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Article
SOX 404(b) Audits: Evidence from Auditing the Financial Close Process of the Accounting System
Journal of Information Systems
  • Diane J. Janvrin, Iowa State University
  • Maureen F. Mascha, Purdue University
  • Melvin A. Lamboy-Ruiz, Georgia Southern University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Accepted Manuscript
Publication Date
12-1-2020
DOI
10.2308/isys-18-055
Abstract

Auditing Standard No. 5 requires that auditors integrate their evaluation of large issuers' internal control over financial reporting (ICFR) into their financial statement audit process, but the PCAOB warns that auditors may not adequately test related manual and systems internal controls. We use a multiple method approach to examine how auditors evaluate one important component of ICFR, the financial close process, and whether they evaluate it differently when conducting a SOX 404(b) integrated versus a financial statement audit. Interviewees relied heavily on walkthroughs, and tended to perform only cursory reviews of entity-level controls related to the financial close process. In addition, they often failed to test the link between the general ledger and supporting systems, including evaluating related access controls. Financial statement-only auditors were more likely to re-perform key controls than rely on cursory walkthroughs. Auditors performing integrated audits appeared to over-rely on ICFR findings when conducting financial statement audits.

Comments

This accepted article is published as Janvrin, D., M. Mascha, and M. Lamboy-Ruiz. 2020. SOX 404(b) Audits: Evidence from Auditing the Financial Close Process of the Accounting System, Journal of Information Systems (2020) 34 (3): 77–103. Doi:10.2308/isys-18-055. Posted with permission.

Copyright Owner
AAA Accounting Information Systems
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Diane J. Janvrin, Maureen F. Mascha and Melvin A. Lamboy-Ruiz. "SOX 404(b) Audits: Evidence from Auditing the Financial Close Process of the Accounting System" Journal of Information Systems Vol. 34 Iss. 3 (2020) p. 77 - 103
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/diane_janvrin/16/