Streamlining Audits by Breaking Old Habits

Outside help may be warranted, at least initially.

By Roman H. Kepczyk
Quantum of Paperless

Traditional audit practices use the previous year’s audit programs and processes updated for the current year as their standard operating plan. Eventually this can lead to a significant amount of “overauditing.” Breaking this habit is difficult as every level of staff has been trained in the manual processes and falls back on them when deadlines approach.

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Many firms have rightfully transitioned to digital “document container” applications such as CaseWare, CCH Engagement and Thomson Reuters Engagement CS. Not all of these firms have changed their approach to reviewing progress on the audit and the financial reporting on a computer screen in a digital format.

Posted on November 17, 2015

Roman H. Kepczyk

About the Author

Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA, serves as Director of Firm Technology Strategy for Right Networks, helping firms throughout North America effectively use information technology and accounting applications by optimizing their tax, audit, and administrative production workflows.

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He is a contributing author to
Bridging the Gap: Strengthening the Connection between Current and Emerging Leaders in the CPA Profession

He has spent the past 20 years consulting exclusively with CPA firms and prior to that, 10 years with the CPA firm of Henry & Horne, Arizona’s largest regional firm, where he was the partner in charge of the firm’s Management Advisory Services and PC Consulting practices. Roman also served as the firm’s administrative partner where he oversaw internal accounting, marketing, human resources, and was responsible for the creation and implementation of the firm’s technology plan and budget. He is a former member of the AICPA PCPS Executive Committee and a former Chairman of the AICPA’s Information Technology Executive Committee. He has served as a member of other AICPA initiatives, including the Special Committee on Enhanced Business Reporting, eBusiness Task Force, IT Best Practices, IT Research, IT Practices Committees, and Group of 100 projects. In addition, he is a former Chairman of the AICPA Top Technologies Task Force. Roman was named by INSIDE Public Accounting as one of the profession’s Most Recommended Consultants for each of the years from 2004 through 2014, CPA Practice Advisors Top 25 Thought Leaders for 2011 through 2015, and Accounting Today’s Most Influential People for the years 2000 through 2005, 2011, 2013 and 2014. Roman is also an Advisory Board Member to the Association for Accounting Administration and has served on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Society of CPAs. On a technical level, Roman is an AICPA Certified Information Technology Professional (CITP) and a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSS BB). He authored technology chapters for the PPC MAP Handbook, PPC Guide to Paperless Engagements, and sections of the AICPA MAP Handbook.

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