The aim of this exploratory research study is to obtain the views of relevant stakeholders in relation to the impact big data analytics (BDA), artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics have had in Australia on the audit and assurance services market. Views are also sought on the impact or potential for impact of blockchain technologies. This paper reports findings from interviews and/or focus groups with 20 individuals representing key stakeholders in the market for audit and assurance services in Australia. Via a synthesis of these stakeholder perceptions and a review of the relevant accounting literature, the study finds that, overall, the impact of BDA, robotics and AI on auditing is seen as positive. BDA takes auditors away from manual, intensive tasks, and gives them more time to apply their minds and skills to more critical evaluation-type work or key audit judgements. Participants also highlighted the need for regulators and standard setters to keep on track with the fast-paced IT, automation evolution in the auditing field. Finally, and surprisingly given the attention surrounding blockchain technologies, the participants in this study seemed unconvinced of the application of blockchain technologies in auditing practice.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore audit procedure disclosures related to key audit risks, during the prior year and the initial year of the COVID-19 outbreak, by reporting on matters published in over 3,000 Australian statutory audit reports during 2019 and 2020. Design/methodology/approach This study partially uses latent semantic analysis methods to apply textual and readability analyses to external audit reports in Australia. The authors measure the tone of the audit reports using the Loughran and McDonald (2011) approach. Findings The authors find that 3% of audit procedures undertaken during 2020 were designed to address audit risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. As a percentage of total audit procedures undertaken during 2020, the authors find that smaller practitioners reported much less audit procedures related to COVID-19 audit risks than most larger audit firms. Finally, the textual analysis further found differences in the sentiment or tone of words used by different auditors in 2020, but differences in sentiment or tone were not found when 2020 was compared to the prior year 2019. Originality/value This study provides early evidence on whether auditors designed audit procedures to deal specifically with audit risks that arose due to the COVID-19 pandemic and on the extent and nature of those audit procedures. The study will help policymakers to better understand whether Key Audit Matters provided informational value to investors during a time of global crisis.

Perovskite nanoparticle composite films with capability of high-resolution patterning (≥2 µm) and excellent resistance to various aqueous and organic solvents are prepared by in situ photosynthesis of acrylate polymers and formamidinium lead halide (FAPbX ) nanoparticles. Both positive- and negative-tone patterns of FAPbX nanoparticles are created by controlling the size exclusive flow of nanoparticles in polymer networks. The position of nanoparticles is spatially controlled in both lateral and vertical directions. The composite films show high photoluminescence quantum yield (up to 44%) and broad color tunability in visible region (λ = 465-630 nm).

2018 reports. The study provides the first evidence on whether auditors used the same or different disclosures related to audit procedures when reporting on the same KAM in the second year in Australia. The findings suggest the most common KAM disclosures are related to "impairments of goodwill and intangible assets," "revenue recognition," "asset valuation," "acquisitions," and "exploration and evaluation." Around 70% of Australian auditees had the same KAMs disclosed in both years 2017 and 2018. The study found differences between large and small audit practitioners related to the average number of KAMs disclosed and the average number of audit procedures undertaken per KAM. There were also differences found between industries and auditee size.