Author

  • Nor Haliza Che Hussain

    • Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Terengganu, Kampus Dungun, Malaysia
    • Malaysia
  • Chin Wai Yin

    • Faculty of Accountancy and Management, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia
    • Malaysia
  • Lim Wan Leng

    • Faculty of Accountancy and Management, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia
    • Malaysia
  • Lai Siew Fong

    • Faculty of Accountancy and Management, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia
    • Malaysia
  • Hen Kai Wah

    • Tunghai University, Taiwan
    • Taiwan, Province of China

Abstract

This study examines the current adoption of Audit Data Analytics (ADA) among external auditors in Malaysia and explores their perceptions regarding adoption plans, perceived opportunities, and challenges associated with ADA implementation. While ADA has the potential to transform traditional audit practices, its adoption remains inconsistent across audit firms, raising concerns about readiness and perceived benefits. A quantitative survey methodology was adopted, using a structured questionnaire distributed to external auditors from audit firms in Klang Valley, Penang, and Johor. A total of 221 responses were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and reliability assessments via SPSS. The findings reveal that while many firms recognize the benefits of ADA, such as improved audit quality and greater transaction testing capabilities, actual adoption levels vary significantly across audit areas. Key challenges identified include client concerns over data confidentiality, insufficient ADA expertise, and inadequate technological infrastructure. This study contributes to current literature by providing empirical insights into ADA adoption within Malaysia’s external auditing sector, an area previously underexplored. The findings offer practical implications for audit firms, regulators, and professional bodies seeking to promote ADA adoption and advance digital transformation in the auditing profession .

Keywords

References

  • Brown, J. D. (2002). The Cronbach's alpha reliability estimate. JALT Testing & Evaluation SIG Newsletter, 6(1), 17-18. https://hosted.jalt.org/test/bro_13.htm
  • Brown-Liburd, H., & Vasarhelyi, M. A. (2015). Big data and audit evidence. Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, 12(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.2308/jeta-10454
  • Chávez-Díaz, J. M., Aquiño-Perales, L., De-Velazco-Borda, J. L., Villagómez-Chinchay, J. A., & Flores-Sotelo, W. S. (2024). Artificial intelligence in accounting and auditing: bibliometric analysis in Scopus 2020-2023. Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 36(2), 1319–1328. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijeecs.v36.i2.pp1319-1328
  • Eilifsen, A., Kinserdal, F., Messier, W. F., & McKee, T. E. (2020). An exploratory study into the use of audit data analytics on audit engagements. Accounting Horizons, 34(4), 85–110. https://doi.org/10.2308/acch-19-121
  • Ellili, N., Nobanee, H., Haddad, A. E., Alodat, A. Y., & AlShalloudi, M. (2024). Emerging trends in forensic accounting research: Bridging research gaps and prioritizing new frontiers. Journal of Economic Criminology, 4, 1–17.
  • Hair, J. F. Jr., Babin, B., Money, A. H., & Samouel, P. (2003). Essentials of business research methods. John Wiley & Sons.
  • Hanfy, F., Alakkas, A. A., & Alhumoudi, H. (2024). Analyzing the role of digitalization and its impact on auditing. Multimed Tools Appl 84, 21203–21225. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11042-024-19729-0
  • Jacky, T. S. T., & Sulaiman, N. A. (2022). Audit data analytics adoption in Malaysian auditing practice: Benefits, challenges and current practices. Universiti Malaya Research Repository.
  • Liew, A., Boxall, P., & Setiawan, D. (2022). The transformation to data analytics in Big-Four financial audit: What, why and how?. Pacific Accounting Review, 34(4), 569–584. https://doi.org/10.1108/PAR-06-2021-0105.
  • Mugwira, T. (2022). Internet-related technologies in the auditing profession: A WOS bibliometric review of the past three decades and conceptual structure mapping. Revista de Contabilidad-Spanish Accounting Review, 25(2), 201–216. https://doi.org/10.6018/rcsar.428041
  • Mustafa Airout, R., Abu Azam, S., & Airout, M. (2024). Bibliometric insights into the intellectual dynamics of forensic accounting research. Cogent Business and Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2344748
  • Salijeni, G., Samsonova-Taddei, A., & Turley, S. (2019). Big data and changes in audit technology: Contemplating a research agenda. Accounting and Business Research, 49(1), 95–119. https://doi.org/10.1080/00014788.2018.1459458
  • Vitali, S., & Giuliani, M. (2024). Emerging digital technologies and auditing firms: Opportunities and challenges. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 53, 100676. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accinf.2024.100676

Downloads

No downloads have been recorded for this article yet. Figures appear here once readers begin downloading the full text.

How to Cite

Che Hussain, N. H., Yin, C. W., Leng, L. W., Fong, L. S., & Wah, H. K. (2025). Exploring the Adoption of Audit Data Analytics Among External Auditors in Malaysia. Information Management and Business Review, 17(2(I)S), 84-96. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v17i2(I)S.4568

Share this article

Section

Research Paper

Published

2025-08-10

Submissions

Have research to publish? Information Management and Business Review welcomes submissions.

Make a Submission