Data Science as a Catalyst for Audit Transformation

What the paper says

“In a world deluged by irrelevant information, clarity is power” Yuval Noah Harari, 2018 In the context of information society, digital transformation has led to an exponential growth in the production and storage of data, giving birth to what is known as data science, to address the need for new tools capable of smartly processing great volumes of data and transforming them into actionable information for decision-making in multiple environments. This scenario suggests that the old adagio by Hobbes (1651), “Information is Power” will soon be replaced by the newer “Clarity is Power” (Noah Harari, 2018) to more accurately convey the implications of a new model involving the management of data, information and knowledge. This is a unique opportunity for Superior Audit Institutions (SAIs) to exploit the potential offered by new technologies and the great amount of data generated within public agencies, and integrate them into their auditing processes to ensure a better management of public funds. Data science works as a catalyst for audit transformation, which strengthens SAIs’ independence while increasing public confidence and accountability. Data science methodologies can optimize audit processes, leading to audit reports of greater value, accuracy and scope, and more timely and relevant recommendations. High-quality reports foster a more effective and efficient public administration, having a significant impact in the improvement of citizens’ quality of life. Integrating data science into the auditing processes requires a roadmap that can guide SAIs in the use of these new tools.