IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/ijoais/v13y2012i1p60-79.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

An analysis of attributes that impact information technology audit quality: A study of IT and financial audit practitioners

Author

Listed:
  • Stoel, Dale
  • Havelka, Douglas
  • Merhout, Jeffrey W.

Abstract

The importance of information technology (IT) auditing has grown with increased reliance on IT for business operations and new regulations regarding the assurance of IT for these operations. Prior work on IT and financial auditing has suggested several general frameworks that may affect IT audit quality; however, the prior work has not provided measurable constructs nor has it considered whether these proposed constructs are the same or different. Building on prior work that has proposed frameworks of IT audit quality, we identify and evaluate potential constructs suggested by these frameworks as well as financial auditing literature. We develop a survey tool and ask IT and financial accounting practitioners to assess the impact of these items on IT audit quality. A factor analysis is used to refine the set of IT audit quality factors identified, and we are able to provide insight into the prioritized impact of each factor on IT audit quality. In comparison to prior research, we find that additional factors are significant for IT audit quality and that the relative importance of the factors for IT audit quality differs for IT versus financial auditors.

Suggested Citation

  • Stoel, Dale & Havelka, Douglas & Merhout, Jeffrey W., 2012. "An analysis of attributes that impact information technology audit quality: A study of IT and financial audit practitioners," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 60-79.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ijoais:v:13:y:2012:i:1:p:60-79
    DOI: 10.1016/j.accinf.2011.11.001
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1467089511000662
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.accinf.2011.11.001?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tan, HT & Kao, A, 1999. "Accountability effects on auditors' performance: The influence of knowledge, problem-solving ability, and task complexity," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(1), pages 209-223.
    2. Lowensohn, Suzanne & Johnson, Laurence E. & Elder, Randal J. & Davies, Stephen P., 2007. "Auditor specialization, perceived audit quality, and audit fees in the local government audit market," Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Elsevier, vol. 26(6), pages 705-732.
    3. Curtis, Mary B. & Payne, Elizabeth A., 2008. "An examination of contextual factors and individual characteristics affecting technology implementation decisions in auditing," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 9(2), pages 104-121.
    4. Srivastava, Rajendra P. & Kogan, Alexander, 2010. "Assurance on XBRL instance document: A conceptual framework of assertions," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 11(3), pages 261-273.
    5. Abdolmohammadi, Mohammad J. & Boss, Scott R., 2010. "Factors associated with IT audits by the internal audit function," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 11(3), pages 140-151.
    6. Austen, Lizabeth A. & Eilifsen, Aasmund & Messier Jr., William F., 2004. "Auditor Detected Misstatements and the Effect of Information Technology," Discussion Papers 2004/1, Norwegian School of Economics, Department of Business and Management Science.
    7. El-Hussein E. El-Masry, 2008. "Factors affecting auditors' utilization of evidential cues," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 23(1), pages 26-50, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Axelsen, Micheal & Green, Peter & Ridley, Gail, 2017. "Explaining the information systems auditor role in the public sector financial audit," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 15-31.
    2. Havelka, Douglas & Merhout, Jeffrey W., 2013. "Internal information technology audit process quality: Theory development using structured group processes," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 14(3), pages 165-192.
    3. Mohd Noor Azli, 2013. "A Study of Various Aspects of Internet Financial Reporting: A Case of Malaysian Auditors," Information Management and Business Review, AMH International, vol. 5(6), pages 278-291.
    4. Huh, Bong Gu & Lee, Sunhwa & Kim, Wonsin, 2021. "The impact of the input level of information system audit on the audit quality: Korean evidence," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    5. Tung-Hsien Wu & Shi-Ming Huang & Shaio Yan Huang & David C. Yen, 2017. "The effect of competencies, team problem-solving ability, and computer audit activity on internal audit performance," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 19(5), pages 1133-1148, October.
    6. Hoffman, Benjamin W. & Sellers, R. Drew & Skomra, Justyna, 2018. "The impact of client information technology capability on audit pricing," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 59-75.
    7. Hux, Candice T., 2017. "Use of specialists on audit engagements: A research synthesis and directions for future research," Journal of Accounting Literature, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 23-51.
    8. Steinbart, Paul John & Raschke, Robyn L. & Gal, Graham & Dilla, William N., 2018. "The influence of a good relationship between the internal audit and information security functions on information security outcomes," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 15-29.
    9. Mohd Noor Azli, 2013. "Perceptions of Auditors in Malaysia on the Important Items of Internet Financial Reporting," Journal of Education and Vocational Research, AMH International, vol. 4(5), pages 146-158.
    10. Claudiu BRANDAS & Dan STIRBU & Otniel DIDRAGA, 2013. "Integrated Approach Model of Risk, Control and Auditing of Accounting Information Systems," Informatica Economica, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 17(4), pages 87-95.
    11. Tung-Hsien Wu & Shi-Ming Huang & Shaio Yan Huang & David C. Yen, 0. "The effect of competencies, team problem-solving ability, and computer audit activity on internal audit performance," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-16.
    12. Liu, Junxian & Nie, Song & Lin, Tiantian, 2024. "Government auditing and urban energy efficiency in the context of the digital economy: Evidence from China's Auditing System reform," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 296(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Havelka, Douglas & Merhout, Jeffrey W., 2013. "Internal information technology audit process quality: Theory development using structured group processes," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 14(3), pages 165-192.
    2. Sojung Lucia Kim & Thompson S.H. Teo & Anol Bhattacherjee & Kichan Nam, 0. "IS auditor characteristics, audit process variables, and IS audit satisfaction: An empirical study in South Korea," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-15.
    3. Weisner, Martin M. & Sutton, Steve G., 2015. "When the world isn't always flat: The impact of psychological distance on auditors' reliance on specialists," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 16(C), pages 23-41.
    4. Fábio Albuquerque & Paula Gomes Dos Santos, 2023. "Recent Trends in Accounting and Information System Research: A Literature Review Using Textual Analysis Tools," FinTech, MDPI, vol. 2(2), pages 1-27, April.
    5. Sojung Lucia Kim & Thompson S.H. Teo & Anol Bhattacherjee & Kichan Nam, 2017. "IS auditor characteristics, audit process variables, and IS audit satisfaction: An empirical study in South Korea," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 577-591, June.
    6. Gonzalez, George C. & Sharma, Pratyush N. & Galletta, Dennis F., 2012. "The antecedents of the use of continuous auditing in the internal auditing context," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 13(3), pages 248-262.
    7. Fatima Zahra Barrane & Gahima Egide Karuranga & Diane Poulin, 2018. "Technology Adoption and Diffusion: A New Application of the UTAUT Model," International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management (IJITM), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 15(06), pages 1-19, December.
    8. Odette M. Pinto, 2015. "Effects of Advice on Effectiveness and Efficiency of Tax Planning Tasks," Accounting Perspectives, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 14(4), pages 307-329, December.
    9. Lau, Yeng Wai, 2014. "Aggregated or disaggregated information first?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(11), pages 2376-2384.
    10. Habib, Ahsan, 2011. "Audit firm industry specialization and audit outcomes: Insights from academic literature," Research in Accounting Regulation, Elsevier, vol. 23(2), pages 114-129.
    11. Rita Yuniarti, 2011. "Audit Firm Size, Audit Fee And Audit Quality," Journal of Global Management, Global Research Agency, vol. 2(1), pages 84-97, July.
    12. Bierstaker, James & Janvrin, Diane & Lowe, D. Jordan, 2014. "What factors influence auditors' use of computer-assisted audit techniques?," Advances in accounting, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 67-74.
    13. Slapničar, Sergeja & Vuko, Tina & Čular, Marko & Drašček, Matej, 2022. "Effectiveness of cybersecurity audit," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 44(C).
    14. Vicky Arnold, 2018. "The changing technological environment and the future of behavioural research in accounting," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 58(2), pages 315-339, June.
    15. Marija Aleksovska & Thomas Schillemans & Stephan Grimmelikhuijsen, 2019. "Lessons from five decades of experimental and behavioral research on accountability: A systematic literature review," Journal of Behavioral Public Administration, Center for Experimental and Behavioral Public Administration, vol. 2(2).
    16. Siew, Eu-Gene & Rosli, Khairina & Yeow, Paul H.P., 2020. "Organizational and environmental influences in the adoption of computer-assisted audit tools and techniques (CAATTs) by audit firms in Malaysia," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 36(C).
    17. Joseph Drew & Brian Dollery, 2015. "Inconsistent Depreciation Practice and Public Policymaking: Local Government Reform in New South Wales," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 25(1), pages 28-37, March.
    18. Koch, Christopher & Weber, Martin & Wüstemann, Jens, 2007. "Can auditors be independent? : Experimental evidence," Papers 07-59, Sonderforschungsbreich 504.
    19. Mahdi Salehi, 2011. "A study of the barriers of implementation of accounting information system: Case of listed companies in Tehran Stock Exchange," Journal of Economics and Behavioral Studies, AMH International, vol. 2(2), pages 76-85.
    20. Haislip, Jacob Z. & Peters, Gary F. & Richardson, Vernon J., 2016. "The effect of auditor IT expertise on internal controls," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 1-15.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:ijoais:v:13:y:2012:i:1:p:60-79. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/international-journal-of-accounting-information-systems/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.