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Continuous auditing for web‐released financial information

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  • Chi‐Chun Chou
  • C. Janie Chang

Abstract

Purpose - The increasing provision of timely financial information through web‐based technology is expected to improve the quality of communication between a company and its stakeholders. However, the information asymmetry problem still exists since almost all “web‐releases” usually remain unaudited. The purpose of this paper is to propose conceptual and technical frameworks of continuous auditing to provide a solution for this problem. This solution could also move the traditional auditing forward to the new e‐auditing generation. Design/methodology/approach - This paper develops a conceptual framework to present why continuous auditing would dominate other auditing approaches in examining web‐based financial information. Using a 3 × 2 × 2 × 1 design, this study compares the economic efficiency of three auditing approaches under the joint‐combination of various disclosure types, materiality perceptions and information environments. A technical framework, the external continuous auditing machine, is derived from the conceptual framework to specify the generic procedures to perform the online control testing and the continuous substantive testing over web‐releases. Findings - Continuous auditing issues are scrutinized both theoretically and technically. Two main conclusions arise. First, the behavior model simulates various information disclosing and auditing environment and argues that the continuous auditing would be the most appropriate approach for web‐releasing assurance. Although the hypothesis derived from that model still needs further empirical supports, the anticipated sustaining is quite reasonable under the emergent web‐release practice. Originality/value - Given the new era of online, real‐time business reporting, constructing a theoretical model and applying it to develop a technical model for implementing continuous audits for web‐releases provide significant contributions to the accounting/auditing professionals as well as researchers.

Suggested Citation

  • Chi‐Chun Chou & C. Janie Chang, 2010. "Continuous auditing for web‐released financial information," Review of Accounting and Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 9(1), pages 4-32, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:rafpps:v:9:y:2010:i:1:p:4-32
    DOI: 10.1108/14757701011019790
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. El-Hussein E. El-Masry & Jacqueline L. Reck, 2008. "Continuous online auditing as a response to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 23(8), pages 779-802, September.
    2. Khaled Hussainey, 2009. "The impact of audit quality on earnings predictability," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 24(4), pages 340-351, April.
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    4. Chambers, Ae & Penman, Sh, 1984. "Timeliness Of Reporting And The Stock-Price Reaction To Earnings Announcements," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(1), pages 21-47.
    5. Datar, Srikant M. & Feltham, Gerald A. & Hughes, John S., 1991. "The role of audits and audit quality in valuing new issues," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 14(1), pages 3-49, March.
    6. Verrecchia, Robert E., 1990. "Information quality and discretionary disclosure," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 12(4), pages 365-380, March.
    7. Ettredge, Mike & Simon, Dan & Smith, David & Stone, Mary, 1994. "Why do companies purchase timely quarterly reviews?," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(2), pages 131-155, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kotb, Amr & Roberts, Clare & Sian, S., 2012. "E-business audit: Advisory jurisdiction or occupational invasion?," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 23(6), pages 468-482.

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