|
|
By Richard B. Lanza, CPA, PMP
A free white paper, “Using Excel as an Audit Software,”
shows how Microsoft® Excel can analyze data as powerfully
as more expensive audit software packages. This white paper facilitates
using audit software, allowing auditors to focus on the more critical
activities of brainstorming new tests and improving clients’
business intelligence.
The white paper does not give an in-depth explanation of Microsoft
Excel concepts, but provides guidance on using the product’s
features in an audit setting. Although Excel has some limitations
(namely, it can only handle roughly 67,000 rows of data), it can
be used to easily filter records, join tables, look for duplicate
transactions, and complete complex analytical tests such as regression
analysis. All told, 22 tests are explained in an audit setting.
The white paper is available for free at the following link:
www.auditsoftware.net/community/excel/
We hope that the dissemination of this information will lead
to more analysis of audit software to prevent and proactively
detect organizational inefficiency, ineffectiveness, and fraud.
For more information on the use of software, and countless ways
of applying it to your audit, please see www.auditsoftware.net/community/
.
|
|
