The Impact of Emerging Technology on the Role of Auditors in Reshaping the Future of Audit (Published)
Emerging technologies have the potential to enhance business operations, and the audit profession today faces a range of challenges that audit firms, as business entities, can address. This research evaluates the impact of emerging technologies, such as blockchain, big data, and machine learning, on auditing methods and processes, examining how auditors may adapt to an evolving landscape. Through semi-structured interviews and a qualitative approach, this study provides an in-depth analysis of the effects of contemporary technologies on the audit profession. The findings offer valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges auditors face in an era of rapid technological advancement, along with recommendations for the future direction of the audit profession. The study also explores the expectations gap and the role of technology in bridging this gap. The results align with existing literature, revealing that integrating new technologies into auditing enhances effectiveness and efficiency. Consequently, auditors must broaden their skill sets and adapt to an ever-changing environment to remain competitive despite ongoing technological advancements.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Audit Quality, audit efficiency, emerging technologies