Design and Evaluation of a Continuous Data Level Auditing System

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 221-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Kogan ◽  
Michael G. Alles ◽  
Miklos A. Vasarhelyi ◽  
Jia Wu
Keyword(s):  
Business Processes ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Continuous Data ◽  
Continuous Auditing ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Analytical Monitoring ◽  
Data Level ◽  
Unique Capability

SUMMARY: This study develops a framework for a continuous data level auditing system and uses a large sample of procurement data from a major health care provider to simulate an implementation of this framework. In this framework, the first layer monitors compliance with deterministic business process rules and the second layer consists of analytical monitoring of business processes. A distinction is made between exceptions identified by the first layer and anomalies identified by the second one. The unique capability of continuous auditing to investigate (and possibly remediate) the identified anomalies in “pseudo-real time” (e.g., on a daily basis) is simulated and evaluated. Overall, evidence is provided that continuous auditing of complete population data can lead to superior results, but only when audit practices change to reflect the new reality of data availability. Data Availability: The data are proprietary. Please contact the authors for details.

Audit and Tax Career Paths in Public Accounting: An Analysis of Student and Professional Perceptions

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek W. Dalton ◽  
Steve Buchheit ◽  
Jeffrey J. McMillan
Keyword(s):  
Business Processes ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Accounting Students ◽  
Daily Routine ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Public Accounting ◽  
Accounting Professionals ◽  
Job Opportunities ◽  
Client Relationships

SYNOPSIS Upper-division accounting students frequently direct their public accounting careers toward audit or tax “tracks” based on what appears to be limited information. Surprisingly, prior research has not investigated the factors that affect this fundamentally important career decision. We conduct two surveys to investigate the relevant factors of the audit-tax decision from the perspectives of upper-division accounting students and experienced public accounting professionals. Our student survey documents the underlying factors that influence the audit-tax decision. For example, accounting students who plan to pursue careers in audit believe that they will have more client interaction, better future job opportunities (i.e., industry positions), and greater knowledge of business processes if they work in audit (as opposed to tax). In contrast, accounting students who plan to pursue careers in tax perceive that they will have a more stable daily routine, develop more specialized skills, and build more collaborative client relationships if they work in tax (as opposed to audit). While our public accounting respondents agree with many of the students' perceptions, professionals also disagree with several of the students' perceptions, suggesting misimpressions of practice. Our results should be of interest to the accounting professionals, firm recruiters, and accounting professors who advise future accounting professionals. Data Availability: Data are available upon request.

scholarly journals General Concept of Neo-institutional Measurements of Business Processes

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 28-80
Author(s):  
Arkadiusz J. Derkacz
Keyword(s):  
Process Management ◽  
Institutional Economics ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
General Concept ◽  
New Institutional Economics ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency

Abstract Objective: General concept of neo-institutional measurements of business processes is an approach developed by the author, which fits in with the practical search for appropriate methods and tools that would optimize effectiveness and efficiency of business process management. The objective of the following discussion is to prove the thesis that effectiveness of business processes that take place within a company depends on the quality of support of such processes that is included in the set of supporting factors, as well as on neo-institutional determinants of business processes. Methodology: In the article, the author used primarily long-term observations of the functioning of enterprises, critical literature analysis and thought experiment. Findings: The concept was based on long-term of author’s experience in business management and it was essentially grounded in the model of the new institutional economics. On the basis of critical analysis of the literature and with the use of empirical research results from different industries and countries, it defines four hypotheses, which make ground for the concept in question. These are: hypothesis of rational change of condition, hypothesis of expected determinants of business processes, hypothesis of rational determinants of business processes and intensity of impact hypothesis. Value Added: The concept presents a new holistic and behavioral method for business processes analysis. Recommendations: The general concept of neo-institutional measurements of business processes may become a new economic approach concerning the issues of effectiveness and efficiency of business processes, but also it may become the ground for creation of a new catalogue of recommendations for managers, who, on a daily basis, make difficult managerial decisions.

Health Management Challenges of the Pandemic - A Case Study from Recent Pipeline Repair Campaign

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Widi Hernowo ◽  
Rosif Ridho ◽  
Sunarto Sunarto
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Government Regulation ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Business Continuity ◽  
Major Health ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
Business Continuity Management

Abstract Avoiding an offshore COVID-19 outbreak while executing an urgent and intricate pipeline repair campaign is a significant challenge, especially in a country that is experiencing a COVID-19 positivity rate of more than 20% on daily basis. Any minor mismanagement of health management on the DSV (diving support vessel) may lead to a COVID-19 outbreak with the risk of shutting down the campaign and significantly impacting the business continuity objectives. Therefore, the major health management challenge is to avoid a COVID-19 outbreak on the DSV to ensure the well-being of personnel during campaign and to achieve the necessary pipeline repair. The approach taken was to deploy the DSV with team and tools/equipment as soon as possible to avoid a prolonged platform shutdown due to the pipeline leak event. In order to carry out the project, a detailed risk assessment taking account of medical, logistics and security considerations was undertaken in order avoid a COVID-19 outbreak on the vessel. The risk assessment enabled an adjustment to the quarantine requirements for the pipeline repair team before departure to the work location. A contingency plan was also developed to manage a scenario in which a member of the offshore team was infected with COVID-19, and in order to comply with applicable government regulation. Through the effective implementation of a detailed risk assessment, the company was able to complete the pipeline repair campaign without any offshore COVID-19 outbreaks. On the DSV there were 65 personnel working on multiple activities to execute the pipeline repair works on time and on budget. The site team made a diligent effort to follow the mitigations identified in the risk assessment, under the direction of company Business Continuity Management Team (BCMT). As a result of this effort, the company was able to resume production from the offshore platform in a timely manner. This paper discusses the effective implementation of detailed risk assessment on a DSV as part of company business continuity management amid COVID-19 pandemic in the country, including medical, logistics and security considerations. This project was implemented in a year-end period, beyond normal conditions and in a tight schedule.

scholarly journals Improving the monitoring of conservation programmes: lessons from a grant-making initiative for threatened species

Oryx ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Alessandro Badalotti ◽  
Laura van Galen ◽  
Jean-Christophe Vié ◽  
P. J. Stephenson
Keyword(s):  
Plant Conservation ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Project Managers ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Geographical Differences ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
Project Portfolios ◽  
Conservation Projects ◽  
Positive Population

Abstract Many conservation projects have weak capacity to monitor their target species and the threats they face, compromising adaptive management. We assessed 74 vertebrate and plant conservation projects worldwide that were supported by the SOS–Save Our Species Programme (now IUCN Save Our Species) during 2012–2015. Our aim was to determine how and where monitoring efforts were focused, identify trends in data availability and make recommendations for improvement. Project managers reported more of a decrease in threats (73%) and improved habitat conditions (68%) than positive population changes (19%), primarily because of the focus of their objectives and limited time to collect population data. More population data were collected on reptiles and amphibians than mammals and birds, contrary to global trends. This probably reflects a greater focus of mammal and bird projects on improving habitats or reducing threats. There were geographical differences in data availability. Lessons learnt that could be applied to future project portfolios include: a common strategic framework should be developed, along with a set of common indicators against which projects can align and demonstrate their contributions; more guidance and capacity building support should be provided to grantees; and a greater allocation of project budgets should be dedicated to monitoring.

scholarly journals BC Data ScoutTM: A New Tool To Investigate Datasets For Health Research

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Kesselring ◽  
Jessica Galo ◽  
Kelly Sanderson ◽  
Shirley Wong ◽  
Maureen Neuman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Population Data ◽  
Data Access ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Administrative Databases ◽  
Hospital Data ◽  
Full Data ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Support Unit ◽  
Access Request

IntroductionBC’s Ministry of Health (MOH) maintains many administrative databases with rich information and analytical potential. Researchers are keen to use these data for both discovery and applied research. Historically, limited views of data availability and populations therein have supported study feasibility. Therefore, we developed BC Data ScoutTM, a cohort browser. Objectives and ApproachWe developed a cohort browser service to provide information to researchers planning a study using MOH data. The objective was to create a tool that is simple to use, provides quick results and is free to users to encourage its use. A better understanding of the data available can improve study quality and expand the user-base by giving researchers access to information not previously available during the planning stages. The tool will be evaluated by examining the number of requests received and a user satisfaction survey. Plans are in place to expand into additional data sources and extend query sophistication. ResultsThe BC Data ScoutTM online tool provides cohort information in the form of highly aggregated, approximate results to researchers planning a study. It was developed by the MOH, the BC SUPPORT Unit and Population Data BC (PopData) and was launched in February 2018. The service is delivered by PopData. BC Data ScoutTM offers province-wide information for query, is accessible to a wide group of eligible researchers, and has data availability from the year 2000 onwards. Four types of MOH data are available for query: hospital data; physician data; pharmaceutical data; and demographics. In addition to determining study feasibility, the aggregate reports also help to further refine a full data access request and provide enough information to complete and strengthen a funding application. Conclusion/ImplicationsBC Data ScoutTM will be beneficial for researchers planning to request data. This preliminary information may increase the chances of meaningful research studies to obtain funding, and the production of relevant, high-quality research results. BC will be among the first jurisdictions across Canada to offer this type of feasibility service.

A Presentation-Preserved Compositional Approach for Integrating Heterogeneous Systems

2012 ◽  
pp. 210-229
Author(s):  
Fang-Chuan Ou Yang
Keyword(s):  
Web Services ◽  
Web Service ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Service Oriented Architecture ◽  
Heterogeneous Systems ◽  
End Users ◽  
Compositional Approach ◽  
Workflow Integration ◽  
Expected Benefits ◽  
Data Level

In traditional SCW environments, related web services are integrated into business processes. Web service still brings less than expected benefits to small corporations and end-users for two reasons: 1) the web service only focuses on data level and is difficult to implement the presentation-centric business contexts. 2) The small corporations and end-users usually do not have enough IT competences to write a client or user interface to interact with web service(s). In order to solve these problems, the author proposes a presentation-preserved compositional approach for service-oriented architecture (PCSOA), which extends the existing data-oriented compositional approaches for web services to provide a more flexible methodology to orchestrate both data level and presentation level services during the workflow integration. A prototype is also built to validate the feasibility of the approach.

Continuous Audit Implementation at Cia. Hering in Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauricio Codesso ◽  
Marcelo Machado de Freitas ◽  
Xinxin Wang ◽  
Alecsandra de Carvalho ◽  
Aldori Acácio da Silva Filho
Keyword(s):  
Information Quality ◽  
Emerging Technologies ◽  
Tax Compliance ◽  
Internal Controls ◽  
Continuous Data ◽  
Continuous Control ◽  
Continuous Auditing ◽  
Internal Auditors ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

ABSTRACT This paper details the implementation of continuous audit at Cia. Hering, a large Brazilian clothing retailer, including challenges and opportunities that occurred during the process. Internal auditors used emerging technologies to improve the firm's audit procedures and implement continuous auditing in the firm's tax compliance system for its manufacturing division. By comparing internal invoice information to an exogenous tax dataset extracted directly from the State's Tax and Finance Office, internal auditors were able to review all electronic invoices for manufacturing in a timely way, improving information quality and internal controls. Continuous audit provided continuous control monitoring (CCM) and continuous data assurance (CDA) and reduced tax compliance risk in its manufacturing division.

Continuous Auditing and Continuous Monitoring in ERP Environments: Case Studies of Application Implementations

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 287-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kishore Singh ◽  
Peter J. Best ◽  
Mario Bojilov ◽  
Catherine Blunt
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Computer Technology ◽  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Level Of Detail ◽  
Continuous Auditing ◽  
Modern Computer ◽  
Growing Body ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Time Basis

ABSTRACT The need for continuous auditing and continuous monitoring (CA/CM) has increased in the global digital economy. Modern computer-based systems make it possible to measure and monitor business processes at an unprecedented level of detail in a real- or near real-time basis. This empowers auditors to become increasingly dependent on computer technology and software tools. While there is a growing body of literature related to this domain, there is a need for empirical evidence from actual implementations that document these systems in detail. In this research, we perform such an investigation on three CA/CM systems, namely SAPSECURE, CAMAP, and Bagheera-S™.

Continuous Online Auditing: A Program of Research

1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 87-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Kogan ◽  
Ephraim F. Sudit ◽  
Miklos A. Vasarhelyi
Keyword(s):  
Research Agenda ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Computer Networking ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Continuous Auditing ◽  
Research Issues ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Online System ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Widespread Availability

The progressive computerization of business processes and widespread availability of computer networking make it possible to dramatically increase the frequency of periodic audits by redesigning the auditing architecture around Continuous Online Auditing (COA). Continuous auditing is viewed here as a type of auditing that produces audit results simultaneously with, or a short period of time after, the occurrence of relevant events. It is arguable that continuous auditing can be implemented only as an online system, i.e., a system that is permanently connected through computer networking to both auditees and auditors. This article proposes a research agenda for the emerging field of COA. First, the history, institutional background, feasibility of and some experiences in COA are briefly reviewed. Thereafter, a number of research issues relating to the architecture of COA, factors affecting the use of COA, and the major consequences of COA are presented. Finally, a selected number of research issues are highlighted as priorities for future research in COA.

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