The AICPA Assurance Services Executive Committee Emerging Assurance Technologies Task Force: The Audit Data Standards (ADS) Initiative

ABSTRACT Data acquisition difficulties have hindered the application of advanced audit technology and audit analytics, and accentuated the challenges to meet growing audit demands. To alleviate this problem, this paper discusses the main drivers to evolve the audit process: data standards, data access, audit applications, and continuous audit. As a joint effort between the AICPA and academia, this paper provides guidance and suggestions to internal and external auditors, as well as scholars to develop knowledge for leading edge practice (Kaplan 2011).