Main Article Content
Abstract
This study explores the transformative impact of advanced technologies—blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics—on the auditing profession, examining their benefits, challenges, and implications for auditing standards and practices. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with audit professionals to gather comprehensive data on the integration and impact of these technologies in auditing. The findings reveal that blockchain enhances transparency and security, AI improves data analysis accuracy and risk assessment, and big data analytics provides deeper operational insights. However, these technologies also present challenges, including ethical concerns, the need for robust governance frameworks, and significant changes to workflows and skill requirements. Updated auditing standards and regulatory frameworks are crucial for effective technology integration. The study suggests actionable strategies for auditing firms to invest in advanced technologies, train auditors, and develop governance frameworks. These advancements can significantly enhance audit quality and reliability, shaping the future of auditing in an increasingly digital environment.
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References
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- Atayah, O. F. (2021). Integrating AI in auditing: A framework for ethical considerations. Journal of Business Ethics, 169(2), 203-219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04221-1
- Brown, N. C., Crowley, R. M., & Elliott, W. B. (2020). What are the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for auditors? Current Issues in Auditing, 14(2), A1-A6. https://doi.org/10.2308/ciia-52637
- Cao, M., Chychyla, R., & Stewart, T. (2015). Big data analytics in financial statement audits. Accounting Horizons, 29(2), 423-429. https://doi.org/10.2308/acch-51084
- Christ, M. H., & Nicolaou, A. I. (2016). The impact of enterprise systems on corporate sustainability: A business analytics perspective. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 22, 35-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accinf.2016.06.002
- Cocco, L., Pinna, A., & Marchesi, M. (2017). Banking on blockchain: Costs savings thanks to the blockchain technology. Future Internet, 9(3), 25. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi9030025
- Cohen, J., Krishnamoorthy, G., & Wright, A. (2019). The future of auditing: Insights and research directions. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 38(1), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.2308/ajpt-52150
- Dai, J., & Vasarhelyi, M. A. (2017). Toward blockchain-based accounting and assurance. Journal of Information Systems, 31(3), 5-21. https://doi.org/10.2308/isys-51804
- Ebirim, S. (2024). The impact of blockchain on audit trails and transparency. Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, 29(1), 23-39. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFRC-03-2022-0025
- Elliott, R. (2022). The evolving role of auditors in a digital world. Journal of Accounting Research, 60(2), 453-478. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-679X.12310
- Gepp, A., Linnenluecke, M. K., O'Neill, T. J., & Smith, T. (2018). Big data in accounting and finance: A review of influential literature and opportunities for future research. Journal of Accounting Literature, 40, 102-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acclit.2018.03.001
- Hermanson, D. R., Smith, J. L., & Stephens, N. M. (2018). How effective are organizations' cybersecurity risk management processes? Current Issues in Auditing, 12(1), A27-A35. https://doi.org/10.2308/ciia-52020
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- Kim, J., Kim, S., & Park, H. (2020). Assessing the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures: A case study approach. Information Systems Journal, 30(2), 283-308. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12266
- Knechel, W. R., Salterio, S., & Kochetova-Kozloski, N. (2017). The integration of information technology and auditing: A look at current practice. Accounting Horizons, 31(4), 95-112. https://doi.org/10.2308/acch-51732
- Nwachukwu, O. (2021). The role of big data analytics in enhancing audit quality. Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 40(2), 100812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccpubpol.2020.100812
- PwC. (2018). 2018 state of the internal audit profession study: Moving at the speed of innovation. Retrieved from https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/audit-assurance/internal-audit/state-of-the-internal-audit-profession-study-2018.html
- Richardson, V. J., Smith, J., & Watson, M. W. (2019). Cybersecurity and the role of the auditor: A guide for practitioners. Journal of Accounting Education, 47, 14-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccedu.2019.05.001
- Sastry, S. (2021). The future of auditing in the age of digital transformation. Journal of Information Systems, 35(3), 93-108. https://doi.org/10.2308/ISYS-18-048
- Schmitz, J., & Leoni, G. (2019). Accounting and auditing at the time of blockchain technology: A research agenda. Australian Accounting Review, 29(2), 331-342. https://doi.org/10.1111/auar.12286
- Smith, J., & Anderson, K. (2021). The role of artificial intelligence in modern auditing: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Auditing and Assurance, 45(3), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaa.2020.103567
- Sun, T., Sun, L., & Strang, K. D. (2018). Multi-disciplinary perspectives on cybersecurity education. Journal of Information Systems Education, 29(1), 35-44. https://www.jise.org/issues/29/1
- Tapscott, D., & Tapscott, A. (2016). Blockchain revolution: How the technology behind bitcoin is changing money, business, and the world. Penguin Random House.
- Vasarhelyi, M. A., Kogan, A., & Tuttle, B. (2019). Big data in accounting: An overview. Accounting Horizons, 29(2), 381-396. https://doi.org/10.2308/acch-51225
- Victoria, A. (2023). Ethical implications of AI in auditing: A critical review. Journal of Business Ethics, 175(4), 567-585. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04867-9
- Vuković, V. (2023). Enhancing audit methodologies through blockchain and AI integration. International Journal of Auditing, 27(1), 105-122. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijau.12209
- Wang, S., & Kogan, A. (2021). Blockchain and its implications for accounting and auditing. Journal of Information Systems, 35(2), 93-114. https://doi.org/10.2308/ISYS-2019-050
- Wüstemann, J. (2020). Technological change and the future of auditing. Journal of Accountancy, 230(4), 28-35. https://doi.org/10.2308/joa-52433
- Yermack, D. (2017). Corporate governance and blockchains. Review of Finance, 21(1), 7-31. https://doi.org/10.1093/rof/rfw074
- Zhang, L., Li, X., & Wang, Y. (2022). Blockchain technology in financial auditing: A comprehensive review. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 33, 100488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accinf.2021.100488
- Zheng, Z., Xie, S., Dai, H., Chen, X., & Wang, H. (2017). An overview of blockchain technology: Architecture, consensus, and future trends. Proceedings of the 2017 IEEE International Congress on Big Data (BigData Congress), 557-564. https://doi.org/10.1109/BigDataCongress.2017.85
- Zhu, Y. (2021). Machine learning and audit efficiency: A cross-industry analysis. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 40(4), 67-89. https://doi.org/10.2308/AJPT-19-081
References
Alles, M. G. (2015). Continuous auditing: The future of auditing. Accounting Horizons, 29(2), 409-427. https://doi.org/10.2308/acch-51007
Atayah, O. F. (2021). Integrating AI in auditing: A framework for ethical considerations. Journal of Business Ethics, 169(2), 203-219. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04221-1
Brown, N. C., Crowley, R. M., & Elliott, W. B. (2020). What are the implications of artificial intelligence (AI) for auditors? Current Issues in Auditing, 14(2), A1-A6. https://doi.org/10.2308/ciia-52637
Cao, M., Chychyla, R., & Stewart, T. (2015). Big data analytics in financial statement audits. Accounting Horizons, 29(2), 423-429. https://doi.org/10.2308/acch-51084
Christ, M. H., & Nicolaou, A. I. (2016). The impact of enterprise systems on corporate sustainability: A business analytics perspective. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 22, 35-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accinf.2016.06.002
Cocco, L., Pinna, A., & Marchesi, M. (2017). Banking on blockchain: Costs savings thanks to the blockchain technology. Future Internet, 9(3), 25. https://doi.org/10.3390/fi9030025
Cohen, J., Krishnamoorthy, G., & Wright, A. (2019). The future of auditing: Insights and research directions. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 38(1), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.2308/ajpt-52150
Dai, J., & Vasarhelyi, M. A. (2017). Toward blockchain-based accounting and assurance. Journal of Information Systems, 31(3), 5-21. https://doi.org/10.2308/isys-51804
Ebirim, S. (2024). The impact of blockchain on audit trails and transparency. Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, 29(1), 23-39. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFRC-03-2022-0025
Elliott, R. (2022). The evolving role of auditors in a digital world. Journal of Accounting Research, 60(2), 453-478. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-679X.12310
Gepp, A., Linnenluecke, M. K., O'Neill, T. J., & Smith, T. (2018). Big data in accounting and finance: A review of influential literature and opportunities for future research. Journal of Accounting Literature, 40, 102-115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acclit.2018.03.001
Hermanson, D. R., Smith, J. L., & Stephens, N. M. (2018). How effective are organizations' cybersecurity risk management processes? Current Issues in Auditing, 12(1), A27-A35. https://doi.org/10.2308/ciia-52020
Jans, M., Alles, M., & Vasarhelyi, M. (2014). The case for process mining in auditing: Sources of value added and areas of application. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 15(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accinf.2014.04.013
Kim, J., Kim, S., & Park, H. (2020). Assessing the effectiveness of cybersecurity measures: A case study approach. Information Systems Journal, 30(2), 283-308. https://doi.org/10.1111/isj.12266
Knechel, W. R., Salterio, S., & Kochetova-Kozloski, N. (2017). The integration of information technology and auditing: A look at current practice. Accounting Horizons, 31(4), 95-112. https://doi.org/10.2308/acch-51732
Nwachukwu, O. (2021). The role of big data analytics in enhancing audit quality. Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 40(2), 100812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccpubpol.2020.100812
PwC. (2018). 2018 state of the internal audit profession study: Moving at the speed of innovation. Retrieved from https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/audit-assurance/internal-audit/state-of-the-internal-audit-profession-study-2018.html
Richardson, V. J., Smith, J., & Watson, M. W. (2019). Cybersecurity and the role of the auditor: A guide for practitioners. Journal of Accounting Education, 47, 14-27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccedu.2019.05.001
Sastry, S. (2021). The future of auditing in the age of digital transformation. Journal of Information Systems, 35(3), 93-108. https://doi.org/10.2308/ISYS-18-048
Schmitz, J., & Leoni, G. (2019). Accounting and auditing at the time of blockchain technology: A research agenda. Australian Accounting Review, 29(2), 331-342. https://doi.org/10.1111/auar.12286
Smith, J., & Anderson, K. (2021). The role of artificial intelligence in modern auditing: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Auditing and Assurance, 45(3), 123-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaa.2020.103567
Sun, T., Sun, L., & Strang, K. D. (2018). Multi-disciplinary perspectives on cybersecurity education. Journal of Information Systems Education, 29(1), 35-44. https://www.jise.org/issues/29/1
Tapscott, D., & Tapscott, A. (2016). Blockchain revolution: How the technology behind bitcoin is changing money, business, and the world. Penguin Random House.
Vasarhelyi, M. A., Kogan, A., & Tuttle, B. (2019). Big data in accounting: An overview. Accounting Horizons, 29(2), 381-396. https://doi.org/10.2308/acch-51225
Victoria, A. (2023). Ethical implications of AI in auditing: A critical review. Journal of Business Ethics, 175(4), 567-585. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04867-9
Vuković, V. (2023). Enhancing audit methodologies through blockchain and AI integration. International Journal of Auditing, 27(1), 105-122. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijau.12209
Wang, S., & Kogan, A. (2021). Blockchain and its implications for accounting and auditing. Journal of Information Systems, 35(2), 93-114. https://doi.org/10.2308/ISYS-2019-050
Wüstemann, J. (2020). Technological change and the future of auditing. Journal of Accountancy, 230(4), 28-35. https://doi.org/10.2308/joa-52433
Yermack, D. (2017). Corporate governance and blockchains. Review of Finance, 21(1), 7-31. https://doi.org/10.1093/rof/rfw074
Zhang, L., Li, X., & Wang, Y. (2022). Blockchain technology in financial auditing: A comprehensive review. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 33, 100488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accinf.2021.100488
Zheng, Z., Xie, S., Dai, H., Chen, X., & Wang, H. (2017). An overview of blockchain technology: Architecture, consensus, and future trends. Proceedings of the 2017 IEEE International Congress on Big Data (BigData Congress), 557-564. https://doi.org/10.1109/BigDataCongress.2017.85
Zhu, Y. (2021). Machine learning and audit efficiency: A cross-industry analysis. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 40(4), 67-89. https://doi.org/10.2308/AJPT-19-081