Factors that Play a Role in Improving the Efficiency of Continuous Audits using Computer Assisted Audit Techniques in enterprises including healthcare units

Abstract

Internal auditing is a key function of any business enterprise, including healthcare units, being responsible for highlighting and bringing to notice of the upper management a fair evaluation of the organization’s internal control environment. With stakeholder satisfaction, compliance requirements, and value delivery increasingly taking centre stage, it functionally requires many organizations to adopt and implement a continuous auditing solution. Continuous auditing solutions often call for the adoption of various computer-assisted tools and techniques to help get the job done. The usage of these tools and techniques is subject to many different factors. This paper explores some of the factors that play a role in improving the efficiency of continuous audits using such tools and techniques. Auditors widely recognize Computer-assisted auditing techniques (CAATs). However, CAATs are not being used as widely as expected. The technology–organization–environment framework is used to identify and assess the organisational elements that influence CAAT utilisation after adoption. The purpose of this study is to see if using CAATs helps the auditing process. The usage of CAATs by audit firms and audit performance are both moderated by top management commitment. The data for this study was collected from Jordanian audit companies’ auditors. According to the conclusions of the investigation, CAAT adoption is determined by the cost–benefit of technology, company size, preparedness, and competitive pressure. The technical compatibility and complexity of client accounting information systems, on the other hand, appear to have little impact on CAAT utilisation. Top management has a direct impact on audit performance and is a key influencer in how CAATs are used by auditors. However, there is no correlation between audit firm usage of CAATs and audit performance (top management audit firm’s use of CAATs). Furthermore, the adoption of CAATs helps the whole audit process of audit companies.