Page 618 - ITGC_Audit Guides

GTAG — Introduction

of the data population being analyzed and intro-
duces efficiencies in verifying the accuracy of that
information.
• Audit risk
The use of data analysis can significantly reduce
audit risk by honing the risk assessment and strati-
fying the population.

Trends

There is increasing pressure on audit departments to do
more with less. Internal audit’s role is at the forefront as the
profession looks to provide more assurance and transpar-
ency to the audit committee and senior management around
everyday organizational activities. To accomplish this, the
current focus of many audit teams is to enhance the quality
of their work and effectiveness of the department using tech-
nology. They need to be more productive and better focused
on emerging risks. Audit teams also are seeking to deliver
timely value to the enterprise by distributing, tracking, and
escalating potential issues for better organizational insight
and control. 2

2 IIA Global Audit Information Network (GAIN) 2009 IT Audit
Benchmarking Survey.

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