Digital technology and the audit profession: What impact?

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to take stock of the auditing profession in the age of digital technology and explain how it can improve the quality of the auditing profession. To this end, we have conducted a qualitative approach by interview guide with auditors from major audit firms (Big 4 and Mazars) and emerging audit firms in Morocco. Data analysis is performed through thematic analysis.

Our research results show that digital technology through its Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics models can improve the quality of the audit, while making it possible to evaluate the audit offer, to develop new services of audit firms and redefine the profile of auditors in the future. Thus, some predictions from this study concerning future audit practices include an increasing automation of audit procedures, time management that guarantees high added value tasks and an increasingly global perspective on audit activities.

JEL Classification: H83 , L24, O14

Paper type: Empirical Research