The Key Points To Note Regarding IT Auditing

By Daniel Roberts


Auditing is basically a thorough review and evaluation of books of accounts. All companies either private or public keep some sorts of financial records. The records are supposed to be prepared by the company accountant. It is not the work of the auditor to maintain proper books of accounts but the company accountant. IT auditing is basically an audit of a company IT systems, operations, management and related processes.

IT audit is simply defined or known as examination that encompasses or comprises of review and also evaluation of all automated information systems. The audit also reviews non-automated processes and also the interfaces among them. Before any audit is done planning should be done. Planning for IT audit usually involves the following two major steps.

First and foremost, an auditor is required to gather enough information and carry out some planning. The second step is gaining a good understanding of all existing internal control structures. Many organizations today are embracing risk based audit concept or approach. This approach is used to simply assess risk and also help an information technology auditor make informed decision.

There are several objectives pertaining to information technology audit. The objectives include the following. Evaluating data reliability from IT systems which could be having some impact on financial statements of organizations is one of the objectives. The other objective is ascertaining the level and extent of compliance with existing applicable laws, standards and policies with regards to information technology.

The risk assessment decisions made here by auditors will assist companies make cost benefit analysis basically of control to all the known risks. When gathering the information to use for your auditing process, auditors will be required to identify the following five items. Identify and understand knowledge of business and also industry.

First and foremost, it is vital for an auditor to ensure that their firm has adequate resources to finish the IT audit. Auditors should consider the amount of work to be done and match the work with the available manpower. Auditors are recommended not to solicit for work as it is against the working code of conduct. Auditors should uphold professionalism of highest degree at all times.

IT audits are very important since they provide assurance to companies that information systems are properly protected. The audit will also provide reasonable assurance to the users of IT systems that the information they get from the system is reliable. The system should also be managed properly to achieve the organizational intended benefits.

Thumb drivers can also be stolen or in some cases misappropriated making the system to produce wrong data or information. Inherent risks are known to exist independently of such audits. The risks can occur simply because of the business nature. The auditor should identify the following items to make it easy for him to understand internal control structure that exist already.

The following items should be identified, control environment, detecting risk assessment, control procedures among others. The following are also worth noting that is control risk assessment and equate total risk. Once IT auditor has necessary information which is sufficient enough, they can commence the planning process. Areas to be audited need to be selected by the auditor.




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