The Impact of using Blockchain on the Auditing Profession

Abstract

Rapid technological changes cause several challenges for established processes and approaches to the auditing. A special role in this context is assigned to the blockchain as a key driving force in changes in auditing. The aim of the article is to identify the key features of blockchain’s impact on auditing. The research employs economic and statistical methods, namely trend analysis, in-depth semi-structured interviews, assessment of the economic effect to identify the main changes in auditing under the influence of blockchain technologies. The experience of using blockchain was studied through a sample of 27 auditors from Azerbaijan, Israel, and Jordan. The respondents indicated changes in the operational work of auditors (88,9% of respondents) among the main areas of influence of blockchain technologies. The surveyed auditors also consider it necessary to improve auditors’ IT skills under the influence of blockchain (88,9% of respondents). The respondents emphasize the appropriateness to change the audit methodology under the influence of blockchain (77,8% of respondents). The surveyed auditors see the prospect in using real-time auditing (55,6% of respondents) and other higher value-added services (44,4% of respondents). Data from the financial statements of the 4 largest auditing companies were analyzed to determine the economic effect of the impact of blockchain on auditing. It was determined that the average annual growth rate under the basic scenario is 6.9% for 2023-2025, or $72.1 billion on average per company in 2025. The prospects for further research are studying the directions of strategic and operational transformations in auditing because of the influence of blockchain in terms of audit methodology, organizational structure of audit companies.