Factors affecting IT audit quality: an exploratory study

An information technology audit is defined by Pathak (2005) as “the process of collecting and evaluating evidence to determine whether an information system safeguards assets, maintains data integrity, consumes resources efficiently, and achieves organisational goals effectively.” In Malaysia, according to Mahzan and Veerankutty (2011) 16% of audit firms perform IT audit assurance services. This trend towards IT audit is likely to increase as IT audit continues to be stressed by the accounting profession and the auditing standards. For example, International Standards of Auditing (ISA 315) requires auditors to examine and ascertain the IT procedures, processes, and controls when assessing the client’s controls environment. Abstract