The COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for audits as the world changed how
most of us work and businesses operate. Before the pandemic, people went to the office
and had in-person face-to-face meetings. Physical invoices and check payments were
received. If a copy was needed, it was easily done with a press of a button on the copier.
Since the pandemic, people are working from home, and virtual meetings are held.
Invoices are emailed and electronic payments are required. Auditors have also changed
the way they are working. They are working remotely instead of at the client’s locations
and virtual meetings are conducted to discuss the audit with other colleagues or with the
client. Technology companies needed to enhance and strengthen their programs to
accommodate the demand of the world as business stand-alone servers are few as they
shift to storing data in the cloud. What is concerning is to me the technology. Is the
technology we have today able to handle any cyberattacks of tomorrow? It appears that
we are one step behind after the cyberattack happen. For example, during Covid, my
previous employer was attacked with ransomware. Their system was down for 1-1/2
months which disrupted their business tremendously. Technology companies such as
Microsoft consistently are upgrading or updating their system. With my current employer,
it seems that every time an upgrade or update is completed, we issue with our system.
Either a custom report is no longer working or the data warehouse is missing data.
Deloitte. (2022, February 23). 2022 audit committee agenda: ESG, cyber risk, digital
finance. Retrieved from https://deloitte.wsj.com/articles/2022-audit-committee-
agenda-esg-cyber-risk-digital-finance-01645639384
Lynch, E. (2021, May 19). Trends shaping the future of audit. Retrieved from
https://info.kpmg.us/news-perspectives/advancing-the-profession/trends-shaping-
the-future-of-audit.html
