Technology assurance - data assurance

Data integrity is a key concern for all businesses. Businesses and auditors constantly make decisions based on the data held within the IT systems.

As systems become more complex and fundamental to the operation and direction of the business, the importance of the underlying data and the information it generates has never been greater. Organisations needs to feel confident that the information can be relied upon to make decisions, highlight opportunities and identify risks. We help our clients get comfort over their data and gain assurance that it meets their business needs.

Potential issues

  • You are not sure what data you have and where it is stored. Not knowing this could be putting you in breach of a number of data related regulations
  • Your business is reliant upon reports generated by systems that are not controlled by the central IT function (e.g. spreadsheets or user configured reports)
  • The quality of information generated by IT systems is not considered reliable, reflecting underlying difficulties with managing data
  • Systems are being replaced or upgraded and the complete and accurate transfer of good quality data is fundamental to the success of the implementation
  • Your business believes that it has the data to improve decision making but due to the volume, complexity or spread across systems, isn't getting the maximum value from it

We add value by identifying and managing data related risks through:

  • Reviewing the underlying data to ensure it is fit for purpose (reporting, decision making, analysis)
  • Identifying the business impacts of poor quality data
  • Designing auditable, supportable programs to analyse and aggregate data from disparate systems and sources to assist in providing information previously hidden from the organisation
  • Independently remodelling a client's business processes to provide comfort that they are operating as intended

We have extensive experience in:

  • Using technology through CAATs (Computer Assisted Auditing Techniques), across all areas of external audit including SAS99 / ISA 240
  • Data quality assessment and improvement
  • Building process reperformance models
  • Reviewing non core systems, e.g. spreadsheets
  • Review and support in respect of data migration projects
  • Developing and operating web based data capture, analysis and reporting solutions