The role currently being played by Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in ensuring the accuracy, timeliness and integrity of audit reports cannot be stressed too strongly. This thesis, relates to a study on assessing the current and potential impact of ICT on auditing in providing useful information for a wide range of users. Using a triangulation of interview and questionnaire techniques, the study covers the activities of auditors working in the 'big4' accounting firms, some small and medium sized accounting firms, one of the UK's 'big?' banks and some government agencies. This exploratory study is privileged to be one of the first to shed more light on the current state of affairs regarding the extent of use of ICT tools and techniques by both internal and external auditors. Also, the study has been able to assess the impact these tools and techniques are currently having on auditors and the organisations they work for by identifying the main benefits and drawbacks ICT has brought to the profession. As a result of its findings, this research is able to identify and discuss potential areas of the audit profession that could benefit from further utilisation of ICT. This study is the first to empirically assess the current and potential use of Continuous Online Auditing within the UK auditing profession comprising both public and commercial establishments. Similarly, the study is able to break new ground in accounting research by exploring the impact audit automation is having on auditor independence and the audit expectations-performance gap. Above all, the production uf C::l ih..~~-i8y~r~d iTiodei (an integration of contingency, socia-technical systems and structuration theories) for a comprehensive understanding of ICT impact on audit remains a major highlight of the study. The model advocates that the use of leT in audits is a function of certain contingent factors that determine an optimal mix of human skills and technological capabilities, which would lead to changes in the nature of auditors' roles and outputs and audit organisations' structures. Indeed, this road has been rough and turbulent in every way but at the end of it, I have the cause to say all praise is due to ALLAH. I do acknowledge that His bounties on me are certainly immeasurable. My thanks go to my supeNisors, Mr. Ashok Patel and Dr. Peter Scott for their guidance and support right from the start of the programme till its end. The remarkable memory of my dealings with them will remain with me throughout my academic life. I also appreciate the support of my Head of Department, Professor Elaine Harris, Professor Martyn Denscombe and members of the Accounting & Finance Department and the Business school as a whole particularly my research student colleagues. I do also acknowledge the invaluable assistance rendered to me by Messrs C. Peters, E. Clarke, S. Jones, A. Salami, L. Cooke, S. Durojaiye and K. Handscombe for facilitating my access to their organisations while I say a big thank you to all my respondents to the questionnaire and inteNiewees for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend to my requests. My father, Alhajj Zakariyya Omoteso, my late mother, Alhajja Hamdatullah Omoteso, my siblings Hasanah, Mulkah, Madinah, A1Fattah, Fatimah, Taofeeq, Mika'i1, Mahmudah and my brother-in-law, T.K. Sarumi have all played important roles in giving me the basic foundations I need in life to succeed. Their unflinching support in all respects has been a unique source of inspiration for me. I also show my heartfelt appreciation to my darling wife, Ni'matullah for her constant support, sacrifice· and understanding especially when the going got tough. The same goes for her parents, Alhajj &Alhajja Sodique as well as her siblings, Sumayyah, Nurayn, Khadijah, Maryam, Rizqah and Lateefah. To my little ones, Aminah and 'Abdullah, I pray they grow to realise what their presence during this period meant to me. Two special people have been central to the success of this programme, Dr. Isma'il Ibrahim and Dr. Gbolahan Gbadamosi. I pray they reap the rewards of their efforts on the day when good deeds will be scarce. The same prayer goes for my buddies, M. Kadri, S. Olagunju, T. Olakunle I. Badmus, A. A1Salaam, D. Shafi, H. Mobolaji, T.Yusuf, I. Adelopo, S. Elegbede, U. Adeyemi, M. Obalola, M. Adeyoola, A. Solate, M. Bello, S. Ogunmuyiwa, N. Olaleye, A. Husain, S. Osunleke, Z. Adeniyi, I. Ogunwale, A. Adedeji, H. Onabanjo, A. Zubair, K. Akosile, M. Adesokan, W. Busari, S. Junaid and all my numerous friends here and abroad. Finally, I say a big thank you to my former high school teacher, Mr. 8.0. Agunbiade, for arousing my interest in accounting.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:502099 |
| Date | January 2006 |
| Creators | Omoteso, Kamil |
| Publisher | De Montfort University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://hdl.handle.net/2086/4345 |
Page generated in 0.006 seconds