IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/ijoais/v56y2025ics1467089525000065.html

When auditing Meets Blockchain: A study on applying blockchain smart contracts in auditing

Author

Listed:
  • Guo, Xiaoli
  • Zuo, Yanjun
  • Li, Dong

Abstract

Blockchain’s decentralized characteristics have posed unique challenges and unlocked novel opportunities for the accounting and auditing sector. While the potential impact of blockchain and smart contracts on auditing has been raised, comprehensive studies remain scarce. Using the Solidity language, this study explores the viability of encoding into smart contracts specific auditing rules that can automatically identify suspicious transactions in common fraud schemes. To illustrate the feasibility, it presents a proof-of-concept framework encompassing system architecture, smart contract development, and workflow procedures. Simulation results demonstrate that blockchain-based smart contract approach in this study can effectively identify problematic transactions in near real-time. Consequently, this could help auditors to allocate audit resources to focus efforts on higher risk transactions. The findings provide implications for future studies on the application of smart contracts in auditing.

Suggested Citation

  • Guo, Xiaoli & Zuo, Yanjun & Li, Dong, 2025. "When auditing Meets Blockchain: A study on applying blockchain smart contracts in auditing," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ijoais:v:56:y:2025:i:c:s1467089525000065
    DOI: 10.1016/j.accinf.2025.100730
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1467089525000065
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.accinf.2025.100730?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

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vincent, Nishani Edirisinghe & Skjellum, Anthony & Medury, Sai, 2020. "Blockchain architecture: A design that helps CPA firms leverage the technology," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 38(C).
    2. Boon Seng Tan & Kin Yew Low, 2019. "Blockchain as the Database Engine in the Accounting System," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 29(2), pages 312-318, June.
    3. Geerts, Guido L., 2011. "A design science research methodology and its application to accounting information systems research," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 142-151.
    4. David Yermack, 2017. "Corporate Governance and Blockchains," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 21(1), pages 7-31.
    5. repec:eme:jal000:j.acclit.2013.10.002 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. Carvalho, Arthur & Merhout, Jeffrey W. & Kadiyala, Yogesh & Bentley II, John, 2021. "When good blocks go bad: Managing unwanted blockchain data," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    7. Stephanie F. Cheng & Gus De Franco & Haibo Jiang & Pengkai Lin, 2019. "Riding the Blockchain Mania: Public Firms’ Speculative 8-K Disclosures," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 65(12), pages 5901-5913, December.
    8. Lo, Agnes W.Y. & Wong, Raymond M.K. & Firth, Michael, 2010. "Can corporate governance deter management from manipulating earnings? Evidence from related-party sales transactions in China," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 16(2), pages 225-235, April.
    9. Abernathy, John L. & Barnes, Michael & Stefaniak, Chad, 2013. "A summary of 10 years of PCAOB research: What have we learned?," Journal of Accounting Literature, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 30-60.
    10. Han, Hongdan & Shiwakoti, Radha K. & Jarvis, Robin & Mordi, Chima & Botchie, David, 2023. "Accounting and auditing with blockchain technology and artificial Intelligence: A literature review," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 48(C).
    11. Cahill, Daniel & G. Baur, Dirk & (Frank) Liu, Zhangxin & W. Yang, Joey, 2020. "I am a blockchain too: How does the market respond to companies’ interest in blockchain?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    12. Wang, Yunsen & Kogan, Alexander, 2018. "Designing confidentiality-preserving Blockchain-based transaction processing systems," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 30(C), pages 1-18.
    13. Jana Schmitz & Giulia Leoni, 2019. "Accounting and Auditing at the Time of Blockchain Technology: A Research Agenda," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 29(2), pages 331-342, June.
    14. John L. Abernathy & Michael Barnes & Chad Stefaniak, 2013. "A summary of 10 years of PCAOB research: What have we learned?✩," Journal of Accounting Literature, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 32(1), pages 30-60, October.
    15. Cynthia Weiyi Cai, 2021. "Triple‐entry accounting with blockchain: How far have we come?," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(1), pages 71-93, March.
    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. 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).
    2. Han, Hongdan & Shiwakoti, Radha K. & Jarvis, Robin & Mordi, Chima & Botchie, David, 2023. "Accounting and auditing with blockchain technology and artificial Intelligence: A literature review," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 48(C).
    3. DONÈšU Adelina - Nicoleta, 2024. "Blockchain Technologyand The Accounting Profession.A Structured Literature Review.," Annales Universitatis Apulensis Series Oeconomica, Faculty of Sciences, "1 Decembrie 1918" University, Alba Iulia, vol. 2(26), pages 1-1.
    4. Diego Valentinetti & Michele A. Rea, 2022. "Blockchain e bilancio di esercizio: verso una convergenza di interessi "distribuita"?," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(2), pages 15-40.
    5. Autore, Donald & Chen, Huimin (Amy) & Clarke, Nicholas & Lin, Jingrong, 2024. "Blockchain and earnings management: Evidence from the supply chain," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(4).
    6. Shayan Eskandari & Leid Zejnilovic & Jeremy Clark, 2026. "Auditing Blockchain Innovations: Technical Challenges Beyond Traditional Finance," Papers 2603.26361, arXiv.org.
    7. de Villiers, Charl & Kuruppu, Sanjaya & Dissanayake, Dinithi, 2021. "A (new) role for business – Promoting the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through the internet-of-things and blockchain technology," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 598-609.
    8. Maria Cadiz Dyball & Ravi Seethamraju, 2025. "Blockchain: Exploring its Impact on the Business Models of Australian Accounting Firms," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 27(2), pages 429-448, April.
    9. 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.
    10. Liu, Zihao & Wu, Huaping, 2025. "A framework for dynamic blockchain-based data auditing," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    11. Wang, Kaike & Zhang, Xin & Wang, Shuhong, 2024. "Blockchain technology concerns and corporate financial risk prevention—A quasi-natural experiment for Chinese listed A-share companies," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 1496-1512.
    12. Rosanna Span? & Maurizio Massaro & Adele Caldarelli & Carlo Bagnoli, 2023. "Blockchain implications for the accounting realm: A critique of extant studies," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2023(1), pages 21-42.
    13. Erica Pimentel & Emilio Boulianne, 2020. "Blockchain in Accounting Research and Practice: Current Trends and Future Opportunities," Accounting Perspectives, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(4), pages 325-361, December.
    14. Bin Fang & Xinming Liu & Chen Ma & Yusang Zhuo, 2023. "Blockchain technology adoption and accounting information quality," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(4), pages 4125-4156, December.
    15. Jia, Boxiang & Lucey, Brian & Shen, Dehua, 2026. "Market reaction to blockchain news: The role of digital transformation," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    16. Benedikt Franke & Qi Gao Fritz & André Stenzel, 2024. "The (Limited) Power of Blockchain Networks for Information Provision," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 70(2), pages 971-990, February.
    17. Paolo Pietro Biancone & Valerio Brescia & Michele Oppioli & Ginevra Degregori, 2025. "Harnessing Blockchain for Sustainable Business Strategy: A Case Study on Enhancing Accounting Practices," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(8), pages 10533-10550, December.
    18. Lyu, Xiaoqi & Huo, Baofeng & Tian, Min, 2025. "The effect of blockchain implementation on supply chain disputes," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 288(C).
    19. Nguyen Phu Giang & Hoang Thi Tam, 2023. "Impacts of Blockchain on Accounting in the Business," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    20. Cahill, Daniel & Liu, Zhangxin (Frank), 2021. "Limitations of imitation: Lessons from another Bitcoin copycat," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:56:y:2025:i:c:s1467089525000065. 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.