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Abstract
Many businesses are now moving to e-business and implementing computerized accounting
information systems. This phenomenon has given impact to audit profession in performing IT audit,
financial reports audit and tracing electronic source documents. Computer-Assisted-Auditing
Techniques and Tools (CAATTs) are audit technologies that allow IT audit work to be performed
efficiently, effectively and reduce audit time. However, little is known about CAATTs adoption by
public audit firms. This paper presents a new paradigm of Individual-Technology-Organization-
Environment (I-TOE) to investigate the acceptance of CAATTs in audit firms. There are gaps that
exist in prior literatures which studied CAATTs acceptance from only individual auditor views and
did not deliberate on issues from both organizational and individual perspectives. Consequently,
this paper contributes to extend the literature by providing a better understanding on relationship
of both organizational and individual factors in foreseeing CAATTs adoption and investment. A
combination of Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2, and Technology-
Organization-Environment framework are used as the underlying theories. In addition to that, this
paper complements the framework with new variables of technology risk, technology task fit,
organization readiness and top management commitment. I-TOE framework contributes to
professional audit firms that need to measure CAATTs acceptance for the advancement of audit
profession. Future experimental studies may be done to provide evidence and empirically validate
I-TOE framework in other domain.
Copyright © 2012 Khairina Rosli, Paul H.P. Yeow and Eu-Gene Siew. This is an open access article distributed
under the Creative Commons Attribution License unported 3.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, provided that original work is properly cited. Contact author: Khairina Rosli
E-mail: khairina@uum.edu.my
Journal of Accounting and Auditing: Research & Practice 2
use of Enterprise Resource Planning and perception and use of CAATTs by auditors
Electronic Data Interchange. Traditional varies considerably in different organization
auditing such as auditing around the sizes and industries such as government,
computer to check printed documents public accounting firms and financial
manually, has progressively changed to institutions (Debreceny, et al., 2005). More
auditing with the computer and auditing than half of internal auditors in United
through the computer. Auditor are now Kingdom utilize CAATTs with less than 10%
moving to audit the information technology/ of their hours worked. Yet, there is
information systems (IT/IS) used in business improvement in CAATTs usage over time,
operations. Therefore, integrating IT in audit, where 67% of the internal auditors increase
i.e. CAATTs will enhance the audit firms’ the use of CAATTs up to 50% (Mahzan &
competitiveness and effectiveness of audit Lymer, 2009). While auditors recognized the
services (IFAC, 2011). ability of CAATTs to improve audit
effectiveness and efficiency, they believed
Performing audit procedures efficiently and they did not get the full benefits due to
effectively are important to auditors in technical problems (Braun & Davis, 2003).
ensuring financial statements are free from Moreover, auditors are confident with basic
fraud and comply with the standards of CAATTs task but not in more complex
accounting and auditing such as the situations. On the contrary, in other research,
International Standards of Auditing (ISAs) by some auditors who possess low level of audit
International Auditing and Assurance IT knowledge, perceived that advanced
Standard Board (IIASB). Auditors are also technologies in audit as less important in
responsible to ensure the effectiveness of an audit work (Ismail & Abidin, 2009).
organization’s internal control under the Characteristics of individual such as risk
compliance of Section 404 of Sarbanes-Oxley taker versus risk-averse also affects audit
Act (Janvrin, Lowe & Bierstaker, 2009; Hall, technology implementation decision (Curtis
2004). CAATTs are audit technologies that & Payne, 2008). These previous studies,
aid in efficiency and effectiveness of audit job nonetheless, focus the acceptance of
by automating manual audit activities (Curtis computerized audit from individual auditor’s
& Payne, 2008; Braun & Davis, 2003). perception.
Computerized audit reduces audit cost
incurred and improves the audit quality and Literature Review
productivity (Banker, Chang & Kao, 2002).
Most of the prior literatures are on CAATTs
The demand for reliable, relevant and timely
adoption by individual auditor (Mahzan &
audit result could be fulfilled with the help of
Lymer, 2009; Braun & Davis, 2003; Janvrin et
CAATTs. Much of time consumed to perform
al., 2008). Braun and Davis (2003) survey
audit tasks manually that are burdening
CAATTs usage and satisfaction among states
auditors, could be lessened with the use of
governmental auditors. The results reveal
CAATTs. Moreover, auditor may have more
that auditors acknowledged the potential
time to consult clients or organizations with
benefits of CAATTs; nevertheless, they
wider range of consultation services such as
demonstrated an inferior confidence in
assess business risks, develop prevention
handling the audit software applications due
controls and measure client’s business
to their technical capabilities and CAATTs
performance (Bierstaker, Burnaby &
technical problems. Concerning their level of
Thibodeau, 2001).
IT skills, auditors desired for CAATTs
training to boost their usage confidence level
Despite the benefits of CAATTs and efforts of
and to be more satisfied in performing their
accounting professional bodies to help
job.
promoting the implementation of
computerized audit advancement among Pertaining to auditors’ technical skills, Ismail
organizations, the present adoption, and Abidin (2009) explore auditors’
Journal of Accounting and Auditing: Research & Practice 4
Adapted from Venkatesh et al. (2003), this H4: Auditor’s intention to use CAATTs will be
research defines effort expectancy as the affected by facilitating surrounding.
degree of easiness that individual auditor
feels when using CAATTs. System’s ease of UTAUT2 (Venkatesh et al., 2012) has
use is found as the core motivation for extended UTAUT with inclusion of hedonic
management accounting technological motivation as one of the contributing factors
adoption (Smith et al., 2008). Ease of use influencing user’s intention to use a
characteristic of a technology positively technology. Hedonic motivation is the
affects user’s behavioural intention to use a perceived pleasure or elegant stylish feeling
system and consequently it would influence that an auditor feels when using CAATTs.
the system’s actual usage (Venkatesh et al., Logically, if the auditor feels that using
2003). A user would have intention CAATTs in audit work is ‘cool’ and has a great
behaviour to adopt a technology if he/she pleasure in using CAATTs features, functions
believes that the technology would help and interface, then the auditor’s intention to
him/her to accomplish tasks without use CAATTs would also increase.
difficulty. In audit context, Banker et al. Accordingly, the following hypothesis is
(2002) found that automated accounting established:
report makes auditors’ judgement process
easier than manual report. Thus, it is H5: Auditor’s intention to use CAATTs will be
hypothesized that: affected by hedonic motivation.
H2: Auditor’s intention to use CAATTs will be This study posits that individual auditor’s
influenced by effort expectancy. intention to use CAATTs would affect audit
firm’s intention to adopt CAATTs. This is due
UTAUT and UTAUT2 studies found that social to the fact that audit firms’ credibility and
influence significantly affect user’s performance depend on their employees
behavioural intention to use a technology (auditors) to accomplish audit assignment
(Venkatesh et al., 2003). In CAATTs adoption for client (Curtis & Payne, 2008). If auditors
context, this study defines social influence as believe that they should adopt CAATTs to
the degree of encouragement from other help them accomplish audit investigations,
people that influence an auditor to adopt they will influence audit firm’s management
CAATTs. Hence, it is anticipated that: to adopt CAATTs. Hence, it is anticipated
that:
H3: Auditor’s intention to use CAATTs will be
affected by social influence. H6: Audit firm’s intention to use CAATTs will
be influenced by individual auditor’s
Facilitating surrounding as adapted from intention to use CAATTs.
Venkatesh et al. (2003) is defined as the
degree to which auditor believes that Technological Influences: CAATTs Cost-
physical facilities and technical benefit, CAATTs Risk and CAATTs Task Fit
infrastructure in public auditing firm are well
provided to support auditor’s technology When adopting accounting software package,
usage. Facilitating surrounding is important technology characteristic such as price, easy
measures for an effective IT adoption in to use, availability of backup recovery,
common (Venkatesh et al., 2012). Studies guidance and tutorial must be well-thought-
have found that organizational infrastructure out (Rushinek & Rushinek, 1995). In addition
and technological support affect individual to that, cost effective use of technology is also
auditor’s decision to use CAATTs (Janvrin et important to be measured because it is an
al., 2009; Mahzan & Lymer, 2009). Hence, it is indicator to the performance of the
anticipated that: technology (Tan, Teo & Lai, 2011). Therefore,
it is anticipated that:
7 Journal of Accounting and Auditing: Research & Practice
H7: Audit firm’s intention to use CAATTs will medium sized audit firms (Janvrin,
be affected by cost-benefits of CAATTs. Bierstaker & Low, 2008). Hence, it is
anticipated that:
All investment not only involves cost but also
risks, as expenditure is incurred in exchange H10: Audit firm’s intention to use CAATTs
to a long-run benefits and return (Tiernan & will be affected by audit firm’s size.
Peppard, 2004). Implementing technology
could be risky as the firm may face computer Firm’s readiness can be depicted by the
threats and vulnerabilities which lead to firm’s financial and technical resources
dissatisfaction in use (Hall, 2004; Romney & (Iacovou, Benbasat & Dexter, 1995). These
Steinbart, 2006). Improper use of CAATTs resources are used to promote organization’s
could lead to audit inaccuracy and it could readiness by preparing the organization with
affect firm’s intention to use the technology. technological equipment and creating
Therefore, it is anticipated that: working atmosphere to support technology
acceptance. As asserted by Curtis and Payne
H8: Audit firm’s intention to use CAATTs will (2008), if public accounting firm has a
be negatively affected by risks of CAATTs. pressure on its budget, it would create a
possibility of technology resistance in the
CAATTs’ Task-technology fit is the degree of firm. Readiness among public accounting
match between CAATTs technology and tasks firms varies in meeting new challenges.
that need to be performed in audit. Firms that offer new services to customers
Technology task fit is reflected by the are more ready for new challenges (Salleh,
interaction between task complexity Rose, Kumar & Peng, 2007). Hence, it is
requirement (non-routines, hypothesized that:
interdependence, and job title), individual
abilities (training, experience, IT skills) and H11: Audit firm’s intention to use CAATTs
IT/IS functions. This study anticipates that will be affected by audit firm’s readiness.
the more CAATTs fit with audit task, the
more suitable the technology will be and Audit firm’s top management commitment is
therefore CAATTs would be more accepted the involvement and role played by person at
by audit firm. Prior study suggested that the top management level to encourage
suitability of a system use must be CAATTs adoption. Salleh et al. (2007) stated
considered for the system to be implemented that participation of top management in
in an organization (DeLone & McLean, 2003). public accounting firm’s ICT project has led
Furthermore, task and technology fit to an improved decision making process for
influence usage of IS (Goodhue & Thompson, technology acquisition and implementation
1995). Hence, it is posited that: in the firms. In the context of technology
adoption among auditors, firm’s partners
H9: Audit firm’s intention to use CAATTs will also play a great role in motivating their
be affected by CAATTs task-technology fit. employees to adopt audit technology (Curtis
& Payne, 2008). For that reason, the
Organizational Influences: Size, Readiness following hypothesis is established:
and Top Management Commitment
H12: Audit firm’s intention to use CAATTs
Organization’s size has been frequently will be affected by audit firm’s top
recognized as a precursor to technology management commitment.
acceptance (Zhu, Kremer & Xu, 2003). Larger Environmental Influences: Client’s AIS
firm may have more capital and human Complexity
resources to ensure that technology can be
well adopted. Big four audit firms’ acceptance Most of audit firms’ clients use AIS to record,
of technology usage is higher than small and process and disseminate accounting
Journal of Accounting and Auditing: Research & Practice 8
information to stake holders. Client’s AIS This is to explain whether firm’s intention to
must be audited to ensure that business use a technology will in turn affect firm’s
transactions are correctly processed and future or actual usage of the technology. At
reports are accurately generated. The higher user’s level of technology usage, Venkatesh et
business transactions take place, the more al, (2003) and Venkatesh et al, (2012) use
complex client’s AIS will be. Consequently, intention to use a technology as a predictor
the higher complexity of client’s AIS, the of actual usage of the technology. It is found
more necessary for audit firm to adopt that behavioural intention significantly
CAATTs to audit the client’s AIS. Therefore, influences actual usage. This leads to the
this study posits that client’s business following hypothesis:
complexity affects audit firm’s intention to
adopt CAATTs. H14: Audit firm’s intention to use CAATTs
H13: Audit firm’s intention to use CAATTs will influence audit firm’s actual usage of
will be affected by client’s AIS complexity. CAATTs.
Audit firm’s actual usage of CAATTs is the Figure 1 depicts the research conceptual
ultimate dependent variable in this study. framework.
(T) (O)
Technological Organizational
Influences Influences
• Technology Cost- • Size
Benefit • Readiness
• Technology Risk • Top Management
• Technology-Task Support
(I) Fit
(E)
Individual
Influences Environmental
• Performance H10-H12 Influences
Expectancy
• Effort Expectancy • Client’s AIS
• Social Influence Complexity
• Facilitating H7-H9
Surrounding
H13
H1-H5
H6
Auditor’s Firm’s Intention to
Intention to use Use CAATTs
H14
Firm’s Actual
Usage of CAATTs
Discussion and Future Research factors. Clients’ AIS complexity, audit firm’s
readiness, top management commitment,
I-TOE framework provides more technology cost-benefit, risk and task-fit are
comprehensive views of CAATTs adoption. discussed to address the issue of CAATTs
Decision makers could evaluate the from organization viewpoint. This paper
acceptance of new audit technology in their adapts UTAUT2 and TOE framework as the
organization from every aspect of individual, fundamental theory. I-TOE framework will
technology, organization and external benefit public audit firms with the
environment. It is understood that by antecedents that they need to deliberate in
considering only one acceptance dimension adoption of CAATTs and to predict the
could not give sufficient assessment on acceptance of CAATTs in their organization.
technology adoption. The social nature in
technology adoption among firms infers that Acknowledgment
using individual based theory is
inappropriate (Parker & Castleman, 2007). Authors would like to thank Associate
Owners, managers and supervisors are the Professor Dr. Khalid S. Soliman, anonymous
individuals in firms that influence the reviewers and participants of 18th IBIMA
adoption decision but firms are also conference for their constructive comments
influenced by their social environment. and suggestions in improving this paper.
Depending on only one theory of either
UTAUT or TOE respectively could restrict the References
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Conclusion
Curtis, M. B. & Payne, E. A. (2008). “An
This paper aims to develop a new I-TOE Examination of Contextual Factors and
paradigm that contributes a comprehensive Individual Characteristics Affecting
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