S & L Articles

Thursday, 6 December 2018

• How data analytics is transforming audit
  This article highlights that data analytics is allowing auditors to check much larger amounts of information and focus on areas of risk.

• Harnessing innovative technologies to advance audit quality
  This article highlights that auditors must respond to the fast-moving, digitally enabled and fiercely competitive global economy by incorporating innovative technologies.

Thursday, 1 November 2018

• IFAC TAG webinar on data analytics
  This webinar provides insights on how data analytics is being applied in business and the profession, including the skills and competencies required.

• Episode 64 of 'Profession in Focus' features EY's Scott Zimmerman
  In this recording, Zimmerman discusses data analytics, artificial intelligence, and the skillsets and mindsets that auditors will need in a profession facing disruption and transformative change.

Thursday, 4 October 2018

• How robotic process automation is transforming accounting and auditing This article provides an overview of the ways in which robotic process automation may change how the profession operates.

• Cybersecurity risk: Time for auditors to take heed? This article demonstrates how cybersecurity risk is an essential consideration in any financial statements audit.

Thursday, 5 April 2018

• How can practices gain a competitive edge in the AI era? This article provides an overview of how practices can ensure that they get ahead of the competition in delivering services to clients in the AI era.

• RegTech will help transform audit In this recording, Liv Watson highlights that RegTech will allow for audit analytics during the entire year, and a more trusted audit.

• Auditing in the future: Highlights from the CPA Canada and ICAS symposium CPA Canada and ICAS hosted a conference with North American stakeholders to discuss auditing in the future.

• How blockchain might affect audit and assurance This article highlights that although emerging blockchain technology may significantly change financial statement auditing, accounting professionals will continue carrying an important role in the audit.

Thursday, 01 March 2018

• Why Is Blockchain suddenly so hot? This article highlights why corporate treasury departments are embracing the distributed-ledger technology.

Thursday, 1 February 2018

• IAASB - feedback on exploring the growing use of technology in the audit This article provides an overview of the feedback statement issued by the IAASB's DAWG to inform stakeholders of the outcome of their outreach activities.
• ISACA issues new audit and assurance programme on CIS controls This audit programme takes a high-level approach to providing assurance and focuses on the critical role of the cybersecurity auditor responsible for evaluating the company's cyber readiness.
• Podcast: Evolving with blockchain In this podcast, Ron Quaranta of the Wall Street Blockchain Alliance and Erik Asgeirsson of CPA.com discuss how blockchain offers tremendous opportunities for accountants.

Thursday, 18 January 2018

• Feedback Statement - exploring the growing use of technology in audit, with a focus on data analytics The IAASB Feedback Statement provides an overview of the responses to the questions asked in the September 2016 Request for Input.

Thursday, 07 December 2017

• Blockchain, AI, and Accounting Blockchain technology, although most well-known for cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, is forecasted to have wide-ranging implications for how data is secured, transmitted, and protected.

Thursday, 09 November 2017

• Will external audits vanish in the Blockchain world?  In this article R Vittal Raj, Partner, Kumar & Raj Chartered Accountants discusses Blockchain and the external audit.
• Webcast: Blockchain will impact accounting Rich de Moll, Vice President, Blockchain Solutions for Finance IBM, discusses how the technology will allow accountants and auditors the ability to trust the data Blockchain provides.
• Webcast: Enhancing audit with technology Jenni Huotari, Partner, Eide Bailly describes that technology can enhance audit efficiency and quality, and improve risk identification.
• PCAOB's Franzel leans toward issuing Blockchain and data analytics guidance The PCAOB is likely to issue guidance on the use of Blockchain and data analytics technology as more auditing firms weigh the benefits and drawbacks of them.

Thursday, 12 October 2017

• Blockchain will transform Audit - get ready now In this recording Jim Bourke, Director of Firm Technology, Withum+ describes that blockchain will have a significant impact on audit.
• Audit Data Analytics Alert: ADA Survey on ADAs in Canada–Results and Implications This article highlights the results of survey commissioned by CPA Canada to understand how Canadian auditors are using ADAs in performing financial statement audits.
• Accountants, skills and cybersecurity Webcast relating to how accountants' skills can be used in cybersecurity

Thursday, 14 September 2017

• Technology Transforming Audit In this video recording Sue Almond, Head of Audit & Assurance and Partner at Grant Thornton highlights how technology enhances work quality from client acceptance through to risk assessments.
• Ethics and trust in a digital age This article describes that strong ethical behaviour will become more important in the evolving digital age and is a key enabler to building trust.

Thursday, 10 August 2017

• Auditors face evolving cybersecurity challenges This article highlights that as cybercrime evolves and become more threatening, auditors need to up their game by adopting an intelligence-led approach to cybersecurity

Thursday, 13 July 2017

• Audit data analytics: An optimistic outlook In this article, Anne Adrain, Head of Sustainability and Assurance, ICAS summarises five opportunities that might emerge for the audit profession
• Digital Technologies' Implications for SMPs In this article Paul Thompson, Director, European Federation of Accountants and Auditors for SMEs, examines how emerging technologies might impact the professional services sector.
• ISACA Research Report: Blockchain Fundamentals ISACA Research Report on Blockchain Fundamentals is available on ISACA website. 
• ISACA Guidance: How to Navigate Blockchain - The Technology That Could Change Everything  New guidance from ISACA shows how blockchain, the foundational technology behind Bitcoin has the power to become a major force for innovation and change across several industries.

Thursday, 08 June 2017

• Data & Analytics and Audit - a powerful connection In this article Peter Russell, Australian National Head of Audit Data & Analytics, KPMG highlights that as audit delves into data to bring even greater assurance to organisations and markets, it can also bring attention to performance, risk and regulation issues.
• CPA Canada - Audit data analytics alert: Talking to your audit clients about data analytics This alert outlines how auditors may engage in productive dialogue with their clients to promote increased use of data analytics into the audits of financial statements.
• The CPA's role in addressing cybersecurity risk This paper outlines how the auditing profession can help companies and the capital markets address the growing challenges of cybersecurity. 

Thursday, 11 May 2017

• IAASB Data analytics video In this video, IAASB Data analytics task force chair, Robert Dohrer, and working group members discuss matters related to the widespread use of data analytics in audit.
• Cybersecurity requires foresight In this video, President and CEO of the Institute of Management Accountants, Jeff Thomson highlights that having lines of defence in place upfront will prepare an organisation when a cyberattack occurs.

Thursday, 13 April 2017

• Blockchain, accounting and audit: What accountants need to know This article provides an overview of blockchain, including the potential impact that it will have on audit practices.
• Cyber security: How CPAs Are addressing a Dynamic and Complex Risk This fact sheet highlights discussions held by CPAs to drive a solution to evaluate cybersecurity risk management to enhance public trust in cybersecurity programs.

Thursday, 09 March 2017

• Artificial intelligence comes to Financial Statement Audits This article explores the incorporation of artificial intelligence into the auditing process.
• IAASB Data Analytics project update Bob Dohrer, IAASB Member and Chair of the IAASB Data Analytics Working Group, provides an update of the IAASB's data analytics project.

Thursday, 09 February 2017

• Audit data analytics: Opportunities and tips In this article, senior financial management specialists from CFRR highlights how technological advances and new software solutions enable auditors to engage in audit data analytics

Accountancy SA

• April 2017 Issue Data Analytics- Disrupt the traditional audit approach, by Amé Rademan Senior Manager, DPP Audit & Assurance at KPMG Services (Pty) Ltd

• October 2017 Issue Analysis: The Data Analytics 'Talent Crnch', by Tebogo Mokale, Director: IT Advisory at Grant Thornton

• November 2017 Issue Embracing complex systems thinking as the foundation for a new cyber security paradigm, by Michiel Jonker, Director: IT advisory at Grant Thornton

SMP Articles

Monthly SMP Newsletters

• Sep-17 Update on XBRL From July 2018, companies that are required to submit AFS in terms of the Companies Act will submit via XBRL.

• Aug-17 What is Blockchain? Rich de Moll, Vice President, Blockchain Solutions for Finance at IBM Cogitative Process Services explains Blockchain.

• Jul-17 Boomer’s Blueprint: Blockchain - hype or reality?  When the focus changes so do the business processes forcing accountants to move up the value chain or be disintermediated.

• May-17 Disrupting the Accountancy Profession The accountancy profession faces significant opportunities and risks from digital disruption and rapidly evolving technology.

• May-17 Seven Benefits of Blogging for Accounting Firms The article explains the reasons why every accounting firm needs to have a blog page on their website.

• Feb-17 The future of the audit industry: From masses of data to meaning  In this article, Bob Dohrer, global leader of quality and risk for RSM, comments on the current trends and the future of the audit profession.

• Feb-17 The What, Why, and How of Cloud Computing for SMPs In this article, Paul Gibsy, Manager Accountancy & Tax: Accountancy Europe, explains the importance of cloud-based computing for SMPs.

Quarterly SMP Newsletters

• Sep-17 Digitial technologies' Implications for SMPs, by Paul Thompson, Director, EFAA

• Jun-17 The Oblivion of not Using Data & Analytics on your Audit, by Paulina Baratynksa, Senior Manager, D & A in the Audit, KPMG Services (Pty) Ltd

• Mar-17 Auditor of the Future: How to Remain Relevant in the Market, by Hayley Barker Hoogwerf, Project Director: Assurance

Seminars and events

Comment letters

This is a work in progress so WATCH THIS SPACE

International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board  

Data analytics has been included on the Agenda for the past IAASB meetings as follows:

• Agenda Pack - June 2015
• Board Minutes - June 2015
• Agenda Pack - Sept 2015
• Board Minutes - Sept 2015
• Agenda Pack - March 2016
• Board Minutes - March 2016
• Agenda Pack - June 2016
• Board Minutes - June 2016
• Agenda Pack - June 2017

• Exploring the Growing Use of Technology in the Audit, with a Focus on Data Analytics
• Comment letters received
• The Data Analytics Feedback Statement

Videos

• IAASB Data Analytics Project Update
• IAASB Data Analytics Working Group: Question and answer session with IFIAR