Exploresearch (ISSN: 3048-815X) ( Vol. 03 | No. 2 | April - June, 2026 )

Recent Trends in Auditing

Author: Dr. Neelu Jain & Dr. Pooja Purohit

: In recent times, there has been tremendous change in the field of auditing. These changes emanate from technological advancement, regulatory reforms, and the changing expectations from the stakeholders of auditing professionals. In this chapter, the developments in the current audit environment are analyzed. The focus will be on the impact of technological advances such as the use of Artificial Intelligence and data analytics as well as the adoption of continuous auditing among other issues. Environmental, social, and governance concerns are becoming an increasingly important aspect of audit activity. There has been growing recognition of corporate responsibility within various organizations and the need for greater emphasis on sustainable development. The changing audit landscape requires greater scope of the audit process and new competencies for the practitioner. These concerns are addressed in this chapter in relation to the evolution of audit practice. As information technology becomes increasingly sophisticated, so too do the cybersecurity risks associated with it. It is incumbent upon the auditing professional to develop knowledge and competencies adequate to evaluate the organization's controls related to information systems as part of an audit. The use of blockchain technology poses its own set of challenges for audits. The use of remote auditing, made imperative by global conditions, has revolutionized approaches to engagement delivery models. Inspection methodologies, document review using electronic technology, and videoconferencing have become part and parcel of the auditor's repertoire. Issues pertaining to audit quality, independence, and professionalism still need to be tackled in this new environment. This chapter serves as an important tool that gives practitioners, students, and other interested parties a grasp of all these issues. It brings together relevant regulations, professional standards, and research findings into one cohesive picture of where the auditing profession is headed.

Jain, N. & Purohit, P. (2026). Recent Trends in Auditing. Exploresearch, 03(02), 175-189. https://doi.org/10.62823/ExRe/2026/03/02.231

  1. American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. (2023). SOC for cybersecurity guide: Reporting on an entity’s cybersecurity risk management program and controls. AICPA.
  2. Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. (2017). Enterprise risk management: Integrating with strategy and performance. COSO.
  3. European Commission. (2022). Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). European Union Publications Office.
  4. Global Reporting Initiative. (2021). GRI sustainability reporting standards. GRI.
  5. Institute of Internal Auditors. (2020). Global technology audit guide: Understanding and auditing big data. IIA.
  6. Institute of Internal Auditors. (2022). International professional practices framework (IPPF). IIA.
  7. International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. (2021). International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 315 (Revised 2019): Identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatement. IFAC.
  8. International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. (2020). International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 3000 (Revised): Assurance engagements other than audits or reviews of historical financial information. IFAC.
  9. International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. (2021). International Standard on Quality Management (ISQM) 1. IFAC.
  10. International Organization for Standardization. (2022). ISO/IEC 27001: Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection — Information security management systems. ISO.
  11. International Sustainability Standards Board. (2023). IFRS S1 General requirements for disclosure of sustainability-related financial information. IFRS Foundation.
  12. International Sustainability Standards Board. (2023). IFRS S2 Climate-related disclosures. IFRS Foundation.
  13. National Institute of Standards and Technology. (2024). Cybersecurity framework (CSF) 2.0. U.S. Department of Commerce.
  14. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. (2023). Spotlight: Staff priorities for inspections and interactions with audit committees. PCAOB.
  15. Sustainability Accounting Standards Board. (2021). SASB conceptual framework. SASB. Appelbaum, D., Kogan, A., & Vasarhelyi, M. A. (2017). Big data and analytics in the modern audit engagement: Research needs. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 36(4), 1–27.
  16. Alles, M. G. (2015). Drivers of the use and facilitators and obstacles of the evolution of big data by the audit profession. Accounting Horizons, 29(2), 439–449.
  17. Brown-Liburd, H., Issa, H., & Lombardi, D. (2015). Behavioral implications of big data’s impact on audit judgment and decision making. Accounting Horizons, 29(2), 451–468.
  18. Dai, J., & Vasarhelyi, M. A. (2017). Toward blockchain-based accounting and assurance. Journal of Information Systems, 31(3), 5–21.
  19. Porter, B., Simon, J., & Hatherly, D. (2014). Principles of external auditing (4th ed.). Wiley.
  20. Arens, A. A., Elder, R. J., & Beasley, M. S. (2022). Auditing and assurance services: An integrated approach (18th ed.). Pearson.
  21. Messier, W. F., Glover, S. M., & Prawitt, D. F. (2022). Auditing and assurance services: A systematic approach (12th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
  22. Knechel, W. R., & Salterio, S. E. (2016). Auditing: Assurance and risk (4th ed.). Routledge.
  23. Vasarhelyi, M. A., Kogan, A., & Tuttle, B. M. (2015). Big data in accounting: An overview. Accounting Horizons, 29(2), 381–396.
  24. Yoon, K., Hoogduin, L., & Zhang, L. (2015). Big data as complementary audit evidence. Accounting Horizons, 29(2), 431–438.

DOI:

Article DOI: 10.62823/ExRe/2026/03/02.231

Download Full Paper: