internal audit role for various listed companies, financial institutions, and government entities. Erman has extensive information technology and university accreditation knowledge in the global higher education sector. This brings a blend of value-added approaches to the readers and speaks to issues about understanding and dealing with audit culture and business evolution in digitally transforming organizations along with the requirements for upholding IIA standards. Geared toward the experienced or new CAE, University Auditing in the Digital Era: Challenges and Lessons for Higher Education Professionals and CAEs can be a tool for all auditors to understand some of the challenges, issues, and potential alternative solutions when executing the role of university auditing. In addition, it can be a valuable reference for university administrators and CIOs, as well as academics and all stakeholders related to the higher education sector.