IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/ijoais/v53y2024ics1467089524000095.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Emerging digital technologies and auditing firms: Opportunities and challenges

Author

Listed:
  • Vitali, Sonia
  • Giuliani, Marco

Abstract

This article aims to analyse the impacts of new technologies, namely robotic process automation (RPA) and artificial intelligence (AI), on auditing firms. In particular, we focus on the companies’ everyday activities, organisational structure, hiring practices, and the competitive gap between Big4 and non-Big4 auditing firms. To this end, the article is based on a field study involving 14 auditing companies, both Big4 and non-Big4, from the list provided by Consob. The results reveal auditors’ differing perceptions and opinions regarding the future of auditing firms. According to the first viewpoint, new technologies will have a positive impact on auditors as they will be allowed to focus on value-added activities. Second, some respondents do not expect changes to the traditional structure of the companies due to the application of digital tools, while other auditors hypothesised two different scenarios regarding structural changes. Third, the interviewees contend that auditors of the future should gain IT and data analytics skills, which could affect the hiring practices of these companies. Fourth, regarding the current differences between large and smaller firms, some participants stated that emerging technologies could widen that gap, while some auditors of non-Big4 firms claimed that modern tools offer an opportunity for the smaller companies to slightly reduce the gap. In sum, the findings reveal that, although RPA and AI are not widely used and the impact of these technologies on auditing firms is controversial, multiple changes are on the horizon in this regard.

Suggested Citation

  • Vitali, Sonia & Giuliani, Marco, 2024. "Emerging digital technologies and auditing firms: Opportunities and challenges," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ijoais:v:53:y:2024:i:c:s1467089524000095
    DOI: 10.1016/j.accinf.2024.100676
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1467089524000095
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.accinf.2024.100676?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yang Bao & Bin Ke & Bin Li & Y. Julia Yu & Jie Zhang, 2020. "Detecting Accounting Fraud in Publicly Traded U.S. Firms Using a Machine Learning Approach," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(1), pages 199-235, March.
    2. Aidi Ahmi & Simon Kent, 2013. "The utilisation of generalized audit software (GAS) by external auditors," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 28(2), pages 88-113, January.
    3. Blix, Leslie H. & Edmonds, Mark A. & Sorensen, Kate B., 2021. "How well do audit textbooks currently integrate data analytics," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    4. Anastassia Fedyk & James Hodson & Natalya Khimich & Tatiana Fedyk, 2022. "Is artificial intelligence improving the audit process?," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 938-985, September.
    5. George Salijeni & Anna Samsonova-Taddei & Stuart Turley, 2019. "Big Data and changes in audit technology: contemplating a research agenda," Accounting and Business Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(1), pages 95-119, January.
    6. Michael Kend & Lan Anh Nguyen, 2020. "Big Data Analytics and Other Emerging Technologies: The Impact on the Australian Audit and Assurance Profession," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 30(4), pages 269-282, December.
    7. Frey, Carl Benedikt & Osborne, Michael A., 2017. "The future of employment: How susceptible are jobs to computerisation?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 254-280.
    8. Tiberius, Victor & Hirth, Stefanie, 2019. "Impacts of digitization on auditing: A Delphi study for Germany," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).
    9. repec:eme:aaaj00:aaaj-07-2015-2139 is not listed on IDEAS
    10. Rita Lamboglia & Domenica Lavorato & Eusebio Scornavacca & Stefano Za, 2020. "Exploring the relationship between audit and technology. A bibliometric analysis," Meditari Accountancy Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 29(5), pages 1233-1260, October.
    11. Krieger, Felix & Drews, Paul & Velte, Patrick, 2021. "Explaining the (non-) adoption of advanced data analytics in auditing: A process theory," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    12. Maria Cadiz Dyball & Ravi Seethamraju, 2021. "Client use of blockchain technology: exploring its (potential) impact on financial statement audits of Australian accounting firms," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 35(7), pages 1656-1684, October.
    13. Earley, Christine E., 2015. "Data analytics in auditing: Opportunities and challenges," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 58(5), pages 493-500.
    14. Federica De Santis & Giuseppe D’Onza, 2021. "Big data and data analytics in auditing: in search of legitimacy," Meditari Accountancy Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 29(5), pages 1088-1112, February.
    15. Riadh Manita & Najoua Elommal & Patricia Baudier & Lubica Hikkerova, 2020. "The digital transformation of external audit and its impact on corporate governance," Post-Print hal-04314467, HAL.
    16. Deniz A. Appelbaum & Alex Kogan & Miklos A. Vasarhelyi, 2018. "Analytical procedures in external auditing: A comprehensive literature survey and framework for external audit analytics," Journal of Accounting Literature, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 40(1), pages 83-101, January.
    17. Rindang Widuri & Brendan O’Connell & Prem W.S. Yapa, 2016. "Adopting generalized audit software: an Indonesian perspective," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 31(8/9), pages 821-847, September.
    18. Moll, Jodie & Yigitbasioglu, Ogan, 2019. "The role of internet-related technologies in shaping the work of accountants: New directions for accounting research," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(6).
    19. Huang, Feiqi & Vasarhelyi, Miklos A., 2019. "Applying robotic process automation (RPA) in auditing: A framework," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 35(C).
    20. Felski, Elizabeth, 2023. "Audit technologies used in practice and ways to implement these technologies into audit courses," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    21. Zhang, Chanyuan (Abigail) & Cho, Soohyun & Vasarhelyi, Miklos, 2022. "Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) in auditing," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
    22. Manita, Riadh & Elommal, Najoua & Baudier, Patricia & Hikkerova, Lubica, 2020. "The digital transformation of external audit and its impact on corporate governance," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    23. Ennio Lugli & Federico Bertacchini, 2022. "Audit quality and digitalization: some insights from theItalian context," Meditari Accountancy Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 31(4), pages 841-860, March.
    24. Emma C. Gardner & John R. Bryson, 2021. "The dark side of the industrialisation of accountancy: innovation, commoditization, colonization and competitiveness," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(1), pages 42-57, January.
    25. Alles, Michael & Gray, Glen L., 2016. "Incorporating big data in audits: Identifying inhibitors and a research agenda to address those inhibitors," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 22(C), pages 44-59.
    26. Khaldoon Al-Htaybat & Larissa von Alberti-Alhtaybat, 2017. "Big Data and corporate reporting: impacts and paradoxes," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 30(4), pages 850-873, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ruhnke, Klaus, 2023. "Empirical research frameworks in a changing world: The case of audit data analytics," Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    2. Jean Robert Kala Kamdjoug & Hyacinthe Djanan Sando & Jules Raymond Kala & Arielle Ornela Ndassi Teutio & Sunil Tiwari & Samuel Fosso Wamba, 2024. "Data analytics-based auditing: a case study of fraud detection in the banking context," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 340(2), pages 1161-1188, September.
    3. Afsay, Akram & Tahriri, Arash & Rezaee, Zabihollah, 2023. "A meta-analysis of factors affecting acceptance of information technology in auditing," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    4. Nathanael Betti & Steven DeSimone & Joy Gray, 2022. "The impacts of the use of data analytics and the performance of consulting activities on perceived internal audit quality," Working Papers 2202, College of the Holy Cross, Department of Economics.
    5. Krieger, Felix & Drews, Paul & Velte, Patrick, 2021. "Explaining the (non-) adoption of advanced data analytics in auditing: A process theory," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    6. Francis Aboagye‐Otchere & Cletus Agyenim‐Boateng & Abdulai Enusah & Theodora Ekua Aryee, 2021. "A Review of Big Data Research in Accounting," Intelligent Systems in Accounting, Finance and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(4), pages 268-283, October.
    7. Cebi, Selcuk & Karakurt, Necip Fazıl & Kurtulus, Erkan & Tokgoz, Bunyamin, 2024. "Development of a decision support system for client acceptance in independent audit process," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    8. Alnoor Bhimani, 2020. "Digital data and management accounting: why we need to rethink research methods," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 31(1), pages 9-23, April.
    9. Ravi Seethamraju & Angela Hecimovic, 2023. "Adoption of artificial intelligence in auditing: An exploratory study," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 48(4), pages 780-800, November.
    10. Roy-Ivar Andreassen, 2020. "Digital technology and changing roles: a management accountant’s dream or nightmare?," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 31(3), pages 209-238, September.
    11. Fábio Albuquerque & Paula Gomes Dos Santos, 2023. "Recent Trends in Accounting and Information System Research: A Literature Review Using Textual Analysis Tools," FinTech, MDPI, vol. 2(2), pages 1-27, April.
    12. Booker, Danielle D. & Pelzer, Josette R.E. & Richardson, Jeremy R., 2023. "Integrating data analytics into the auditing curriculum: Insights and perceptions from early-career auditors," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    13. Akter, Mohsina & Kummer, Tyge-F. & Yigitbasioglu, Ogan, 2024. "Looking beyond the hype: The challenges of blockchain adoption in accounting," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    14. Jackson, Denise & Allen, Christina, 2024. "Enablers, barriers and strategies for adopting new technology in accounting," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    15. Anastassia Fedyk & James Hodson & Natalya Khimich & Tatiana Fedyk, 2022. "Is artificial intelligence improving the audit process?," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 938-985, September.
    16. Pizzi, Simone & Venturelli, Andrea & Variale, Michele & Macario, Giuseppe Pio, 2021. "Assessing the impacts of digital transformation on internal auditing: A bibliometric analysis," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    17. Czarnitzki, Dirk & Fernández, Gastón P. & Rammer, Christian, 2023. "Artificial intelligence and firm-level productivity," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 188-205.
    18. Broccardo, Laura & Tenucci, Andrea & Agarwal, Reeti & Alshibani, Safiya Mukhtar, 2024. "Steering digitalization and management control maturity in small and medium enterprises (SMEs)," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 204(C).
    19. Wang, Weilong & Xiao, Deheng & Wang, Jianlong & Wu, Haitao, 2024. "The cost of pollution in the digital era: Impediments of air pollution on enterprise digital transformation," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    20. Ying Wu & Yuanyue Deng, 2024. "Does digital transformation crowd out the employment of lower skill labor?," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 76(3), pages 726-748, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:ijoais:v:53:y:2024:i:c:s1467089524000095. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-accounting-information-systems/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.