A Study Into the Challenges and Prospects of Computerized Audit Systems

A Study Into the Challenges and Prospects of Computerized Audit Systems

Project / Seminar Material
Reference ID: PS-13350-TM

DEDICATION

This research material titled “A Study Into the Challenges and Prospects of Computerized Audit Systems” is dedicated to God for his enabling grace, and to all computer enthusiasts who contributed to make life a pleasant experience during my research documentation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I extend my sincere gratitude to all those who contributed to the completion of this project. Special thanks to my Supervisor (Name of your Supervisor), the Head of Department (Name of your HOD), the Lecturers in the department of Accountancy / Accounting, Book Authors and Profound Scholars of existing or related project material on “A Study Into the Challenges and Prospects of Computerized Audit Systems” for their invaluable guidance, support, and expertise throughout the journey.

I am also grateful to your study area (mention any funding organizations, if applicable) for their financial assistance. This research would not have been possible without the encouragement and assistance of some stakeholders (mention any mentors, teachers, or colleagues). Additionally, I would like to acknowledge the understanding and patience of my family and friends during this endeavor. Your unwavering support has been a constant source of motivation. Thank you all for being part of this meaningful endeavor.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRELIMINARY PAGES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

    CHAPTER TWO

    LITERATURE REVIEW

    • 2.1 Introduction
    • 2.2 Conceptual Review
    • 2.3 Theoretical Framework
    • ⋮
    • 2.4 Empirical Studies

    CHAPTER THREE

    RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

    • 3.1 Introduction
    • 3.2 Research Design
    • 3.3 Population of Study
    • 3.4 Sampling and Sampling Technique
    • 3.5 Validation of Research Instrument
    • 3.6 Method of Data Collection
    • 3.7 Method of Data Analysis
    • 3.8 Questionnaire Administration
    • 3.9 Ethical Consideration
    • 3.10 Statistical Analysis

    CHAPTER FOUR

    DATA ANALYSIS, RESULT AND DISCUSSION

    • 4.1 Introduction
    • 4.2 Presentation and Analysis of Data
    • 4.3 Re-statement of Research Questions
    • 4.4 Test of Hypotheses
    • 4.5 Discussion of Findings

    CHAPTER FIVE

    SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

    • 5.1 Introduction
    • 5.2 Summary of Findings
    • 5.3 Conclusion
    • 5.4 Recommendation
    • 5.5 Suggestion for Further Study

    REFERENCES

    APPENDIX A - “QUESTIONNAIRE”

    A Study Into the Challenges and Prospects of Computerized Audit Systems

    CHAPTER ONE

    Introduction

    1.1 Background Of The Study

    Auditing through the computer can be described as accessing, analyzing and reporting the electronic data file in its electronic state with the objective of ensuring that it conforms to operational control requirement according to Joshua Onukagha

    The culmination of the effort of the environment, hardware, software security etc according to Nancy Joy (1977) is the electronic data file and it is this data file that answers important questions (like how is the business faring)?

    Ability to manipulate the data file will obviously mean having the ability to manipulate the gains or losses of the business. Therefore, it is important that the Auditor should get very conversant with auditing through the computer.

    Early computer were the gigantic and complex mainframes, which require programs being vigorously written to interrogate the data files on those mainframe which were only required to prepare the computer use. This proved enough frustration for the Auditor and so the trend was to contact the service of a computer professional to ease the process. This problem continued even in the time of mini-computers,

    When the micro-computers were developed, there was hope for an automated computer audit took because of the simple features of the micro-computers. This equally met with a lot of frustrations. The major reason for this was the difference in data platforms. There were many programming languages (COBOL, FORTRAN, PASCAL, BASIC etc) used in creating data files and each programming languages has its own data platform. To audit the data files made in any of these languages required writing the interrogation tool (i.e. software) in the programming language of the data files. So there were compilation and so it seem as if the Auditor should become a computer professional in order to do the job.

    These were problems facing the Auditor while facing the hassles of understanding file creation and access format which is necessary for reading and analyzing any data file even with a matching tool. Also affecting traditional audit requirement like ensuring competences and verifying the integrity of the data file which are essential for accepting the data file for audit placing between choices of audit samples and reaching out for a wide number of automated and it functions like stratification histogram, etc.
    These problems have been tackled by developing some tools for auditing through the computer.

    There are four main sources of the computer aided auditing techniques and tools (CAATS) that have been developed for the auditors. They are:

    1. Applications (computer program) that creates the data file
    2. Utility programs
    3. Auditor development program
    4. Dedicated CAATS
    …

    CHAPTER TWO

    2.0 Literature Review

    2.1 Introduction

    This chapter focuses on the review of related literature. A literature review includes the current knowledge as well as theoretical and methodological contributions to a particular topic. It documents the state of the art with respect to the topic you are writing. It surveys the literature in the topic selected. In this research work the literature review includes the …

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