The role of the external auditor in reducing the risks of electronic presentation of financial reports

Abstract

The electronic presentation of financial data and reports is a new challenge for the accounting and auditing function. The electronic presentation of financial reports may be accompanied by many problems, including the credibility of these reports, and the users’ confidence in what is contained in them and in the accompanying disclosure. Therefore, the study addressed the role of the external auditor in reducing or limiting the risks of the electronic presentation of financial reports. By providing the external auditor with many confirmatory services, it will contribute to reducing the risks of electronic presentation of data published electronically. Perhaps the most important of these services is what is known as continuous auditing and services to confirm trust in Web Trust sites or the SysTrust system. Thus, the role of the external auditor is no longer limited to auditing reports and financial statements, expressing an opinion and providing Rather, it began to provide services represented by its assurance of ensuring information and its quality. Furthermore, it became responsible for providing this service to a new category other than shareholders.