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Chapter 4: Auditing Information Technology Using Computer-Assisted Audit Tools and Techniques

Chapter 4: Auditing Information Technology Using Computer-Assisted Audit Tools and Techniques. MBAD 7090. Objectives. Audit Productivity Tools Computer-Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs) Computer Forensics Methods and Techniques. Benefits of Audit Automation. Risk Assessment.

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Chapter 4: Auditing Information Technology Using Computer-Assisted Audit Tools and Techniques

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  1. Chapter 4:Auditing Information Technology Using Computer-Assisted Audit Tools and Techniques IS Security, Audit, and Control (Dr. Zhao) MBAD 7090

  2. Objectives • Audit Productivity Tools • Computer-Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs) • Computer Forensics Methods and Techniques IS Security, Audit, and Control (Dr. Zhao)

  3. Benefits of Audit Automation Risk Assessment • Increase audit productivity and coverage • Provide responsiveness to the change • Enhance service quality by having a standard set of audit tools and procedures • Better knowledge management Audit Schedule Reporting Audit Results Budget IS Security, Audit, and Control (Dr. Zhao) Audit Program Analysis Audit Tests

  4. Use of software tools • Two categories • Audit productivity tools: automate the audit function and integrate information gathered • Computer-assisted audit tools (CAATs): tools for substantive audit tests such as data and control evaluation • Appropriate use and application of CAATTs relies on appropriate training, sharing of experiences, and supervision. IS Security, Audit, and Control (Dr. Zhao)

  5. Audit productivity tools • Planning and tracking audit activities • Spreadsheets or project management tools • Documentation and presentations • Word, PowerPoint, flowcharting, etc. • Communications • Data management • A central knowledge base, a central repository of historical data • Groupware • For distributed workforces • Information sharing & individual customization • Document-oriented databases • Example: Lotus Notes IS Security, Audit, and Control (Dr. Zhao)

  6. CAATs • Validate the process • Test for the existence and execution of computer controls at all levels • Gather information and data from production cycles • Support audit findings • Gather evidence • Examples: • Audit Command Language (ACL) • Interactive Data Extraction and Analysis (IDEA) IS Security, Audit, and Control (Dr. Zhao)

  7. Application Testing • Submit a set of test data that will produce known results • Both valid and invalid transactions • Parallel simulation • A copy of original program • Reperformthe logic of the application • Could partially duplicate the application logic to test key functions • Continuous monitoring • Extract anomalies in real time IS Security, Audit, and Control (Dr. Zhao)

  8. Sampling • Judgmental sampling • Select the sample based on the auditor’s experience • Item of audit interests • Specify criteria based on amount, time, region, etc. • Statistical sampling • Random selection • Representative of the population • Various methods • Random number samplings • Cluster sampling IS Security, Audit, and Control (Dr. Zhao)

  9. Data Analysis • Goal: using computers to compare and summarize data • Histogram • Graphical representation • Identify relationships among data • Modeling • Identify trends or patterns for evaluating reasonableness • Comparative analysis • Compare same data at different time periods IS Security, Audit, and Control (Dr. Zhao)

  10. Other CATTS • Transaction tagging: • Follow a selected transaction through the entire application (e.g., Trace function) • Snapshot • Examine selected variables • Check the value before and after a certain process • Integrated test facility • Create a fictitious entity, such as a customer, within the context of the regular application • Process test transaction together with live inputs IS Security, Audit, and Control (Dr. Zhao)

  11. Computer Forensics • Computer criminals become more advanced right along with the technology • Fast developing field • A few rules: • Never work on the original evidence • Establish and maintain a continuing chain of custody • Document everything IS Security, Audit, and Control (Dr. Zhao)

  12. Computer Forensics: Challenges • Advancement of encryption • Maintaining credible certifications and industry standards • More standards need to be developed • Hiding data • Various data storage media • Change file extension • Requires high degree of patience and perseverance • A video IS Security, Audit, and Control (Dr. Zhao)

  13. Case: Holt Valley Hospital Services • Holt Valley Hospital Services, Inc., is a large health care services company that acquired W. Wilson Hospital, an acute-acre hospital, this past year. This is a large facility with a typically long collection cycle for its patients’ accounts receivable. During the annual audit, the “Big Four” auditors supplied a year-end aged accounts receivable trial balance to the internal audit staff. Now, three month later, the internal audit team needs to determine subsequent collections on 22,567 patient accounts. • Q1: What is the audit objective? • Q2: Discuss functions in which use of a computer would be helpful to the auditors in meeting that objectives. IS Security, Audit, and Control (Dr. Zhao)

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