No abstract

Internal auditors are facing today's fast-paced business conditions that challenge them to implement adequate information technology and use analytical procedures as key audit techniques. Continuous technology improvement enables the development and application of analytical procedures that were unimaginable in the time of 'paper-based auditing'. The research idea is to investigate the level and improvements of analytical procedures by internal auditors working in contemporary business conditions in Croatia. Given that the advancement of technology supports the application of complex analytics, the investigated problem includes an analysis of coherence between available technology and applied analytical procedures. The importance of using analytical procedures can be confirmed by the positive effects these procedures have in internal auditing as they increase its effectiveness and efficiency. In relation to this, the research also includes an investigation of the level, differences and complexity of analytical procedures used in internal audit in order to determine the current state of and prospects for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of internal audit activity in Croatia. Considering the purpose and possibilities of analytical procedures, the research examines the extent to which, measured by the analytical procedures application level, internal audit functions in Croatia are adapting to contemporary business conditions and changing professional processes. The research issues are analyzed by using the theoretical overview, guidance provided by professional institutions, and the importance that internal auditing has as a corporate governance mechanism. The research will provide insights into whether and to what extent the required methodology is respected

Abstract:The objective of the conducted research includes examining importance of fi nancial statements and fi nancial statements analysis in business decision-making process. Conducted empirical research is focused on analysis of determining and evaluating the frequency of using accounting data and annual fi nancial statements within the business decision-making process. According to obtained results, it can be concluded that more than 60% of examines frequently use accounting information and information available from annual fi nancial statements within business decision-making process, and that they are familiar with methods of using technics of fi nancial statements analysis for purposes of evaluating fi nancial position and business effi ciency.

The future of work of both external and internal auditors is exciting and promising, as well as, in the same time, threatening and extremely demanding. The exciting and promising part is connected with lots of possibilities for auditors’ professional career developments and specialization, while the threatening and demanding part is directed towards the ongoing demand and need for continuous education and upgrading their knowledge base and skill sets in order to be able to stay up to date with all developments and changes in their and their clients’ internal and external surroundings. Today these surroundings are characterized by big data and usage of information and communication technologies (ICTs), among which the blockchain technology (BCT) is described as the most pervasive and promising one. This paper is primarily driven by the scarcity of literature and conducted scientific researches regarding the specialized educations and expertise that auditors need to attend and possess in order to be able to exist in the blockchain-based business environment. Therefore, the main research objective of this paper was to determine critical external and internal auditors’ expertise that they need to possess in order to be relevant and successful in the blockchain-based business environment. In order to achieve this main objective, desk research and survey research were conducted. Survey research was conducted on a sample of external and internal auditors in Croatia. In general, results of the empirical research showed that both external and internal auditors in Croatia think that they need to possess high level of expertise in advanced analytical procedures (APs) in order to be able to audit blockchain-based business operations. Consequently, this then instantaneously increases auditors’ demand for specialized education in fields of BCT, APs, and data analytics (DAs) in general.