The Effect of Automated Audit on Performance of Auditor in an Organization

ABSTRACT

This project investigates the effect of automated audit on the performance of Auditor in the four selected audit firms in Ogun state (Tunji Labode & Co, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Gbemi Shorunke & Co., Chartered Accountants, Isabo-Okeyeke, Abeokuta, SETH Consulting, Isabo, Abeokuta, and Upswing Associates Limited, Asero, Abeokuta, Ogun State). The study adopts a descriptive survey method. The research instrument for data collection was questionnaire. Data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. A total of 80 questionnaires were distributed to the respondents to gathered adequate information. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and simple percentage. Findings revealed that audit automation have positive effect on auditors’ tasks and audit organizations. Also, automation led to changes in audit organisation structures, the increasing adoption of ICT in the audit process has aided auditor’s professional career development. Moreover, findings also revealed that automation skills stand as only one of the numerous requirements that will be considered when recruiting an auditor. It is assumed that a graduate with the requisite intelligence should be able to adapt to the technological environments obtaining in today’s audit profession. The study among others recommends that in the future an assessment of the degree of integration of ICT in audit be carried out. Since structure and interaction are considered both the medium and outcome of each other, a longitudinal study over a period of three to five years is likely to yield a better understanding of the impact of ICT at a particular technological state.

 

Keywords: Audit, Auditor, Organization, Automation, Information Technology.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Front Page       ….……………………………………………………………………           i

Certification    …………………………………………………………………………        ii

Dedication      ……….………….……………………………………………………          iii

Acknowledgement   ………………..…………………………………………………….    iv

Abstract                      ……………………………………………………………………    v

Table of contents        ………………………………………………………………….    vi-viii

List of Tables              …………………………………………………………………..      ix

Chapter One: Introduction

1.1       Background Information        -           -           -           -           -           -                       1

1.2       Purpose of Research               -           -           -           -           -           -                       3

1.3       Objectives of the study           -           -           -           -           -           -                       3

1.4       Research Questions                 -           -           -           -           -           -                       3

1.5       Scope of the Study                 -           -           -           -           -           -                       4

1.6       Significance of the Study       -           -           -           -           -           -                       4

1.8       Conceptual Definitions of Terms        -           -           -           -           -                       4

Chapter Two: Review of Related Literature

2.1 Conceptual Review                       -           -           -           -           -           -                       6

2.1 Drivers and Objectives of Audit Automation      -           -           -           -                       6

2. 2 Audit Automation Change Management                        -           -           -           -                       8

2.3 Formalizing and Reengineering the Audit Program         -           -           -                       10

2.4 Baseline Monitoring (“Baselining”)          -           -           -           -           -                       13

2.5  Architecture of Automated Auditing      -           -           -           -           -                       15

2.6 Handling, Evaluation and Integration of Audit Evidence           -           -           -                       17

2.7 Software for Audit Automation   -           -           -           -           -           -                       18

2.8 Scalability of Audit Automation  -           -           -           -           -           -                       20

2.9 Securing Continuous Auditing     -           -           -           -           -           -                       20

2.3  Theoretical Framework                -           -           -           -           -           -                       22

2.3.1 Structuration Theory                  -           -           -           -           -           -                       22

2.4  Empirical Review             -           -           -           -           -           -           -                       24

Chapter Three: Methodology

3.0       Introduction                -           -           -           -           -           -           -                       27

3.1       Research Design         -           -           -           -           -           -           -                       27

3.2       Population                   -           -           -           -           -           -           -                       27

3.3       Sample and Sampling Technique        -           -           -           -           -                       27

3.4       Research Instrument               -           -           -           -           -           -                       27

3.5       Validating of Instrument        -           -           -           -           -           -                       28

3.6       Method of and Sources of Data Collection    -           -           -           -                       28

3.7       Method of Data Analysis       -           -           -           -           -           -                       28

Chapter Four: Presentation and Analysis of Data

4.0       Introduction    -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -                       29

4.1       Data Presentation        -           -           -           -           -           -           -                       29

4.2       Data Analysis and Interpretation        -           -           -           -           -                       29

Chapter Five: Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendations

5.1       Discussion of findings            -           -           -           -           -           -                       36

5.2       Conclusion      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -                       40

5.3       Recommendations      -           -           -           -           -           -           -                       42

            References      -           -           -           -           -           -           -           -                       43