Indian have been drawn with hosts UAE, Malaysia and Kazakhstan in Group B of the Asian Badminton Mixed Team Championship
As the world of business grows in complexity, the Internal Audit process has become more time consuming and difficult. Internal auditors are often unable to validate that a business is being run effectively and regulations-compliant despite conducting thorough audits. The huge volume of information that they must process within a relatively short period is a key reason why that is so.
Benefits of Data Analytics for Internal Audit
In recent years, data analytics has helped overcome above challenge and transformed the internal audit process. Used effectively, data analytics delivers significant performance uplift and value-add to an organisation and increases the credibility of internal audits with stakeholders. It also improves the quality by automating the process and provides management with optimal assurance.
A key benefit of data analytics is the comprehensiveness of audit and elimination of sample testing. This leads to more accurate audits and greater assurance to management.
Data analytics also helps improve audit efficiency by processing large volumes of data within a limited timeframe. An unprecedented level of efficiency can be achieved if we use analytics to review low-value activities while auditors focus on critical processes. Automation of time consuming tasks helps internal auditors establish more controls and improve adherence to standards and guidelines.
Data analytics also helps identify hidden patterns and irregularities. It assists internal auditors to identify risks efficiently and improve internal control. Conducting real time risk assessment and continuous auditing helps in improving risk management.
Quality Analytics
High-quality and impactful analytics are proven assets for any business. It also enhances the credibility of internal audits. However, it is equally very easy to lose trust due to unreliable and inaccurate results that may be caused due to poor data quality and misrepresentation of data.
It is hence critical to develop an effective data analytics approach. The process includes data quality assessment and validation or results. Organisations using data analytics for internal audits should develop data standards and conduct quality assessments.
Besides ensuring data quality, it is important to pay heed to data sensitivity, storage and jurisdictional regulations. This is especially relevant for organisations with offshore centres for data analytics.
Collaboration between the analytics team and internal auditors is critical to audit quality. Not involving analytics in defining the scope of the audit can lead to suboptimal, or even inappropriate, insights.
The Last Word
Data analytics managed well can be highly effective in internal audits. While implementing it may initially appear expensive, it proves to be cost effective in the long run. Besides, it also helps in improving the audit efficiency by testing all transactions and conducting comprehensive audits.
Data analytics in internal audit will become even more efficient going forward as the underlying technologies improve. New technologies will help overcome current challenges such as data compatibility, data management, data accuracy, etc. Over time, data analytics — internal audit integration will prove to be a worthwhile one. Even more than now, that it is.
To get in touch with our team:
Email: uae@mbgcorp.com; WhatsApp/Call:
+971-526406240
Visit: www.mbgcorp.com/ae
— Shailendra Ranjan is senior director – consulting at MBG Corporate Services
Indian have been drawn with hosts UAE, Malaysia and Kazakhstan in Group B of the Asian Badminton Mixed Team Championship
Dr Nadine Tarcha, Pfizer’s Gulf medical director, explains how the initiative seeks to benefit people, bridges inequities and helps adult immunisation in the region
Official evaluation of the new work system found 74 per cent increase in the attendance rate, while sick leave rates decreased by 46 per cent
The 'Riayati' platform is expected to enhance healthcare experience in the country and help professionals care for patients better
More than 700 flights to or from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and more than 200 to or from Dallas Love Field were cancelled or delayed on Tuesday
Twitter buzzed with various memes questioning the Hindenburg report, and others praised the performance of his company after the secondary share sale was fully subscribed
Primates become less active and stop eating when there is no light. As a temporary solution, battery-powered lights have been installed, says primate specialist
Home care for elderly also among key areas of focus, as emirate’s investment-friendly ecosystem makes it conducive for international businesses