ACCT305-8 assignment

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American Public University *

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305

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Accounting

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Apr 3, 2024

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1 Audit Techniques and Tools Audit Techniques and Tools American Public University ACCT 305: Accounting Information Systems Dr. Veronica Paz
2 Audit Techniques and Tools Audit Techniques and Tools In today’s business environment, the use of audit techniques and tools are essential for an efficient and effective audit. The first topic discussed is the description of how an auditor would use each of the following audit techniques: Integrated Test Facility (ITF), Parallel Simulation, Embedded Audit Module (EAM), and Generalized Audit Software (GAS). The second topic will use a scenario of a chief executive auditor wanting to purchase a CAAT tool, the auditor is required to generate a report on the following tools: ACL, IDEA, Microsoft Visio, Oversight, and Tableau. This report must include key features of each tool, how they are implemented within the audit, and a recommendation of one or two tools for purchase. The wealth of information pertaining to audit techniques and tools will result in the realization of necessity for auditors to conduct an accurate audit. Techniques The following audit techniques are all examples of auditing through the computer, also called the white-box approach. Auditors must understand the internal logic of the system or application that is being tested. To use this approach, cases of specific knowledge and controls within a system are tested for verification and are created by auditors. Integrated Test Facility (ITF) The advantage of ITF technique allows the auditor and the company to continuously monitor internal processing functions. An auditor using this technique would create a fictitious entity in a database and then perform various tests over the system. The drawback of this technique is that it requires careful planning because the test data and production data must remain separate, which is timely and costly. Parallel Simulation
3 Audit Techniques and Tools The goal of using the parallel simulation is that an auditor can attempt to simulate a company’s processes or main qualities. The auditor generates a computer simulation that processes a past period of actual client data. These simulated results are then compared to the client’s actual results. The advantage of this technique is that an auditor could embed controls within the program. The main disadvantage is being time-consuming to recreate the client’s system. Embedded Audit Module (EAM) Auditors must have adequate knowledge and skills with computer programming to use the EAM technique. The purpose of this approach is to get real-time collections of transactions that can be monitored and analyzed for potential errors. A code is placed in the program that can flag transactions that meet certain criteria. This is valuable to ensure internal controls and can point out potential fraudulent transactions. Generalized Audit Software (GAS) Generalized Audit Software is widely used in the auditing system for statistical analysis of data directly taken from the client to find exceptions. These exceptions are subjected to further testing to determine the likelihood of material misstatements. Tools Chief executive auditor, Mallory Williams is the head of the internal audit department of a southern Texas manufacturing company. She hopes to purchase a CAAT tool to assist her department in conducting internal audit functions. A report that includes the key features, an auditor's implementation of the tools, and the recommendation to purchase one or two tools. The tools to be analyzed and compared are ACL, IDEA, Microsoft Visio, Oversight, and Tableau. ACL
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4 Audit Techniques and Tools The Audit Command Language (ACL) auditing tool is one of the most popular tools used by auditors. ACL is a data extraction and analysis software that detects and prevents fraud, and risk management. It manages projects across the areas of audit, risk, compliance, finance, and IT. The ACL tool manages the flow of audits and finds where fraud may occur and monitors it. IDEA Another popular tool is the Interactive Data Extraction and Analysis (IDEA) software package. The key feature of IDEA is that it can analyze 100% of data quickly and with integrity. An auditor would use this to analyze data about accounts. Microsoft Visio Microsoft Visio is a software application that is used to create professional diagrams and flowcharts to communicate complex data more easily. The software offers the option to create an audit diagram, which documents and analyzes business processes. Microsoft Visio can see where there are potential breakdowns of internal control. Oversight An additional tool that auditors can use is a web-based expense analysis software called Oversight. According to Oversight’s website, “Instead of manually auditing a small sample of past spend, you can automatically analyze 100% of your current spend and see the actions you need to take now” (Oversight n.d.). This analytic software uses AI to find hidden manipulated expenses within accounts. Tableau Tableau software is a business intelligence software that assists “finance professionals' flag suspicious activity, identify fraud, and alert their stakeholders before it’s too late” (Tableau
5 Audit Techniques and Tools n.d.). This software is user-friendly and is used by auditors to share concerning information with upper management and shareholders. Recommendations After considering the available auditing tool options for Mallory Williams and her internal audit department, ACL and Microsoft Visio are the recommended auditing tools for purchasing. ACL will be beneficial because it provides the ability to audit 100% of the data. ACL also develops continuous controls, audit tests, and evaluation of results for a company. The advantages of using ACL will offer auditors the most support for internal audits. Microsoft Visio is also recommended for Mallory Williams to purchase to help her internal audit group be successful. Using Microsoft Visio will enable the internal audit department to create a visual tool for reports and presentations for individuals outside of their auditing department. Microsoft Visio audit diagram offers the easiest method to create and design work-flow processes and inventory management. Mallory Williams and the internal audit department will undoubtedly be successful conducting future internal audits assisted using ACL and Microsoft Visio tools simultaneously. Conclusion Traditional auditing methods present results that are based on a limited sample of data. However, the use of computer-assisted auditing techniques and tools (CAATTs) can examine large data samples or all available data, which can quickly identify potential errors, fraud, and specific risks. The information discussed about the techniques: Integrated Test Facility (ITF), Parallel Simulation, Embedded Audit Module (EAM), and Generalized Audit Software (GAS) prove to be beneficial for an auditor. The provided scenario created much knowledge and comparison of the auditing tools: ACL, IDEA, Microsoft Visio, Oversight, and Tableau and provided a recommendation of which to purchase for an internal auditing department. The use of auditing
6 Audit Techniques and Tools techniques and tools are essential for auditors to provide more analytical results for an efficient and effective audit.
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7 Audit Techniques and Tools References AI Fraud Detection Software & Finance Analytics: Oversight Systems . Oversight. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://www.oversight.com/ Audit, risk, and Compliance Analytics for Finance . Tableau. (n.d.). Retrieved June 22, 2022, from https://www.tableau.com/solutions/finance-risk-analytics