Using Data Visualization to Enhance the Quality of Audit

Many people tend to understand things better when it is presented graphically or with additional visuals rather than numerically. Those people include stakeholders that may need to use the data presented by auditors in a company or an organization. Luckily, this might no longer be an issue as we live in a new era where technology made everything easier. The existence of advanced technology has provided many opportunities for auditors to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of audits, one of them is the emergence of data visualization in audit reports.

Data visualization is the graphical display of data that helps summarize and present data in a simple way for people to understand. The use of data visualization in auditing allows auditors or companies to optimize and explore more about the details, recognize patterns or trends, review performance metrics, and know which information should be prepared or excluded. 

There are many types of data visualization. The most commonly used by auditors or people in general are the charts, tables, graphs, plots, dashboards, etc. Though it may vary, they still brought out the same benefits in giving information. Here is some of the benefits of using data visualization in auditing:

1. Bring Insights Faster.

Data visualization makes finding trends and identifying outliers much easier. It allows people to modify data into visual insights quickly and easily. The information aids in gaining a better understanding about a company's performance, what opportunities can be taken, and the risks that may arise. 

2. Make Smarter, Faster Decisions.

Not only easy to use, data visualization can help auditors make decisions faster. With visualizations that showcase real-time data in useful and enlightening ways, organizations can make quick data-driven choices. Thanks to the ability to analyze information and collaborate with others to spark insights, auditors will no longer rely on gut instinct to make quick judgements.

3. Empower Everyone with Advanced Analytics.

The whole organization can benefit from easy-to-use and interactive dashboard to develop deeper insights, discover new patterns and act on business opportunities.

4. Improve the Value of your Product or Service.

Despite the fact that data has enormous value, most people don’t have time or patience to master specialized business intelligence tool. By incorporating analytics into their business, people will find data more convenient and understandable.

5. Spend Less Time on Custom Analytics Requests.

Instead of writing custom codes for every audit reports, auditors can just focus on enabling visualizations to expand the meaning of the data and gives all the information for people.

Data visualization transforms the way auditors communicate with their audiences. Because of its existence, readers will be able to obtain essential or critical information more frequently. With the use of data visualization, auditors can make quicker decisions and improve audit outcomes so that it can be more insightful and understandable.



Sources

https://www.cpab-ccrc.ca/docs/default-source/thought-leadership-publications/data_analytics_tlp_en_20190401.pdf?sfvrsn=ac6110c3_22#:~:text=Data%20visualization%3A,data%20to%20tell%20a%20story.&text=Data%20visualizations%20are%20often%20used,to%20enhance%20audit%20committee%20communications.

Emery, A. K. (2014, May 1). The Data Visualization Design Process: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. Depict Data Studio. Retrieved June 12, 2021, from https://depictdatastudio.com/data-visualization-design-process-step-by-step-guide-for-beginners/

Team Audimation. (2019, September 11). Planning & Scoping Your Audit with Data Visualization. Retrieved June 12, 2021, from https://www.audimation.com/planning-scoping-your-audit-with-data-visualization/

TIBCO. (n.d.). Guide to Data Visualization. TIBCO Software. Retrieved June 12, 2021, from https://www.tibco.com/reference-center/guide-to-data-visualization