A new poll of 200 finance leaders at middle-market companies by BDO USA has found that clients increasingly expect their audit firms to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to aid the audit process. Sixty-three percent of senior finance leaders say trust is somewhat or significantly enhanced for them and their key stakeholders when auditors use advanced technology, and 64% say they look for a firm to use AI before even engaging with an auditor. However, the report also indicates that companies believe working with experienced, effective audit professionals is just as important as ever, even with the advent of new technologies. “We know that innovations like AI are reshaping the audit landscape, but it’s essential that we understand finance leaders’ top priorities and challenges in this shift,” said Demetrios Frangiskatos, BDO’s national managing principal of assurance operations. “What we learned validated the critical importance of aligning audit technology with client needs and underscored the demand for auditors who can skillfully leverage these tools to maintain and enhance audit quality. By understanding these needs and expectations, we can help ensure that audit quality and trust remain at the forefront as the profession evolves.”
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