Abstract:
The study aimed to identify the impact of electronic auditing on improving the quality of internal auditing in Palestinian public shareholding companies. The study was conducted on a sample of internal auditors, financial managers, and accountants working in companies listed on the Palestine Stock Exchange, totaling 49 companies. A questionnaire was distributed to 144 respondents to collect and analyze the data.
A descriptive-analytical approach was used in this study, where a questionnaire was developed to gather information from the targeted sample. The researcher employed the SPSS statistical software to analyze the data and draw conclusions.
The results showed that electronic auditing has a significant positive impact on improving the quality of internal auditing in Palestinian companies. It was found that electronic auditing notably contributes to various stages of the auditing process, including the planning stage, control tests, evidence collection, and data analysis. Some of the prominent applications of electronic auditing during these stages include designing audit strategies, assessing fraud risks, evaluating system effectiveness, and verifying the efficiency of internal controls. Additionally, the results revealed that electronic auditing enhances efficiency, reduces costs, improves financial data accuracy, and increases the objectivity of the evidence gathered.
Despite the considerable benefits of electronic auditing, some challenges were identified that may affect its effectiveness. These challenges include the need for auditors to possess advanced technical skills. Furthermore, there are concerns about reducing the need for some employees due to automation and the increasing reliance on technology, which may impact creativity and human skills in auditing.
The results of hypothesis testing showed no statistically significant differences between demographic variables (such as gender, age, and educational qualifications) and the role of electronic auditing. However, statistically significant differences were observed in some variables, such as age, job title, and experience, indicating that these factors influence the evaluation of the role of electronic auditing in improving the quality of internal auditing. Furthermore, the study did not find any significant statistical impact of company size or sector type on the use of electronic auditing.
Based on the results, the study concluded with several important recommendations. First, continuous training programs for internal auditors, especially in electronic auditing, should be strengthened to enhance their skills and improve the effectiveness of the auditing process. Second, companies should invest resources in advanced electronic auditing systems and software to improve the efficiency and quality of internal auditing processes. Third, clear standards and procedures for implementing electronic auditing should be established in line with global best practices to ensure transparency and efficiency in the work. Finally, the increased use of advanced data analytics tools should be encouraged to improve the accuracy and objectivity of electronic auditing results, thus contributing to the improvement of decision-making based on these results.
