The Influence Of Computerized Accounting On Auditing

The implementation of computerized accounting has greatly improved the speed and accuracy of accounting information processing, and provided users with timely and accurate accounting information. It is an unprecedented leap in the history of accounting.

But this leap also has great impact on audit work.

Changes in audit trail

Because accounting computerization has made great changes in audit trail, the audit clues in traditional manual accounting system will be interrupted or even disappeared in the computerization system.

In manual system, from original voucher to bookkeeping voucher, from posting to the preparation of financial statements, every step has written records, all hands are signed, and the audit trail is very clear.

Auditors can proceed to check, reverse or spot checks as required.

However, in the computerized accounting system, the traditional accounting books are missing. Most of the written records disappear, and they are replaced by disk and tape containing accounting information. The information on these magnetic media is in machine readable form and can not be identified by the naked eye.

In addition, from the original data to the computer, to the output of the financial statements, all the accounting processes in the middle are automatically controlled by the computer according to the program instructions, and the traditional audit clues are interrupted and disappeared here.

The traditional auditing method is not entirely applicable to computerized accountants.

In order to effectively audit computerized accounting individuals, we must pay attention to audit requirements in the design and development of computerized accounting system, and leave new audit clues.

For example, we need to keep detailed records of every economic business, instead of leaving only the updated current balance.

Temporary storage files in some systems will be deleted after a certain period of time.

If the audit needs to check these documents, they should be copied for search.

Two. Changes in internal control of accounting system

Modern auditing in the world is based on system, that is, auditors should review and evaluate the internal control of accounting system as a basis for formulating audit plans and deciding the scope of spot checks.

Because of the computerization of accounting system, the original content control of manual accounting system can no longer adapt to the new characteristics of electronic data processing, and can not effectively reduce the specific risks of computerized accounting system.

For example, in computerized accounting system, accounting information processing and storage are highly concentrated on computers, which will separate certain duties in the manual accounting system and control each other's failure.

In order to ensure the safety and reliability of the system and the accuracy and completeness of the accounting information handled and stored in the system, we must consider the characteristics of the computerization system and establish a new internal control for its inherent risks.

In addition to the electronic data processing system, regulations and manual execution procedure control, the internal control procedure is an important feature of computerized accounting information system.

How to identify, research, review and evaluate these new content controls, especially procedural internal controls, is another new question raised by accounting computerization to audit.

The introduction of the No. third auditing standard issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (CPA) points out: "if customers use electronic data processing in their accounting system, regardless of whether the application is simple and complicated, auditors should fully understand the whole system, so that the basic accounting control characteristics of the system can be identified and evaluated.

In the case of more complex applications of electronic data processing, auditors will have expertise in the application of specialized electronic data processing in implementing the necessary audit plan.

Under the condition of computerized accounting, auditors must study the internal control of computerization system and master its examination methods because of the change of internal control.

Auditors should make use of computer aided audit technology to audit the process control.

For the weakness of internal control of computerized accounting information system, auditors should be able to assess their impact and put forward suggestions for improvement to the audited units.

Three. Changes in audit contents

Under the condition of computerized accounting, although the supervisory function of the trial has not changed, the content of audit has changed.

In computerized accounting information system, accounting matters are automatically processed by computer according to program. If the system's application is wrong or is tampered with illegally, the computer will deal with all related accounting matters in the same wrong way according to the given procedure. The system may be unknowingly embedded in the illegal fraud procedure. Criminals can use these corrupt procedures to embezzle the property of a large number of enterprises.

Whether the system is compliant, legal, safe and reliable is directly related to the processing and controlling functions of the computer system.

The characteristics and inherent risks of computerized accounting information system determine that the contents of audit should be increased to examine the functions of computer system processing and control.

Under the condition of computerized accounting, auditors need to spend more time and energy to understand and examine the functions of computer systems, so as to prove the legitimacy, correctness and integrity of their processing, and ensure the safety and reliability of the system.