Auditor Acceptance of Computer-Assisted Audit Techniques (CAATs)

Improving audit efficiency and effectiveness is the auditor's mantra, especially when it comes to auditing employee benefits plans. And for years, computer-assisted audit techniques (CAATs) have been recognized by several authorities, such as the AICPA and the IIA, as a best practice that will improve efficiency and effectiveness. Yet auditors are slow to implement these techniques in their day-to-day work. Why is that happening?

In this session, we will look at the four key factors that drive successful technology changes: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions. We will discuss best practices related specifically to employee benefit plan audits that will help ensure a successful launch of the tools that will bring greater efficiency and consistency to your EBP practice. Highlights include:

• Understand the four key factors that drive successful technology changes: performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, and facilitating conditions.
• Learn ways to measure your firm's strengths and weaknesses in these four areas as part of your pre-implementation strategy
• Discuss the benefits of full implementation versus phased implementation of new technologies to determine which type best fits your firm
• Here a first-hand account of a firm's implementation of CAAT's into their employee benefit plan assurance practice.