CONTINUOUS AUDITING IN REAL TIME AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL ANNUAL ENTERPRISE AUDITS

Abstract

Introduction. The evolution of corporate governance and the digitalization of business processes necessitate increasing the efficiency and analytical value of audit systems, as the traditional annual audit model is gradually losing its effectiveness due to its limited ability to respond to financial deviations and risks in a timely manner.

The purpose of the study is to substantiate the conceptual principles for implementing continuous real-time audit as a tool for transforming an enterprise’s financial control system.

Materials and methods. The study’s materials include regulatory and legal acts, scientific works on the audit and digitalization of accounting and analytical processes, and practical data on the use of automated monitoring systems. The work uses methods of systematization, comparative analysis, logical modeling and generalization.

Results. It was established that a continuous real-time audit integrates automated data collection from the enterprise’s accounting systems, continuous analytical data processing using algorithms, prompt real-time deviation detection, and the formation of audit messages for management personnel. It is determined that the key components of continuous audit are constant monitoring of financial transactions, analytical risk assessment and automated generation of signals regarding critical deviations. It is substantiated that the use of continuous audit contributes to the timely detection of financial and operational deviations, increases transparency of business processes, and minimizes the risk of distortion of accounting data, thereby directly affecting the quality of strategic and tactical management of the enterprise.

Prospects for further research include the development of methodological tools to assess the effectiveness of continuous auditing and its integration into enterprises’ management reporting systems, which will contribute to improving the organization of accounting and analytical support and the quality of management decisions.