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Exploring perceptions of data analytics in the internal audit function

ABSTRACT The objective of our study is to understand the use of data analytics within the internal audit function (IAF) and to investigate the types of tools internal auditors use, given the large amounts of data available to them for analytic purposes. We interview the Chief Audit Executive (CAE) in six for-profit and six not-for-profit organizations across several industries, including manufacturing, government services, energy, banking, and higher education. Our intent was to gather descriptive information with respect to the IAF, as well as quantifiable responses to specific questions about the role of data analytics in each CAE’s IAF. Our findings indicate that CAEs value professional certifications and the use of data analytics in the IAF. CAEs report that they employ data analytics at different times and for different purposes and that they are dedicating a considerable amount of the IAF budget in support of data analytics. Our findings should be of interest to CAEs as they consider various possible tools and training to support data analytics within their organisations and to academics who wish to include data analytics courses or topics in the accounting and information systems curricula to prepare students for the workplace.