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

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.

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 221-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Kogan ◽  
Michael G. Alles ◽  
Miklos A. Vasarhelyi ◽  
Jia Wu

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
Byron J. Pike ◽  
Lawrence Chui ◽  
Kasey A. Martin ◽  
Renee M. Olvera

SUMMARY To reduce redundancies and increase efficiency in the evaluation of internal controls (PCAOB 2007, 402–403), professional standards encourage coordination between external auditors and their clients' internal audit function (IAF). Recent surveys of internal auditors find that a component of this coordination is external auditors' involvement in developing the IAF's audit plans. Nevertheless, it is not known how such involvement affects external auditors' reliance on the internal control test work of the IAF, either before or after a negative audit discovery. Based on an experiment with 107 experienced auditors, we find that external auditors involved in the development of the IAF's audit plan perceive the IAF as more objective and that both objectivity and involvement contribute to these auditors' placing more reliance on the IAF as compared to external auditors with no involvement. This initial reliance results in the involved auditors' proposing reductions to the audit budget and re-performing less of the IAF's work. Consistent with an anchoring bias, we find that involvement leads to external auditors' continuing to place greater reliance on the IAF's work, even after they become aware of a negative audit discovery that should not have occurred had the client's controls been effective. Data Availability: Data are available from the authors on request.


Emerging technologies have always played an important role in armed conflict. From the crossbow to cyber capabilities, technology that could be weaponized to create an advantage over an adversary has inevitably found its way into military arsenals for use in armed conflict. The weaponization of emerging technologies, however, raises challenging legal issues with respect to the law of armed conflict. As States continue to develop and exploit new technologies, how will the law of armed conflict address the use of these technologies on the battlefield? Is existing law sufficient to regulate new technologies, such as cyber capabilities, autonomous weapons systems, and artificial intelligence? Have emerging technologies fundamentally altered the way we should understand concepts such as law-of-war precautions and the principle of distinction? How can we ensure compliance and accountability in light of technological advancement? This book explores these critical questions while highlighting the legal challenges—and opportunities—presented by the use of emerging technologies on the battlefield.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-74
Author(s):  
Hugh Grove ◽  
Mac Clouse ◽  
Tracy Xu

Artificial intelligence (AI) has moved from theory into the global marketplace. The United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization released the first report of its Technology Trends series on January 31, 2019. It considered more than 340,000 AI-related patent applications over the last 70 years. 50 percent of all AI patents have been published in just the last five years. The challenges, potential risks, and opportunities for business and corporate governance from emerging technologies, especially artificial intelligence, have been summarized as whereby machines and software can analyze, optimize, prophesize, customize, digitize and automate just about any job in every industry. Boards of directors and executives need to recognize and understand the new risks associated with these emerging technologies and related reputational risks. The major research question of this paper is how boards of directors and executives can deal with both risk challenges and opportunities to strengthen corporate governance. Accordingly, the following sections of this paper discuss key risk management issues: deep shift risks, global risks, digital risks and opportunities, AI initiatives risks, business risks from millennials, business reputational risks, and conclusions.


2012 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miklos A. Vasarhelyi ◽  
Michael Alles ◽  
Siripan Kuenkaikaew ◽  
James Littley

2011 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Wallace ◽  
Hui Lin ◽  
Meghann Abell Cefaratti

ABSTRACT: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) created a resurgence of organizational focus on internal controls. In this study, we examine the extent to which the information technology (IT) controls suggested by the ISO 17799 security framework have been integrated into organizations’ internal control environments. We collected survey data from 636 members of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) on the current usage of IT controls in their organizations. In addition to identifying the most and least commonly implemented IT controls, the survey results indicate that control implementation differences exist based on a company’s status as public or private, the size of the company, and the industry in which the company operates. Training of internal auditors and/or IT personnel is also associated with significant differences in implemented controls. We discuss the implications of our research and offer suggestions for future research.


2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianhua (Q) Ling ◽  
Michael D. Akers

The passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX) heightened the importance of internal controls and accordingly, a key control - the internal audit function.  Consequently, management and external auditors have both increased their reliance on internal auditors’ work.  While there has been considerable research regarding the impact of the underreporting of time and premature sign-offs on the external audit, there has only been one study that has examined the impact of these two items on the internal auditors’ work.  Such research is dated (1994) and prior to the passage of SOX.  We surveyed members of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) in the Midwest to examine their behavior and perceptions regarding these two items.  The respondents in our study believe the underreporting of time is unethical and is supported by their reporting of all time worked, even if such time exceeded the budget.  Our findings also show that the respondents feel premature sign-offs are unethical and result primarily from lack of professional skepticism and inadequate training.  Increasing training in audit areas and improving communications within the audit team are possible solutions to reduce premature sign-offs.  Premature sign-offs are more likely to occur in operational audits and to a lesser degree in financial audits and compliance audits. 


2014 ◽  
pp. 1419-1432
Author(s):  
Mike A. Guest ◽  
Elizabeth Culhane ◽  
Daniel P. McDonald

The rapid pace of globalization around the world is associated with profound changes to how individuals and organizations communicate. Emerging technologies and applications in recent years, such as social networks and virtual workspace tools, are dramatically opening communication, collaboration, and learning opportunities. Such technologies provide a platform for efficient communication among individuals around the world. In parallel, evolution of simulation technologies (e.g., Virtual Environments [VE] and online gaming) over the last decade has resulted in cost-effective, widely-accessible interactive environments that provide rich user experiences (e.g., 3-dimensional). These technology developments represent significant changes in the way that individuals interact with one another, and bring new challenges and opportunities for diversity management. This chapter discusses the current state of emerging technologies and implications for diversity management.


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