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Una

Computer Assisted Audit tools and techniques helps the auditor to collect, analyze and identify data using a computer

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biatrizbgalvez0629
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6 views4 pages

Una

Computer Assisted Audit tools and techniques helps the auditor to collect, analyze and identify data using a computer

Uploaded by

biatrizbgalvez0629
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTRODUCTION

Internal auditors have a very challenging job to do and over the last few years, it has become
increasingly apparent that business dynamics, related risks, and the amounts of data that must
be examined have increased much faster than the staff levels of internal audit departments. Even
when the number of internal auditors has increased, the headcount is not enough to handle the
expanding number of responsibilities. In this environment of demands exceeding the availability
of resources, internal auditors must use new and innovative tools and techniques to meet their
responsibilities.

Since the 1990s, when CAATTs joined the internal audit lexicon, auditors have been searching
for ways to leverage these computer tools and techniques to broaden their reach. CAATTS refer to
the collection of software tools that allow auditors to examine transactions using computer tools.

HISTOGRAMS
-Histograms are charts that show the frequency distribution of numerical data using rectangles,
each of which represents intervals.

*HISTOGRAMS SHAPE

CONTROL CHART
-Control charts are one of the seven basic tools of quality and although it is widely used by
quality control specialists, it is seldom known, and even less frequently used, by internal auditors.

*CONTROL CHART EXAMPLE

PARETO CHART
- The Pareto principle, also known as the 80/20 rule, posits that for many events approximately
80% of the effects are caused by 20% of the causes.

*FIGURE 6.2: AN EXAMPLE PF A PARETO CHART USING EXCEL AND ITS TWO VERTICAL
AXIS FEATURE.
When drawing the Pareto diagram, draw the diagram with the cause(s) on the horizontal axis.
Then put points assigned on the vertical axis.
For each cause, construct a bar with two components:
1. Number of votes (or points) received for that component.
2. Number of people voting for that cause. When done, rank the items in order of importance

CAUSE AND EFFECT ( FISHBONE, ISHIKAWA) DIAGRAM


-One of the best tools I have found to help me identify contributing causes of an issue, and hone into the root
cause most accurately, is the fishbone diagram. This tool is also called cause and effect diagram or
Ishikawa diagram for the name of the person who invented it, Kaoru Ishikawa.

When searching for the root cause of issues, auditors are effectively searching for the source
of variation, which are often grouped into categories. The following six categories are often used:
1. People
2. Methods
3. Machines
4. Materials
5. Measurements
6. Environment

*FIGURE 6.3 FISHBONE DIAGRAM

FORCE FIELD ANALYSIS


-Force Field Analysis is a very effective tool to correct the approach most people use when advocating for
change.

*FIGURE 6.4 FORCE FIELD ANALYSIS


FLOWCHART/PROCESS FLOW MAP/VALUE STREAM MAP
-A flowchart is a diagram that represents a work flow or process. It shows the steps in the form of
boxes of different shapes and the order or sequence of events by connecting the items with arrows.
Flowcharts are used to design, document, manage, and analyze a program or process in virtually
any field by presenting the process flow in visual form.

Internal auditors review processes they don’t have responsibility for, yet they must have a highlevel of
familiarity with them. They need to understand
◾ The objectives of the program or process
◾ How performance is measured
◾ How the activities are performed
◾ Who perform these activities
◾ Where the risks and controls are
◾ Where anomalies take place

There are hundreds of symbols that can be used when drawing flowcharts, the most
common are
◾ Rectangular boxes
◾ Diamonds
◾ Arrows
◾ Ellipses

*TABLE 6.4 BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES OF FLOWCHART

The As Is diagram depicts the present or current state of the process and the auditor should
document everything in the current state. In addition to the activities, decisions, diamonds and arrows
showing the flows, it is useful to show whenever possible:
1. Time-Time to execution can be a compliance requirement
2. Bottlenecks- These represent a problem in processes because the limited capacity and performance of a
process causes delays that impact cycle time.
3. Production Volume- Internal auditors examine the background of the program or process during the
planning phase
4.Delay- How long are the wait times
Some suggestions to effectively draw the As Is map:
1. Determine the boundaries of the process
2. Identify the steps through consensus
3. Walk the process and arrange chronologically.
4. Draw using the appropriate symbols
5. Test for completeness
6. Look for problem areas as a team
7. Show Details

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