Assessment of the Purpose of the Use of GAS: A Perspective of Internal Audit Functions in Australia

Abstract

This article explores the purpose for which GAS, as a data analytics tool, is utilised by internal audit functions in Australia. A quantitative research method was applied, and the data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The total number of online questionnaires returned was 50 (i.e., a response rate of 15.53%) from the total research population of 322 chief audit executives of internal audit functions of organisations that are registered members with the IIA-Australia. The purpose of descriptive statistics is to describe what the data looks like and to compare variables numerically; therefore, no inferences or extrapolation of the data results were made. The results of the study can be used as a benchmark that may enable CAEs to identify whether they are staying abreast of current best practice in the area of technology-based tools and techniques for tests of controls.