IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/ijoais/v35y2019ics1467089518301738.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Applying robotic process automation (RPA) in auditing: A framework

Author

Listed:
  • Huang, Feiqi
  • Vasarhelyi, Miklos A.

Abstract

Robotic process automation (RPA) has been widely adopted in many industries, including the accounting industry, to automate well-defined and repetitive tasks; however, its application to auditing has lagged behind because of the unique nature of this industry. This study applies RPA in the auditing area. An RPA framework is proposed that frees auditors from doing repetitive and low-judgment audit tasks and enables them to focus on tasks that require professional judgment. This paper also demonstrates the feasibility of RPA by implementing a pilot project that applies RPA to the confirmation process.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Feiqi & Vasarhelyi, Miklos A., 2019. "Applying robotic process automation (RPA) in auditing: A framework," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 35(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ijoais:v:35:y:2019:i:c:s1467089518301738
    DOI: 10.1016/j.accinf.2019.100433
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1467089518301738
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.accinf.2019.100433?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. Lacity, Mary & Willcocks, Leslie P. & Craig, Andrew, 2015. "Robotic process automation at Telefónica O2," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 64516, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    2. Lacity, Mary & Willcocks, Leslie P. & Craig, Andrew, 2015. "Robotic process automation: mature capabilities in the energy sector," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 64520, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Chan, David Y. & Vasarhelyi, Miklos A., 2011. "Innovation and practice of continuous auditing," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 152-160.
    4. Appelbaum, Deniz & Kogan, Alexander & Vasarhelyi, Miklos & Yan, Zhaokai, 2017. "Impact of business analytics and enterprise systems on managerial accounting," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 29-44.
    5. Willcocks, Leslie P. & Lacity, Mary & Craig, Andrew, 2015. "Robotic process automation at Xchanging," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 64518, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    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. Costa Diogo António da Silva & Mamede Henrique São & Mira da Silva Miguel, 2022. "Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Adoption: A Systematic Literature Review," Engineering Management in Production and Services, Sciendo, vol. 14(2), pages 1-12, June.
    2. Laurence Viale & Dorsaf Zouari, 2020. "Impact of digitalization on procurement: the case of robotic process automation," Post-Print hal-03695535, HAL.
    3. Perdana, Arif & Lee, W. Eric & Mui Kim, Chu, 2023. "Prototyping and implementing Robotic Process Automation in accounting firms: Benefits, challenges and opportunities to audit automation," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    4. Bavaresco, Rodrigo Simon & Nesi, Luan Carlos & Victória Barbosa, Jorge Luis & Antunes, Rodolfo Stoffel & da Rosa Righi, Rodrigo & da Costa, Cristiano André & Vanzin, Mariangela & Dornelles, Daniel & J, 2023. "Machine learning-based automation of accounting services: An exploratory case study," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    5. Kumar, Satish & Marrone, Mauricio & Liu, Qi & Pandey, Nitesh, 2020. "Twenty years of the International Journal of Accounting Information Systems: A bibliometric analysis," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    6. Yasheng Chen & Xian Huang & Zhuojun Wu, 2023. "From natural language to accounting entries using a natural language processing method," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(4), pages 3781-3795, December.
    7. Emilio Abad-Segura & Mariana-Daniela González-Zamar, 2020. "Research Analysis on Emerging Technologies in Corporate Accounting," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-29, September.
    8. Joshua Onome Imoniana & Daniel Carlos Nava Filho & Edgard Bruno Cornacchione & Luciane Reginato & Cristiane Benetti, 2023. "Impact of Technological Advancements on Auditing of Financial Statements," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(4), pages 131-159.
    9. Yasheng Chen & Zhuojun Wu & Hui Yan, 2022. "A Full Population Auditing Method Based on Machine Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-17, December.
    10. Roman Šperka & Michal Halaška, 2023. "The performance assessment framework (PPAFR) for RPA implementation in a loan application process using process mining," Information Systems and e-Business Management, Springer, vol. 21(2), pages 277-321, June.
    11. SIPOS Csanád & MÁTÉ Domicián, 2020. "Industrial Environment Selection By Sourcing Strategy In The Case Of North African Countries," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(1), pages 395-404, July.
    12. Lukas-Valentin Herm & Christian Janiesch & Alexander Helm & Florian Imgrund & Adrian Hofmann & Axel Winkelmann, 2023. "A framework for implementing robotic process automation projects," Information Systems and e-Business Management, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-35, March.
    13. Krieger, Felix & Drews, Paul & Velte, Patrick, 2021. "Explaining the (non-) adoption of advanced data analytics in auditing: A process theory," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    14. Anassaya Chawviang & Supaporn Kiattisin & Montree Thirasakthana & Theeraya Mayakul, 2023. "A Smart Co-Operative Management Framework Based on an EA Concept for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-22, April.
    15. Haochen Guo & Petr Polak, 2023. "Intelligent finance and change management implications," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    16. Syaiful Anwar Mohamed & Moamin A. Mahmoud & Mohammed Najah Mahdi & Salama A. Mostafa, 2022. "Improving Efficiency and Effectiveness of Robotic Process Automation in Human Resource Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, March.
    17. Moisescu Florentina & Moisei Madalina, 2021. "The Future of the Accounting Profession Under the Incidence of Automation," Risk in Contemporary Economy, "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, pages 276-286.
    18. P. V. Thayyib & Rajesh Mamilla & Mohsin Khan & Humaira Fatima & Mohd Asim & Imran Anwar & M. K. Shamsudheen & Mohd Asif Khan, 2023. "State-of-the-Art of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics Reviews in Five Different Domains: A Bibliometric Summary," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-38, February.

    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. Francis Aboagye‐Otchere & Cletus Agyenim‐Boateng & Abdulai Enusah & Theodora Ekua Aryee, 2021. "A Review of Big Data Research in Accounting," Intelligent Systems in Accounting, Finance and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(4), pages 268-283, October.
    2. Alexandru-Mihai Crijman, 2021. "Good Business Processes Candidates For Automation Future Of Work: Robotic Process Automation," Annals - Economy Series, Constantin Brancusi University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 4, pages 63-71, August.
    3. 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.
    4. Costa Diogo António da Silva & Mamede Henrique São & Mira da Silva Miguel, 2022. "Robotic Process Automation (RPA) Adoption: A Systematic Literature Review," Engineering Management in Production and Services, Sciendo, vol. 14(2), pages 1-12, June.
    5. 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.
    6. Domenica Lavorato & Palmira Piedepalumbo, 2023. "How Smart Technologies Affect the Decision-Making and Control System of Food and Beverage Companies—A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-21, February.
    7. Markus Jung & Mischa Seiter, 2021. "Towards a better understanding on mitigating algorithm aversion in forecasting: an experimental study," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 32(4), pages 495-516, December.
    8. Rikhardsson, Pall & Yigitbasioglu, Ogan, 2018. "Business intelligence & analytics in management accounting research: Status and future focus," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 29(C), pages 37-58.
    9. Luminița Hurbean & Florin Militaru & Mihaela Muntean & Doina Danaiata, 2023. "The Impact of Business Intelligence and Analytics Adoption on Decision Making Effectiveness and Managerial Work Performance," Scientific Annals of Economics and Business (continues Analele Stiintifice), Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, vol. 70(SI), pages 43-54, February.
    10. Salonee Patel & Manan Shah, 2023. "A Comprehensive Study on Implementing Big Data in the Auditing Industry," Annals of Data Science, Springer, vol. 10(3), pages 657-677, June.
    11. Jochen Fähndrich, 2023. "A literature review on the impact of digitalisation on management control," Journal of Management Control: Zeitschrift für Planung und Unternehmenssteuerung, Springer, vol. 34(1), pages 9-65, March.
    12. Ahmad H. Juma’h & Yazan Alnsour, 2018. "Using Social Media Analytics: The Effect of President Trump’s Tweets On Companies’ Performance," Journal of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, vol. 17(1), pages 100-121, March.
    13. Aydiner, Arafat Salih & Tatoglu, Ekrem & Bayraktar, Erkan & Zaim, Selim & Delen, Dursun, 2019. "Business analytics and firm performance: The mediating role of business process performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 228-237.
    14. Wang, Yuxin & Tian, Yifu & Teixeira, André & Hulstijn, Joris & Tan, Yao-Hua, 2016. "Fault detection and diagnosis for compliance monitoring in international supply chains," Other publications TiSEM 3a2a4fd2-b5be-4f65-ab7b-d, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    15. 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.
    16. Constantin Zopounidis & Michalis Doumpos & Dimitrios Niklis, 2018. "Financial decision support: an overview of developments and recent trends," EURO Journal on Decision Processes, Springer;EURO - The Association of European Operational Research Societies, vol. 6(1), pages 63-76, June.
    17. 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.
    18. Järvenpää, Marko & Hoque, Zahirul & Mättö, Toni & Rautiainen, Antti, 2023. "Controllers’ role in managerial sensemaking and information trust building in a business intelligence environment," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 50(C).
    19. Moll, Jodie & Yigitbasioglu, Ogan, 2019. "The role of internet-related technologies in shaping the work of accountants: New directions for accounting research," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 51(6).
    20. Adilson Carlos Yoshikuni & Rajeev Dwivedi & Ronaldo Gomes Dultra-de-Lima & Claudio Parisi & José Carlos Tiomatsu Oyadomari, 2023. "Role of Emerging Technologies in Accounting Information Systems for Achieving Strategic Flexibility through Decision-Making Performance: An Exploratory Study Based on North American and South American," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 24(2), pages 199-218, June.

    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:35:y:2019:i:c:s1467089518301738. 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.