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Abstract
The purpose of this research is to explore the historical evolution of auditing practices and principles, examining the influences of economic, technological, and regulatory factors. A comprehensive review of literature spanning ancient civilizations to modern-day developments provides insights into the dynamic nature of auditing over time. The research design and methodology involve a systematic analysis of scholarly articles, historical texts, and regulatory documents to trace the evolution of auditing from its rudimentary origins to its contemporary multidimensional framework. Findings reveal significant milestones, including the establishment of professional accounting bodies, regulatory reforms such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and technological innovations like data analytics and blockchain technology, which have shaped auditing standards and practices. The discussion delves into the implications of these findings, emphasizing the need for continued research and interdisciplinary collaboration to address emerging challenges and stakeholder expectations. The implications of this research extend to academia, practice, and policy, highlighting the importance of understanding auditing's historical context in informing decision-making, policy development, and professional development initiatives.
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References
- Abbott, L. J., Parker, S., & Peters, G. F. (2004). Audit committee characteristics and restatements. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 23(1), 69-87. https://doi.org/10.2308/aud.2004.23.1.69
- Alles, M., Kogan, A., & Vasarhelyi, M. A. (2018). Assurance in the age of robotics: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, 15(2), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.2308/jeta-51918
- Alles, M., Kogan, A., & Vasarhelyi, M. A. (2018). Big data in accounting: An overview. Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, 15(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.2308/jeta-51833
- Arens, A. A., Elder, R. J., & Beasley, M. S. (2019). Auditing and assurance services. Boston, MA: Pearson.
- Arens, A. A., Elder, R. J., & Beasley, M. S. (2019). Auditing and assurance services (17th ed.). Pearson.
- Barth, M. E., Landsman, W. R., & Lang, M. (2008). International accounting standards and accounting quality. Journal of Accounting Research, 46(3), 467-498. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-679X.2008.00287.x
- Barth, M. E., Landsman, W. R., & Lang, M. H. (2008). International accounting standards and accounting quality. Journal of Accounting Research, 46(3), 467-498. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-679x.2008.00287.x
- Carnegie, G. D., & Napier, C. J. (2012). Traditional accountants and business professionals: Portraits from an accounting history textbook. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 25(3), 502-547. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513571211222347
- Carnegie, G. D., & Napier, C. J. (2012). Traditional accountants and business professionals: Portraying the accounting profession after Enron. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 37(5), 343-360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aos.2012.04.004
- Cascarino, R. (2018). Forensic accounting and finance: Principles and practice. John Wiley & Sons.
- Chandler, A. D. (1977). The visible hand: The managerial revolution in American business. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
- DeFond, M. L., & Lennox, C. S. (2017). Do PCAOB inspections improve the quality of internal control audits? Journal of Accounting Research, 55(2), 521-561. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-679x.12144
- Dye, R. A. (1988). Earnings management and the revelation principle. Contemporary Accounting Research, 5(2), 415-428. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1911-3846.1988.tb00753.x
- Ebirim, C. (2024). The dynamic landscape of corporate auditing in the United States: A technological and regulatory perspective. Journal of Accounting Research, 52(3), 409-426. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-679X.12432
- Fogarty, T. J. (2020). Environmental, social, and governance assurance. Wiley.
- Gendron, Y., Bedard, J., & Gosselin, M. (2019). Field research in auditing: Overview and opportunities. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 38(4), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.2308/ajpt-52479
- Gendron, Y., Bedard, J., & Gosselin, M. (2019). The evolution of auditing: From the traditional approach to the future audit. Routledge.
- Gramling, A. A., Rittenberg, L. E., Johnstone, K. M., & Thibodeau, J. C. (2021). Auditing: A risk-based approach to conducting a quality audit (12th ed.). Cengage Learning.
- Hoffman, W. H., & Zeff, S. A. (2020). Accounting ethics: Research, professional, and practical implications. Routledge.
- IAASB. (2020). Using automated tools and techniques in audit and assurance projects. International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. https://www.iaasb.org/publications/staff-audits-of-automated-tools-and-techniques-audit-and-assurance-projects
- IAASB. (2021). The evolving role of the auditor in company reporting of the future. International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. https://www.iaasb.org/publications/evolving-role-auditor-company-reporting-future
- Jensen, M. C., & Meckling, W. H. (1976). Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure. Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305-360. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-405x(76)90026-x
- Jones, C. E. (2018). Auditing in ancient Mesopotamia: An early case of "irreducible uncertainty." Accounting Historians Journal, 45(2), 149-174. https://doi.org/10.2308/0148-4184-45.2.149
- Knechel, W. R., & Vanstraelen, A. (2021). The effect of SOX on audit fees: Evidence from European firms. Contemporary Accounting Research, 38(3), 1711-1741. https://doi.org/10.1111/1911-3846.12650
- Matthews, M. (2006). Changes in auditing techniques in Britain: A historical perspective. Accounting History, 11(2), 123-146. https://doi.org/10.1177/1032373206064761
- Mautz, R. K., & Sharaf, H. A. (1961). The philosophy of auditing. The Journal of Accountancy, 113(1), 59-82.
- Mautz, R. K., & Sharaf, H. A. (1961). The philosophy of auditing. American Accounting Association.
- Ng, A., Truong, C., Evans, E., & Pham, H. (2021). Environmental, social, and governance assurance: Evidence from Australian audit reports. Accounting & Finance, 61(2), 2685-2716. https://doi.org/10.1111/acfi.12774
- Pickett, K. H. (2019). Auditing after Enron: Lessons for public policy. Oxford University Press.
- Pucheta-Martínez, M. C., & Gallego-Álvarez, I. (2021). Integrated reporting in assurance: A systematic review. Sustainability, 13(10), 5620. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105620
- Puttick, G. (2004). Principles and practices of auditing. Cengage Learning EMEA.
- Rittenberg, L. E., Johnstone, K. M., & Gramling, A. A. (2016). Auditing: A business risk approach (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
- SASB. (2021). The sustainability accounting standards board. https://www.sasb.org/
- Simnett, R., Vanstraelen, A., & Chua, W. F. (2021). Assurance on integrated reporting: A synthesis of insights. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 40(1), 287-317. https://doi.org/10.2308/ajpt-18-1297
- Simnett, R., Vanstraelen, A., & Chua, W. F. (2021). Integrated reporting: Review, critique, and research directions. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 40(1), 307-363. https://doi.org/10.2308/ajpt-52621
- Singleton, T. W., & Singleton, A. J. (2010). Fraud auditing and forensic accounting. John Wiley & Sons.
- TCFD. (2020). Recommendations of the task force on climate-related financial disclosures. Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. https://www.fsb-tcfd.org/
- Vasarhelyi, M. A., & Kogan, A. (2017). Continuous auditing of big data: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, 14(1), 109-118. https://doi.org/10.2308/jeta-51677
- Vasarhelyi, M. A., & Kogan, A. (2017). Continuous auditing: A research synthesis and opportunities for future research. Journal of Accounting Literature, 38, 43-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acclit.2017.06.002
- Whittington, R. (2000). The role of the public accountant in the American economy: Professional standards and legal liability. Oxford University Press.
- Zhang, Y. (2021). International financial reporting standards and audit fees: Evidence from IFRS adoption. Journal of International Accounting Research, 20(2), 61-79. https://doi.org/10.2308/jiar-53050
References
Abbott, L. J., Parker, S., & Peters, G. F. (2004). Audit committee characteristics and restatements. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 23(1), 69-87. https://doi.org/10.2308/aud.2004.23.1.69
Alles, M., Kogan, A., & Vasarhelyi, M. A. (2018). Assurance in the age of robotics: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, 15(2), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.2308/jeta-51918
Alles, M., Kogan, A., & Vasarhelyi, M. A. (2018). Big data in accounting: An overview. Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, 15(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.2308/jeta-51833
Arens, A. A., Elder, R. J., & Beasley, M. S. (2019). Auditing and assurance services. Boston, MA: Pearson.
Arens, A. A., Elder, R. J., & Beasley, M. S. (2019). Auditing and assurance services (17th ed.). Pearson.
Barth, M. E., Landsman, W. R., & Lang, M. (2008). International accounting standards and accounting quality. Journal of Accounting Research, 46(3), 467-498. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-679X.2008.00287.x
Barth, M. E., Landsman, W. R., & Lang, M. H. (2008). International accounting standards and accounting quality. Journal of Accounting Research, 46(3), 467-498. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-679x.2008.00287.x
Carnegie, G. D., & Napier, C. J. (2012). Traditional accountants and business professionals: Portraits from an accounting history textbook. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 25(3), 502-547. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513571211222347
Carnegie, G. D., & Napier, C. J. (2012). Traditional accountants and business professionals: Portraying the accounting profession after Enron. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 37(5), 343-360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aos.2012.04.004
Cascarino, R. (2018). Forensic accounting and finance: Principles and practice. John Wiley & Sons.
Chandler, A. D. (1977). The visible hand: The managerial revolution in American business. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
DeFond, M. L., & Lennox, C. S. (2017). Do PCAOB inspections improve the quality of internal control audits? Journal of Accounting Research, 55(2), 521-561. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-679x.12144
Dye, R. A. (1988). Earnings management and the revelation principle. Contemporary Accounting Research, 5(2), 415-428. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1911-3846.1988.tb00753.x
Ebirim, C. (2024). The dynamic landscape of corporate auditing in the United States: A technological and regulatory perspective. Journal of Accounting Research, 52(3), 409-426. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-679X.12432
Fogarty, T. J. (2020). Environmental, social, and governance assurance. Wiley.
Gendron, Y., Bedard, J., & Gosselin, M. (2019). Field research in auditing: Overview and opportunities. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 38(4), 1-24. https://doi.org/10.2308/ajpt-52479
Gendron, Y., Bedard, J., & Gosselin, M. (2019). The evolution of auditing: From the traditional approach to the future audit. Routledge.
Gramling, A. A., Rittenberg, L. E., Johnstone, K. M., & Thibodeau, J. C. (2021). Auditing: A risk-based approach to conducting a quality audit (12th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Hoffman, W. H., & Zeff, S. A. (2020). Accounting ethics: Research, professional, and practical implications. Routledge.
IAASB. (2020). Using automated tools and techniques in audit and assurance projects. International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. https://www.iaasb.org/publications/staff-audits-of-automated-tools-and-techniques-audit-and-assurance-projects
IAASB. (2021). The evolving role of the auditor in company reporting of the future. International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. https://www.iaasb.org/publications/evolving-role-auditor-company-reporting-future
Jensen, M. C., & Meckling, W. H. (1976). Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs and ownership structure. Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305-360. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-405x(76)90026-x
Jones, C. E. (2018). Auditing in ancient Mesopotamia: An early case of "irreducible uncertainty." Accounting Historians Journal, 45(2), 149-174. https://doi.org/10.2308/0148-4184-45.2.149
Knechel, W. R., & Vanstraelen, A. (2021). The effect of SOX on audit fees: Evidence from European firms. Contemporary Accounting Research, 38(3), 1711-1741. https://doi.org/10.1111/1911-3846.12650
Matthews, M. (2006). Changes in auditing techniques in Britain: A historical perspective. Accounting History, 11(2), 123-146. https://doi.org/10.1177/1032373206064761
Mautz, R. K., & Sharaf, H. A. (1961). The philosophy of auditing. The Journal of Accountancy, 113(1), 59-82.
Mautz, R. K., & Sharaf, H. A. (1961). The philosophy of auditing. American Accounting Association.
Ng, A., Truong, C., Evans, E., & Pham, H. (2021). Environmental, social, and governance assurance: Evidence from Australian audit reports. Accounting & Finance, 61(2), 2685-2716. https://doi.org/10.1111/acfi.12774
Pickett, K. H. (2019). Auditing after Enron: Lessons for public policy. Oxford University Press.
Pucheta-Martínez, M. C., & Gallego-Álvarez, I. (2021). Integrated reporting in assurance: A systematic review. Sustainability, 13(10), 5620. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105620
Puttick, G. (2004). Principles and practices of auditing. Cengage Learning EMEA.
Rittenberg, L. E., Johnstone, K. M., & Gramling, A. A. (2016). Auditing: A business risk approach (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
SASB. (2021). The sustainability accounting standards board. https://www.sasb.org/
Simnett, R., Vanstraelen, A., & Chua, W. F. (2021). Assurance on integrated reporting: A synthesis of insights. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 40(1), 287-317. https://doi.org/10.2308/ajpt-18-1297
Simnett, R., Vanstraelen, A., & Chua, W. F. (2021). Integrated reporting: Review, critique, and research directions. Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, 40(1), 307-363. https://doi.org/10.2308/ajpt-52621
Singleton, T. W., & Singleton, A. J. (2010). Fraud auditing and forensic accounting. John Wiley & Sons.
TCFD. (2020). Recommendations of the task force on climate-related financial disclosures. Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. https://www.fsb-tcfd.org/
Vasarhelyi, M. A., & Kogan, A. (2017). Continuous auditing of big data: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, 14(1), 109-118. https://doi.org/10.2308/jeta-51677
Vasarhelyi, M. A., & Kogan, A. (2017). Continuous auditing: A research synthesis and opportunities for future research. Journal of Accounting Literature, 38, 43-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acclit.2017.06.002
Whittington, R. (2000). The role of the public accountant in the American economy: Professional standards and legal liability. Oxford University Press.
Zhang, Y. (2021). International financial reporting standards and audit fees: Evidence from IFRS adoption. Journal of International Accounting Research, 20(2), 61-79. https://doi.org/10.2308/jiar-53050