Innovation in Audit and Assurance: A Global Study of Disruptive Technologies

Abstract

The study at hand develops the Audit and Assurance Value Chain as a structured framework with four categories: accessing information and data, verifying information, protecting information, and assessing internal controls. After development of the Audit and Assurance Value Chain, it was utilized to categorize emerging technologies derived out of investigations of more than 100 technology innovator companies and interviews with 23 organizations comprising audit and assurance practitioners, regulators, associations, and national standard-setters. The study is based on global data coverage to identify emerging technologies that have not been connected to audit and assurance services before, bringing new insights to the field. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board convening power and influence in promoting the adoption of emerging technologies. JEL Classification: M40; M41; M42; O30; O32; O33.