The Full form of AUDIT is Automated Data Input Terminal, or AUDIT stands for Automated Data Input Terminal, or the full name of given abbreviation is Automated Data Input Terminal.
AUDIT (Automated Data Input Terminal)
Automated Data Input Terminal is known as AUDIT, Computer programs used by the auditor to interrogate a client’s computer files; used mainly for substantive testing. They can be further categorised into:
Package programs (generalised audit software) – pre-prepared programs for which the auditor will specify detailed requirements; written to be used on different types of computer systems
Purpose-written programs – perform specific functions of the auditor’s choosing; the auditor may have no option but to have this software developed, since package programs cannot be adapted to the client’s system (however, this can be costly)
Enquiry programs – those that are part of the client’s system, often used to sort and print data, and which can be adapted for audit purposes, eg accounting software may have search facilities on some modules, that could be used for audit purposes to search for all customers with credit balances (on the customers’ module) or all inventory items exceeding a specified value (on the inventory module).
Using audit software, the auditor can scrutinise large volumes of data and present results that can then be investigated further. The software consists of program logic needed to perform most of the functions required by the auditor, such as:
- select a sample
- report exceptional items
- compare files
- analyse, summarise and stratify data.
The auditor needs to determine which of these functions they wish to use, and the selection criteria.
